Upcoming Changes to Travel Regulations for Europe

Europe, the world's most popular travel destination, is introducing additional steps for entry. U.S. citizens planning their 2025 trips to Europe should note that the entry rules for the Schengen Zone will soon be updated.

Originally set to launch on January 1, 2021, and delayed multiple times, the new European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) is now expected to roll out in the first half of 2025, with no specific date confirmed. Once implemented, all U.S. travelers to the 29 Schengen countries will need to register with ETIAS to avoid being denied entry at the border.

Here's a comprehensive guide to the new ETIAS procedure.

What is driving the change in entry requirements for Europe?

The European Union has introduced this new travel authorization program to enhance border security in response to rising terror threats. By mandating registration for visitors, the EU aims to identify potential risks associated with travelers before they arrive in member countries.

Which countries in Europe will require ETIAS authorization for entry?

The new travel authorization applies to anyone entering the Schengen Zone, which currently comprises 23 EU countries, six non-EU nations, and three micro-states—totaling 32 countries and territories. This means you must register to enter:

• Austria
• Belgium
• Bulgaria
• Croatia
• Czech Republic
• Denmark
• Estonia
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• Greece
• Hungary
• Iceland
• Italy
• Latvia
• Liechtenstein
• Lithuania
• Luxembourg
• Malta
• Monaco
• Netherlands
• Norway
• Poland
• Portugal
• Romania
• San Marino
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
• Spain
• Sweden
• Switzerland
• Vatican City

However, many European countries, particularly in Eastern Europe, are not part of the Schengen Zone. Thus, you can visit Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cyprus, Georgia, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Serbia, Türkiye, and Ukraine without needing ETIAS registration.

Who is required to obtain ETIAS authorization?

U.S. citizens, along with travelers from 60 other nations, will need an ETIAS visa waiver for short visits to Schengen Zone countries once the program launches. Eligible countries for ETIAS include Canada, Mexico, Australia, and several others. All travelers, regardless of age, must secure ETIAS approval to enter the Schengen Zone in Europe.

What is the process for applying for ETIAS?

When the ETIAS application becomes available online, filling out the form should take about 10 minutes, according to ETIAS.com, a resource for news about the travel authorization process. Applicants will need a valid U.S. passport, an email address, and a debit or credit card to pay the nonrefundable seven-euro fee, which applies to individuals aged 18 to 70. Those under 18 or over 70 must still obtain ETIAS but will not incur any charges.

What are the costs associated with entering Europe?

To obtain ETIAS registration, travelers must pay a nonrefundable application fee of seven euros (approximately US$7.75 based on current conversion rates). The fee is waived for travelers under 18 or over 70, although they must still secure ETIAS approval. No additional fees are associated with the program.

What is the duration of the ETIAS processing?

Once you complete your online application with your passport details and respond to various security and health questions, your ETIAS application will be processed right away. You can expect to receive an email confirmation of your ETIAS approval within 96 hours.

“We highly recommend obtaining your ETIAS travel authorization before purchasing tickets and making hotel reservations. Most applications are processed within minutes, and at most within 96 hours. However, some applicants may need to provide further information or documentation, or participate in an interview with national authorities, which could take an additional 30 days,” states the European Union in the FAQ section of its ETIAS page.

Will you need to reapply for ETIAS for every trip to Europe?

No, you won’t need to reapply for ETIAS after every trip to Europe. Once you obtain your ETIAS authorization, it will be valid for three years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. Since ETIAS allows for short stays of up to 90 days for leisure or business, you can reenter Europe multiple times during this three-year span without needing to renew it, provided each stay doesn’t exceed 90 days within a 180-day period. If you intend to study or work in Europe, you must apply for the appropriate visa.

Does this mean a visa is required for traveling to Europe?

ETIAS is not a visa; it’s a travel authorization for those who do not need a visa to visit, similar to the U.S. Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA).

The new entry requirement is more accurately described as a visa waiver. ETIAS functions like ESTA, providing travel authorization for travelers not requiring a visa to enter Europe. Under ETIAS, these visitors will face additional security checks before being allowed into the EU. This requirement will be mandatory for citizens from countries like the United States, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada, as stated by ETIAS.com.

In essence, ETIAS is designed to pre-screen travelers who do not require a Schengen visa.

“An ETIAS travel authorization does not impose visa-like requirements,” states a fact sheet from the European Commission. “Applicants are not required to visit a consulate, no biometric data will be collected, and the amount of information requested is significantly less than what is required for a visa application.”

What caused the delay in launching ETIAS?

Originally set to take effect on January 1, 2021, ETIAS was postponed first to January 1, 2023, and then multiple times until 2024. It is now expected to be operational in the first half of 2025, due to delays in the adoption of the ETIAS regulation and its close development alongside the Entry/Exit System (EES). The EES, which was intended to launch in May 2023, is now set for November 2024. This electronic system will monitor visitors as they cross borders, and its implementation is a prerequisite for ETIAS to become operational.

When will ETIAS officially start?

The ETIAS travel entry requirement is now projected to be implemented during the first half of 2025, after the rollout of Europe’s new EES, which is scheduled for the fall of 2024.

When ETIAS is implemented, there will be a six-month transitional period. During this time, countries that require the travel authorization will need to notify travelers about the new regulations. Travelers will still be permitted to cross borders without ETIAS during this period. After the transitional phase, a grace period will follow, though its duration has yet to be specified. During the grace period, the ETIAS requirement will apply, except for travelers entering Europe for the first time since the transitional period ended.

This article was initially published in 2019 and was last updated on September 9, 2024, to reflect the latest information.