There are many countries that are not in the European Union (EU) whose citizens can enter the EU Schengen Zone without needing a visa. Specifically, there are currently 63 countries that are not in the EU but are visa-free.
Citizens of these countries are allowed to go into countries in the Schengen Zone for business or travel purposes for up to 90 days. During these 90 days, these visitors cannot work or study but can engage in business and tourism activities.
In addition, recent security concerns with terrorism and the migrant crisis have called for better management of who is entering EU borders. The EU has continuously declared its goal of making travelling within its borders a more secure experience.
To reduce procedures and wait times and address security concerns, the European Commission (EC) has come up with a solution – ETIAS.
This article will contain all the information you need regarding this new system and whether you qualify for it.
What is ETIAS?
ETIAS stands for European Travel Information and Authorization System. It is a completely electronic system that allows and keeps track of visitors from countries who do not need a visa to enter the Schengen Zone. In a way, it resembles the U.S. Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), which serves a similar purpose.
Also, there should be no confusion that there are countries in the EU that are not members of the Schengen Zone, which the ETIAS authorization doesn’t prevent you from entering.
The legal procedures to pass the ETIAS started in 2016, and the system is expected to be fully operational in 2024.
The ETIAS will undergo a detailed security check of each applicant to determine whether they can be allowed to enter any Schengen Zone country. While citizens of countries who do not need a visa for travel purposes of up to 90 days in the EU do not need to go through a long process of applying for the visa, the ETIAS will make sure that these people are not a security threat. This travel authorization system will gather, keep track of, and update necessary information regarding visitors to determine whether it is safe for them to enter Schengen countries.
The ETIAS, besides being used for business and tourist purposes, will also allow people to visit the Schengen countries for medical and transit reasons. In addition, it will be mandatory for all countries that are Schengen visa-free.
Why ETIAS Authorisation?
In his 2016 State of the Union Address, President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, said the following:
We need to know who is crossing our borders. This way we will know who is travelling to Europe before they even get here.
The main reason for the approval of the ETIAS authorization is security. With the increased risk of travellers worldwide, the EU wants to ensure safe travel in its countries. The ETIAS will decrease security concerns substantially through its information and data-gathering systems. This means that the ETIAS will detect if a person is a threat in any way to the security of Schengen countries. This will lead to the person being denied entry and avoiding the threat of being present inside EU borders. It will basically deal with a problem before it is even there.
However, besides making travelling more secure, the ETIAS authorization will also assist the EU countries and all travellers in the following ways:
- Reduce procedures and application times
- Improve the management of EU country borders
- Assist in detecting and decreasing crime and terrorism
- Impede irregular migration
- Reinforce the visa liberalization policy of the EU
All in all, the ETIAS authorization will make travelling to the EU less of a hassle and a much safer experience.
THE TRAVEL AUTHORISATION SYSTEM WILL:
European Countries That Will Require ETIAS:
These are the European countries that will require a valid ETIAS upon arrival at their borders:
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.
>> ETIAS Member Countries
Who Will Need ETIAS?
As mentioned, the ETIAS targets citizens of countries who can enter the EU zone visa-free. As such, there are 63 countries will need to get ETIAS authorization.
>> List of Countries Required to Apply for ETIAS
How Will the ETIAS System Work?
The ETIAS system will be simple to use and save time for applicants and processing.
Those who want to get approval will have to follow these steps to apply for ETIAS:
Filling out the application form
The ETIAS application is expected to take about 10 minutes to fill out. It will be online, so you will not have to go through paperwork. Depending on your country of citizenship, it will present you with several fields to fill. You must give the following information:
- Biometric information such as:
- First name
- Last name
- Last name at birth
- Date of birth
- Place of birth
- Information regarding your citizenship
- Address
- Email and phone number
- Education and work experience
- First EU country you intend to visit
- Background and eligibility questions will inquire about your medical condition, travel to war countries or places where you were deported or rejected, as well as criminal records
- For minors, the legal guardian must apply for ETIAS
- For family members of EU citizens from other countries, you must submit proof of relationship, residence card, and other background information
Submitting the application
When you complete the application, you must pay and submit the fee. The system will do the following:
- Check if the information you gave was correct
- Check your eligibility
- Check your risk factors
You will be approved if what you filled out on the application form is correct and you are eligible and not risky for the ETIAS. This whole procedure is expected to be completed in only a few minutes.
However, the application will be manually processed if there is a hit from the ETIAS. The manual processing is expected to take about 96 hours (4 days), or a maximum of 2 weeks.
How Much Will ETIAS Cost?
The ETIAS will not burden your finances a lot. It is planned to have the ETIAS cost only €7 for each application. This is only valid for adults over 18 years old, as those under 18 will not have to pay any fees. You can pay the fee by debit or credit card. Immediately after you complete the payment, the ETIAS authorization will start processing.
FAQ About ETIAS
Below you will find answers to commonly asked questions regarding ETIAS authorization.
How long is the ETIAS valid?
If approved, the ETIAS might be valid for 3 years or until the end of the validity of the travel document registered during the application, whichever comes first. Whether you will get the first period of validity or the second depends on the system’s evaluation of your information and risk.
Can my ETIAS application be denied?
Yes, any ETIAS application can be denied if there is anything wrong with it.
A travel authorisation can also be rejected in cases where there are reasonable and serious doubts about the authenticity of the information given and the supporting documents submitted by the person applying.
>> Main Reasons Why ETIAS Applications May Be Rejected – and How to Appeal a Negative Decision
What documents do I need for the ETIAS authorization?
The only document you will need to apply for the ETIAS is your valid passport. Your passport might be required to have this information:
- Your digital photograph which is not glued to the passport
- A machine-readable passport – which is found below your passport picture and has two lines of numbers, letters, and symbols
- Electronic passport chip – which is not necessarily mandatory but would be an advantage. This chip can be found on the cover page of your passport at the bottom.
Upon submitting an ETIAS application, some travellers may be asked to submit additional documents.
Who will need to submit extra documents for ETIAS?
Upon the submission of an ETIAS application, some applicants might be asked to submit extra documents, as the ETIAS National Unit of the Member State responsible may deem the information provided by the applicant insufficient.
The applicant will receive the list of the additional documents he/she has to send through an e-mail.
The additional documents should be provided directly to the ETIAS National Unit of the Member State responsible through the secure account service within ten days of the date of receipt of the request.
Can I enter any EU country with ETIAS authorization?
To use the ETIAS authorization correctly, you must first pass through the first country you stated in your application. If you were planning to go through Germany, Belgium, and Austria, and you stated in your application that the first country you will visit is Germany, you must go through it before you visit Belgium and Austria. After you enter your first country, you can visit any other country in the Schengen Zone for 90 days.
However, just because you have the ETIAS does not necessarily guarantee you entry into the EU countries. This is at the discretion of the border authorities.
There are countries in the EU, which are not in the Schengen Zone, and you cannot enter them with ETIAS authorization.
How does ETIAS check my information?
ETIAS will be connected to many databases which can verify your information within minutes. That is why it’s important for all applicants to give honest responses and not try giving false information. If you are caught giving fraudulent information to the ETIAS system, you will be denied authorization. In addition, if your ETIAS is approved, but you are later found with incorrect or false information, your ETIAS will be revoked.
How long does it take to complete the ETIAS application?
As stated, the ETIAS application is expected to only take about 10 minutes to fill. After 10 minutes, you will receive a notification that your session has timed out and you might be asked to start from the beginning. To avoid this, try to go through the application carefully and save your information.
Do I need to attend an interview for ETIAS?
As a rule, an interview is not required for obtaining an ETIAS. Yet, very few applicants may have to attend in-person interviews in order for their ETIAS application to be fully processed. This will happen when there are doubts regarding the information or documentation provided by the applicant.
The ETIAS National Unit of the Member State responsible might invite the applicant for an interview.
The applicant should be notified of the interview through the e-mail service, within 72 hours of his/her submission of additional information or documents. The interview shall take place within ten days of the date of the invitation. In cases when the applicant fails to attend the interview, the application shall be refused.
What if I am not eligible for the ETIAS?
All citizens of countries in the table above (countries which can enter the EU without visas) are eligible to apply for the ETIAS. If you are not eligible for this travel authorization, it means that you are not a citizen of those countries. This means that you must obtain a Schengen Visa to enter the EU countries.
Do I need ETIAS if I have a Schengen Visa?
No, if you have a Schengen Visa, then you will not need an ETIAS authorization. You can present your visa to the border authorities when you enter the Schengen Zone countries. When your visa expires, you can apply for the ETIAS if you are eligible.
Will British citizens be required to have ETIAS authorization?
All UK nationals must apply for ETIAS travel authorization by 2024, when the scheme becomes fully operational.
UK residents who are passport holders of one of the countries with which the EU has a visa regime in place are not eligible to apply for an ETIAS despite their residency in Britain. They will instead have to apply for a regular Schengen visa.
How many times can I enter the EU with an ETIAS?
You can enter the Schengen member states as many times as you want, for as long as your ETIAS is valid, and you have not stayed more than 90 days in a 180-day period.
Are ESTA and ETIAS the same? What are their differences?
ESTA is the US equivalent of the EU ETIAS. While ETIAS stands for European Travel Information and Authorization, ESTA stands for Electronic System for Travel Authorization.
You will not be able to enter the US with an ETIAS, just the same as an ESTA holder is not permitted to enter the EU without having an ETIAS or Schengen Visa. US citizens, which are permitted to enter Europe visa-free, starting from 2024, will have to obtain an ETIAS prior to their trip to the Schengen Zone.
Is ETIAS a Visa?
No. The ETIAS authorisation is not a visa.
Nationals of visa liberalisation countries will continue to travel to the EU without a visa but will simply be required to obtain a travel authorisation via ETIAS prior to their travel.
ETIAS will be a simple, fast and visitor-friendly system, which will, in more than 95% of cases, result in a positive answer within a few minutes.
An ETIAS travel authorisation does not reintroduce visa-like obligations. There is no need to go to a consulate to make an application, no biometric data is collected, and significantly less information is gathered than during a visa application procedure. Whereas, as a general rule, a Schengen visa procedure can take up to 15 days and sometimes be extended up to 30 or 60 days, the online ETIAS application only takes a few minutes to fill in. The validity will be for a period of three years, significantly longer than the validity of a Schengen visa. An ETIAS authorisation will be valid for an unlimited number of entries.
Do I also need an ETIAS if I have a Schengen Visa?
If you have a Schengen Visa, that means you are not part of the list of visa-exempt countries. Therefore, you will not need ETIAS authorization. You can present your visa to the border authorities when you enter the Schengen Zone countries. When your visa expires, you can apply for the ETIAS if you are eligible.
Do I need an ETIAS visa if I already have a long-term visa from one of the Member States?
Since a long-term visa issued by one of the member states gives you the right to move throughout the whole Schengen, you will not need to obtain a travel authorization for as long as you have the visa.
Do infants and children need ETIAS?
Every traveller, even infants and elders, will need to present a travel authorization upon their arrival in Schengen to be permitted to enter. However, people under the age of 18 are exempt from paying the fee.
Can a travel authorization be revoked?
Yes, a travel authorization can be revoked or annulled if the conditions for issuing the travel authorization no longer apply or if the travel authorization holder is found to have violated any of the ETIAS rules.
What is the ETIAS watchlist?
This list consists of data on people suspected of having committed or been part of a criminal offence (such as terrorism). The ETIAS watchlist will be established based on the Member States and Europol information.
When will ETIAS be implemented?
ETIAS is expected to be operational in 2024.
Latest updates about ETIAS
- EU Postpones Launch of ETIAS to 2024 – 24.02.2023
- ETIAS Moves Forward as Fundamental Rights Guidance Board Starts Its Work – 29.11.2022
- EU on ETIAS Scammers: We Have Not Issued Any Guidance – 21.11.2022
- Frontex Intensively Working on ETIAS Central Unit – Calls It a “Revolution in Travel” – 18.11.2022
- EU Warns Travellers From Visa-Free Countries Over ETIAS Scammers – 16.11.2022
- EU Postpones Launch of ETIAS to November 2023 – 03.08.2023
- – 19.10.2021
- – 15.10.2021
- 1.4 Billion People Obliged to Apply for EU Travel Authorization by End of 2022, EU Border Agency Says– 13.10.2021
- – 03.08.2021
- Development of ETIAS System for Advance Checks of Visa-Free Travellers Moves Forward Despite COVID-19 – 09.06.2021
- – 19.03.2021
- EU Confirms: COVID-19 Hasn’t Affected Preparations for Entry Into Operation of ETIAS Scheme – 07.10.2020
- EU Commission Reveals New Details on ETIAS Travel Authorization – 09.03.2020
- ETIAS Travel Authorization for Britons Won’t Be Mandatory in 2021 – 09.03.2020
- ETIAS is being delayed for 2022. It won’t be mandatory until 2023 – 08.03.2020
- ETIAS Won’t Apply to Russian Diplomatic Passport Holders – 24.02.2020
- Confirmed: Citizens of Four European Microstates Will Not Need the New EU Travel Authorization – 06.02.2020
- ETIAS Regulation enters into force – 09.10.2018
- European Council adopts regulation on the establishment of ETIAS – 05.09.2018
- European Parliament has given its final agreement to establish ETIAS – 05.07.2018
- EU Ambassadors Approve Electronic Travel Authorization System for Third Countries – 25.04.2018
- ETIAS about to improve visa-free travelling pre-entry control – 19.10.2017
- European travel information and authorisation system – Council agrees negotiating position – 10.06.2017
- Non-EU travellers now will face a €5 fee to enter the passport-free Schengen Zone –16.11.2016
- Brussels prepares EU-wide scheme for visa-free travel authorisation–27.08.2016
* Special administrative regions of the People’s Republic of China
** Entities and Territorial Authorities that are not recognised as states by at least one Member State
Infographics: © European Commission
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FAQs
What will the ETIAS questions be? ›
All of them will focus on your criminal record. You'll have to inform authorities of any convictions for serious criminal transgressions over the past 10 years, including terrorism, sexual exploitation of children, human trafficking, trafficking of drugs, murder, and sexual assaults.
What is the European Travel Information and Authorisation System or ETIAS? ›The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) is a system for granting authorisation to travel to those countries of the European Union which belong to the Schengen Area. The final decision on crossing the external border lies with the EU Member State of first destination.
Do I need ETIAS to travel to Europe now? ›Currently, U.S. citizens can freely enter the Schengen Zone (an area of 26 countries covering much of Europe) for up to 90 days for business and/or tourism purposes. End of 2023, all U.S. citizens traveling to the 26 Schengen Zone countries will need to register with ETIAS or will risk being denied entry.
How long does it take to get ETIAS approved? ›How long does it take to get ETIAS approval? Once an ETIAS application is complete and submitted, most responses come the same day. If there is a delay for some reason ETIAS approval can take up to four days.
Does ETIAS apply to Americans? ›In the year 2024, citizens from the United States of America will be required to complete an ETIAS application prior to boarding an aircraft, sea carrier, or coach vehicle for Europe, and this includes travellers who will only be transiting in Europe en route to other destinations.
Do I need to print my ETIAS? ›ETIAS Application Supporting Documents
You will not need any printed document like you do when applying for a visa, which saves you a lot of time, money and nerve. All you will need is your passport which must be valid at the time you are arriving in Europe and beyond your planned departure.
ETIAS and Brexit
The EU will introduce a new visa waiver for visa-exempt non-EU citizens in November 2023.
ETIAS will only cost €7 for each application. The fees are applicable to adults between the ages of 18 and 70. Minors and elder travellers (aged 70+) will not have to pay any fees.
What do US citizens need to travel to Europe? ›With a valid U.S. passport, you can stay up to 90 days for tourism or business during any 180-day period. Do not overstay! You must wait an additional 90 days before applying to re-enter the Schengen area. To stay longer than 90 days, you must have a visa.
Can US citizens travel to Europe without visa? ›Although some U.S. tourists don't need to apply for a Schengen Visa, you must apply for the ETIAS. Luckily, this would only be applicable from 2023. The European Travel Information and Authorization System is based on the U.S. Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA).
What countries do US citizens need visas for? ›
- What Are The Countries That Require A Visa For U.S. Citizens?
- Travel To Australia From The US.
- Travel To Bolivia From The US.
- Travel To China From The US.
- Travel To Egypt From The US.
- Travel To India From The US.
- Travel To Indonesia From The US.
- Travel To Iran From The US.
As emphasised above, applying for an ETIAS, is so much easier than for a visa. Travellers will need to fill in some information, upload a scan of their passport, their photo, and be done. The whole application procedures are expected to take about ten minutes.
Do I need an ETIAS to travel to France from us? ›From November 2023, US citizens will need to register with ETIAS to travel to France. ETIAS is not a visa, it is a travel authorisation for visa-exempt non-EU citizens, including Americans.
Is ETIAS working now? ›The legal procedures to pass the ETIAS started in 2016, and the system is expected to be fully operational in 2024. The ETIAS will undergo a detailed security check of each applicant to determine whether they can be allowed to enter any Schengen Zone country.
Do I need an ETIAS visa now? ›In the year 2024, citizens from the United Kingdom will be required to complete an ETIAS application prior to boarding an aircraft, sea carrier, or coach vehicle for Europe, and this includes travellers who will only be transiting in Europe en route to other destinations.
What are the requirements for ETIAS? ›ETIAS Travel Requirements
To apply for the ETIAS, you'll need a valid passport and email address, Travelers between 18 and 70 will need a debit or credit card to pay for the non-refundable service fee. The application is quick and shouldn't take you much time.
- ETIAS goes live. ETIAS will be launched in 2024.
- Meet the requirements. To be eligible, foreign nationals must be from a visa-exempt country. ...
- Apply for ETIAS. ...
- Complete the ETIAS form. ...
- Pay the ETIAS fees. ...
- ETIAS processing. ...
- Application decision. ...
- Verification when boarding.
Apply for the ETIAS visa waiver with a criminal record
On the ETIAS application for there will be some security questions regarding criminal activity and all applicants will be screened by eU-LISA (the department of the EU responsible for criminal data management).
A majority will be processed within 20 minutes. However, some applications may take longer, even up to 30 days. Therefore, it is important to apply for ETIAS travel authorisation well ahead of time.
Do I need ETIAS for connecting flights? ›Travelers of all ages from countries who are eligible to enter the European Schengen Area without a visa will need an ETIAS travel authorization when visiting any of the Schengen member countries as well as those in the process of joining the zone. This includes transit passengers. Note: ETIAS does not replace visas.
Do you need the EU Digital Covid certificate to travel? ›
The EU Digital COVID Certificate should facilitate free movement inside the EU. It is not a pre-condition to free movement, which is a fundamental right in the EU. Without a certificate, you might however be subject to restrictions like testing or quarantine. Member States can introduce travel restrictions.
Will you be charged to visit Europe from 2023? ›Next year, travelers to Europe will find an unexpected addition to their trip: an entrance fee. Beginning in November 2023, U.S. visitors to the European Union will be required to pay a seven-euro charge (about $7.13), and must apply for approval before they arrive via a website or app.
What are the new rules for travel to Europe 2023? ›The EES is connected to the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS). This new scheme obligates non-EU citizens who do not require an EU visa to gain travel authorisation to enter the bloc. The visa waiver will be mandatory for anyone wishing to visit the Schengen Area short term.
Do US citizens need an ETIAS for Greece? ›Many of these citizens currently do not need any visa or waiver to enter the EU. However, beginning in November 2023, this will change. Once the system is in place, these citizens of non-EU countries will have to apply for ETIAS Greece before entering the country.
Do US citizens need ETIAS for Switzerland? ›Non-EU citizens will need an ETIAS visa waiver for Switzerland in order to enter the country and travel throughout the Schengen Area.
What is the cost of ESTA visa for USA? ›Payment method: Fee for application is $21.00 USD. Valid payment methods include MasterCard, VISA, American Express, Discover (JCB or Diners Club only), and PayPal.
How much is entry fee to Europe? ›Initially starting May 2023, but now delayed until November 2023, Americans between the ages of 18 to 70 entering Europe will have to pay a €7 fee, which comes to about $7.42. The new fee is part of the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS), which will be used to increase security at borders.
Do U.S. citizens need a negative Covid test when returning from Europe? ›Before You Travel to the United States
Before boarding a flight to the United States, you are required to show a negative COVID-19 test result taken no more than 2 days before travel.
Yes, the requirement to present a negative COVID-19 viral test result or documentation recovery from COVID-19 also applies to air travel to US territories.
Should you carry your passport with you in Europe? ›Yes Or No – Carry Your Passport in Europe? In general, across Europe, you should carry either your passport or a copy of it. You are required by law to have a valid form of identification.
Will Americans need to register to travel to Europe in 2023? ›
In mid-to-late 2023, U.S. citizens and nationals of over 60 other countries will need an electronic travel authorization to visit much of Europe. Travelers to any Schengen-zone country will have to register with a European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS).
Why US citizens don't need visa for Europe? ›The reason? The United States has reciprocal agreements in place that permit Americans to travel to most European nations (and certain other countries, such as Australia) without a visa in exchange for the citizens of those nations enjoying the same rights.
Who needs ESTA travel approval? ›Effective October 1, 2022, all Visa Waiver Program (VWP) travelers intending to enter the United States by land will be required to obtain an approved Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) prior to application for admission at land border ports of entry.
What is the strongest passport in the world? ›Japan has the world's most powerful passport for the 5th year in a row. Holders can visit 193 out of 227 global destinations visa-free. South Korea and Singapore are tied in 2nd place on the index, with a visa-free/visa-on-arrival score of 192. Germany and Spain are joint 3rd, with visa-free access to 190 destinations.
Which country is visa free for US citizen? ›| CONTINENT | COUNTRY | DURATION OF STAY |
|---|---|---|
| North America | Antigua and Barbuda | 180 days |
| South America | Argentina | 90 days |
| Asia | Armenia | 180 days |
| Oceania | Australia | 90 days (valid from the first date of entry, recurring every 12 month period) |
7 on the list, last year's Global Citizen Solutions Global Passport Index named the U.S. passport the world's most powerful based on its ranking of investment, quality of life and enhanced mobility indices in 2022.
What questions will be asked on ETIAS? ›...
The types of criminal activity that must be disclosed on an ETIAS application include:
- Criminal damage.
- Terrorism.
- Violent crimes.
- Drug trafficking.
- People trafficking.
- Sexual assault.
Luxembourg is one of the easiest European countries to get a visa, with one of the lowest rejection rates, specifically 1.3%. The total number of applications in 2021 was 2,384, from which 2,296 were issued.
Do US citizens need a visa for France in 2023? ›Visa requirements for American passport holders
American passport holders are not required to obtain a visa prior to visiting France for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
With the arrival of ETIAS expected in 2023, passport holders of 59 of the 62 countries that currently travel visa-free, will require an ETIAS waiver to travel to Europe for the purposes of tourism, business, or transit for a 90 days stay in any 180-day period.
What documents do I need to travel to Paris? ›
A valid passport issued less than 10 years before and valid for at least 3 months after the envisaged departure date; A valid visa, if required; Proof of accommodation covering the whole duration of the stay (hotel reservation and/or certificate of staying with a relative validated in the town hall);
Is ETIAS already implemented? ›The European Union has recently revised the introduction of the ETIAS. It will now be launched in 2024, which is a push-back from the previously planned 2020, 2022 and 2023 launches. ETIAS stands for EU Travel Information & Authorisation System.
Will ETIAS only ask about previous 10 years convictions? ›The ETIAS form will ask applicants to disclose convictions relating to specific offences over the previous 10 years (20 years for terrorist offences) and we would therefore expect most applicants to be automatically approved.
Can I travel to Europe if I have a criminal record? ›If you are travelling to Europe with a criminal record it will probably not cause you any problems. It is possible for a past conviction to prevent you from entering any country, but generally speaking, Europe is a tolerant, accessible region to travel to.
Can a US citizen with a felony travel to Europe? ›A U.S. ex-felon can travel to Europe, but beginning in 2023, they will have to register for an ETIAS visa waiver. The application process will include security checks. The reason for this procedure is to ensure safety for European citizens in the wake of terrorist threats in recent years.
Do US citizens need visa to enter Europe? ›Although some U.S. tourists don't need to apply for a Schengen Visa, you must apply for the ETIAS. Luckily, this would only be applicable from 2023. The European Travel Information and Authorization System is based on the U.S. Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA).
What documents do I need to travel to Europe? ›Citizens of the United States with a valid US passport can travel to 27 European member countries of the Schengen Area for a maximum of 90 days without having to apply for or obtain a Schengen visa for short-term tourism or a business trip.
Can I apply for ETIAS now? ›Travellers that are currently able to visit EU Schengen countries without a visa, will not need to apply for ETIAS until 2024. However, other travellers requiring a Schengen Visa to visit Europe for tourism, business or transit purposes will be unaffected by ETIAS.