Europe is the most visited region in the world and has always been a very popular destination for US travelers. As pandemic travel restrictions are lifted across Europe in 2022 and U.S. citizens once again plan future trips to the continent, they should be aware that rules for entering Europe’s Schengen Area will soon change. There is.
Originally scheduled to come into force on January 1, 2021, but subsequently delayed (many times) until 2024, the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) is now set to launch sometime in 2025 (more on the actual start date below). At that point, all U.S. citizens wishing to travel to Europe’s 27 Schengen Area countries will need to register for ETIAS or risk being turned away at the border.
Here’s everything you need to know about the new ETIAS process.
Why are entry requirements to Europe changing?
The European Union has decided to implement this new travel permit program to protect and strengthen its borders amid the growing threat of terrorism in Europe. It is hoped that by requiring visitors to register, the EU will be able to identify potential threats and risks associated with travelers entering participating countries before they arrive.
Which European countries do I need an ETIAS authorization to visit?
The new travel authorization applies to people entering Europe’s Schengen Area member states. Currently, this includes her 23 countries that are also members of the European Union, four non-EU countries, and three small European countries. This means that you will need to register to enter the following information:
Austria Belgium Croatia Czech Republic Denmark Estonia Finland France Germany Greece Hungary Iceland Italy Latvia Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Malta Monaco Netherlands Norway Poland Portugal San Marinos Slovakia Slovenia Spain Sweden Switzerland Vatican City
Romania and Bulgaria are not currently members of the Schengen Area, but are in the process of joining and will be subject to the same requirements.
However, there are still many European countries that are not part of the Schengen Area, primarily in Eastern Europe. This means you can travel to Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cyprus, Georgia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Serbia, Turkiye, and Ukraine without ETIAS registration.
Who needs to obtain an ETIAS authorization?
Once the ETIAS program goes into effect, U.S. citizens as well as travelers from 60 other countries will need an ETIAS visa waiver to travel to Schengen Area countries for short-term stays. The list of ETIAS eligible countries includes Canada, Mexico, Australia, and more. To travel to Europe’s Schengen Area countries, all travelers, regardless of age, require their own ETIAS authorization.
How do travelers apply for ETIAS?
According to ETIAS.com, a landing page for news and information about the new travel authorization process, once the ETIAS application is available online, it will only take about 10 minutes to fill out. To apply, you will need a valid passport, email address and a debit or credit card to pay the non-refundable application fee of 7 euros. This application fee applies to individuals from his age of 18 to her age of 70. If over 70 years old, he still needs ETIAS but will not be charged.
How much does it cost to enter Europe?
A non-refundable application fee of EUR 7 (US$ 7.43, based on the exchange rate at the time of publication) is required to obtain ETIAS registration. Only travelers under 18 or over 70 are exempt from fees (subject to ETIAS approval). There are no other fees associated with this program.
How long does the approval process take?
After you fill out the application online with your personal passport details and answer a series of security and health-related questions, your ETIAS application will be processed instantly and you will receive an email confirmation that your ETIAS has been approved within 96 hours. Masu. .
“Processing may take up to four weeks if additional documentation is required for some applicants. If your ETIAS has not yet been approved and you do not have any other travel authorization,” according to the ETIAS website. may not enter any country within the European Union.
Do I need to reapply each time I travel to Europe?
No, you do not need to reapply each time you travel to Europe. After applying for the first time, the ETIAS certification will be valid for 3 years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first. ETIAS is valid for short-term stays of up to 90 days for both leisure and business travelers, so he re-enters Europe multiple times within three years without renewal, as long as the length of stay remains unchanged. can do. Must not exceed 90 days within a 180 day period. Anyone wishing to study or work in Europe must apply for an appropriate work or study visa.
Does this mean I will need a visa to travel to Europe?
ETIAS is not a visa. This is a travel authorization requirement for visa-free visitors, similar to the United States’ Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA).
The new entry requirements are more accurately referred to as visa waivers. ETIAS, like ESTA, is a travel authorization for travelers who do not require a visa to visit Europe. Under ETIAS, these visitors ETIAS is mandatory for nationals of countries such as the United States, Australia, New Zealand and Canada, who will undergo additional security checks before being allowed to enter the EU,” ETIAS.com said.
In other words, ETIAS only pre-screens travelers who do not require a Schengen visa.
According to a fact sheet provided by the European Commission, “ETIAS travel authorization does not reintroduce visa-like obligations.” “There is no need to go to a consulate to apply, no biometric data is collected, and significantly less information is collected than the visa application process.”
Why was the launch of ETIAS delayed?
ETIAS was originally scheduled to enter into force on January 1, 2021, but was first delayed until January 1, 2023, and then (several times) until 2024. Adding to the anticipated adoption of ETIAS regulations is the fact that ETIAS is being developed closely with Entry/Exit Systems (EES). The EES was scheduled to start in May 2023, but has been postponed to 2024. EES is an electronic system that tracks visitors who cross borders, and its installation is a prerequisite for the commissioning of his ETIAS.
When exactly does ETIAS come into effect?
In October 2023, the European Commission announced the launch of Europe’s new technology-driven entry/exit system (EES) to track visitors across borders, and the updated schedule for Europe’s ETIAS travel authorization program. The new ETIAS travel entry requirements are expected to start in mid-2025, following the establishment of Europe’s new technology-driven EES, which is expected to come into force in autumn 2024, the commission said.
When ETIAS comes into force in 2025, there will be a six-month transition period. During that period, countries that require travel authorization must notify travelers of new regulations. They will be allowed to cross the border during that six-month period without ETIAS. The six-month transition period will be followed by a grace period, the length of which has not yet been determined. During the grace period, ETIAS requirements apply unless you are a traveler entering Europe for the first time after the end of the transition period.
This article was originally published in 2019. Updated on November 2, 2023 to include the latest information.
