Americans planning a trip to Europe should be aware of a change set to take effect next year. Starting in early 2024, U.S. travelers to Europe will need to register for ETIAS travel authorization before making the trip. It will affect the visitation of 27 countries and cost about $8.
What is the ETIAS Travel Authorization?
It’s called the European Travel Information and Authorization System or ETIAS. Currently, many countries, including the United States, visit European countries visa-free. But starting next year, over 60 countries–including the United States and Canada–will need ETIAS authorization to visit the 27-countries in the Schengen Area. This area encompasses most of continental Europe, plus Cyprus, Bulgaria and Romania. Notably, the requirement will not be in effect for the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland.
ETIAS authorization is NOT a visa but a visa waiver that helps member countries know who is entering their borders. The European Commission says ETIAS is designed “for the identification of security, irregular migration or high epidemic risks posed by visa-exempt visitors.”
Travelers will get authorization by logging onto the ETIAS website and providing some personal details like an address and phone number, any criminal history and information about their travel plans.
The process will cost applicants 7 euros, or about $8. Only travelers 18 to 70 years old will have to pay the fee, but every traveler must get authorization in advance. ETIAS approval will be linked to the traveler’s passport, which will be checked before they depart for their destination.
No concrete timeline has been set for the launch. However, when the system is in place, online authorization should take only minutes for most people. Approval may take longer for some as the information is cross-checked with government databases.
This authorization will allow visitors to stay up to 90 days within a 180-day period. It will last three years or until the applicant’s passport expires, whichever comes first. Any travelers looking to stay longer than 90 days will have to apply for a visa.
For more information on ETIAS travel authorization, click here.