U.S. passport holders looking to take a trip across the pond in 2024 will need to take heed of this new travel requirement.
What You Need to Know
Americans who previously did not need a visa to travel to Europe will now need to fill out an online application before visiting. This is to gain authorization from the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS), with travelers advised to complete the process "well in advance" of their travels.
While the American passport is currently the eighth most powerful in the world — allowing visa-free access to 184 countries across the globe — this may change next year with Europe adding new documentation requirements to U.S. passport holders.
Travelers will need to fill out an online application form with a fee of 7 Euros, or $ 7.79 USD from the official ETIAS website. Applications will be approved within minutes for most travelers allowing access to ETIAS-participating countries for 90 days within a 180-day period.
Minors under the age of 18 and applicants older than 70 years old can have the ETIAS fee waived.
Other applicants may be sent a decision within four days, with some taking up to 14 days for those individuals required to provide further documentation.
All application communications will be via email, including the ETIAS travel authorization itself which will be needed to both board the flight, and for entry into the country through border control. Travelers are strongly encouraged to ensure their personal and passport details are correct and matching – any mistakes will result in passengers being refused entry.
How Long is it Valid For, and What Do I Need to Bring With Me?
An ETIAS travel authorization is linked to a person’s travel document and is valid for three years or until their travel document expires – whichever comes first. Both the travel authorization and travel document are required to cross the border.
It is important to note that the ETIAS authorization does not guarantee automatic entry into the country. "Border guards will verify that you meet the entry conditions" and any traveler who does not meet the conditions "will be refused entry." This is all according to the European Union.
For more information on the requirements and an in-depth look at the process, visit the EU's official page on ETIAS.
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