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The new travel authorization applies to people who travel to any member country of Europe’s Schengen Zone (an area comprising 26 European states that officially abolished all passport and all other types of border control at their mutual borders in 1985) Currently, this zone includes 22 countries that are also members of the EU, four non-EU countries, plus three European micro-states. What this means is that as of January 2021, you need to register to enter:
Austria
Belgium
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Iceland
Italy
Latvia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
Netherlands
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
MICRO-STATES
San Marino
Vatican City
Monaco
Note: Though Romania, Bulgaria, Croatia, and Cyprus aren’t currently Schengen countries, they are working toward joining this group and will be subject to the same requirements once they do.
Which countries will NOT require the new ETIAS authroization in 2021?
Many European nations, mostly in Eastern Europe, aren’t part of the Schengen Zone. Without ETIAS authorization,you will still be able to travel to:
Albania
Andorra
Armenia
Azerbaijan
Belarus
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Georgia
Kosovo
Macedonia
Moldova
Montenegro
Serbia
Turkey
Ukraine
Who else will need ETIAS authorization?
This new program isn’t limited to U.S. citizens. In fact, 62 other countries require citizens to have an ETIAS when visiting countries in the Schengen Zone. The list of ETIAS-eligible countries includes Canada, Mexico, Australia, and many more.
The bottom line:
The short answer to “Is a visa required for travel to Europe in 2021?” is no. Don’t let this new requirement dampen your plans for a European vacation. Travel is one of the greatest pleasures in life, and the ETIAS travel authorization is not a big deal. And don’t forget, you can still enter Europe without registering until January 1, 2022.
