Thirty European countries have postponed the implementation of the ETIAS travel authorization system for U.S. and other international travelers until 2025. The photo is from Krakow, Poland.
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New requirements for U.S. travelers to Europe that were scheduled to take effect next year have also been pushed back to 2025.
This requirement (online travel authorization through the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS)) applies to visitors to 30 European countries, including popular destinations such as France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Portugal, and Spain.
Americans are not allowed to visit without permission.
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As recently as late last week, the European Union had telegraphed that the ETIAS program would start in 2024, but it has now been postponed to next year.
According to an announcement after the Council of the European Union meeting on October 19-20, the system will be “ready for operation in spring 2025.”
European Commission interior affairs spokeswoman Anitta Hipper confirmed the new schedule, but did not say why the start date was postponed.
The European Union website for ETIAS has similarly updated its wording, citing “mid-2025” as the new official start date. According to the EU website, no applications are currently being collected as the program is not yet operational.
In 2016, the European Commission, the EU’s executive arm, proposed establishing ETIAS to tighten security checks for people from more than 60 countries (including the United States) who can visit Europe’s Schengen area without a visa. Europe’s new system is similar to the one introduced in the United States in 2008.
Travel authorization requirements (which cost a non-refundable fee of 7 euros per person, or about $7.40 at current exchange rates) have already been postponed multiple times. It was originally scheduled to take effect in 2021, then 2023, 2024, and now 2025.
Processing may take up to 1 month in some cases
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Application fees are waived for those under 18 years of age or over 70 years of age.
The EU says most applications are processed within minutes, or at the latest within four days. However, travelers who are asked to provide additional information or documents or meet with national authorities may take longer, potentially adding up to an additional 30 days, the EU said. .
“We strongly recommend that you obtain an ETIAS travel authorization before purchasing tickets or booking hotels,” the EU website says.
ETIAS certification is valid for three years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first. Travelers with a valid her ETIAS do not need to apply for a new her ETIAS every time they visit Europe.
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