A last-minute trip to Europe is as romantic as it sounds. Not only is the spontaneity thrilling, but European countries lend themselves very well to travelers who appreciate local customs and enjoy exploring new places without a rigid itinerary. Often, impulsively turning down a cobblestoned street will lead you to an exceptional hole-in-the-wall wine bar, a short-notice boutique hotel booking will be the best place you’ve ever stayed, or a chance encounter with a local will lead to a life-long friendship. But come 2025, you will need to do a little planning before you cross the pond. Next year, the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) will come into effect. This rule will require visitors from visa-exempt countries to obtain a travel authorization before entering 30 European countries and this includes US travelers.
Traveling to Europe Next Year? You’ll Need to Plan Ahead to Follow This New Rule
Although the exact date for implementing ETIAS has not been officially announced yet, it is expected to be sometime in early 2025.
The application process for ETIAS is expected to be simple and straightforward. Travelers will be able to submit their applications online through a secure website. The application will require basic personal information, such as name, date of birth, passport details, your parent’s name(s), occupation, criminal history, travel plans, etc. – very similar to what visitors to the US need to do for an ESTA.
The application will cost around $8. Your passport must be valid for at least three months after your departure date from Europe and the issue date can not be more than ten years.
ETIAS will be required for every passenger, so even if you’re traveling with kids, you’ll need to apply on their behalf to link their personal passport to the authorization.
You will need an ETIAS for the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.
Now, here’s the little snag. It’s recommended that you apply for your ETIAS well in advance before your planned trip to Europe. The application processing time is expected to be relatively quick, but it could take up to 30 days.
But once your application has been approved, you’ll receive an email, and you’re good to go. This documentation covers you for three years. Within this time, you can come and go as you wish, as long as you respect the limit of your authorized stay (90 days for a US tourist).
You will also need to declare your travel plans when you apply. This needs to include your first port of call. So, that means you need to have at least your flight tickets to your initial destination. However, when you receive your authorization to travel, you can amend your plans to include one or more of the 30 European countries that require an ETIAS.
Hopefully, the process will be as efficient as the US ESTA application, and getting used to it will become second nature. Keep in mind that you will have three years on one ETIAS; that’s a lot of time to fit in some impulsive exploring.
Check out the European Union’s helpful FAQs for more details on the ETIAS application process. 