Don’t Risk Being Turned Away at Arrival-The Rules are Changing for Travel to Europe Travel 01/07/202101/07/2021 Share on Facebook Share Share on TwitterTweet Share on Pinterest Share Share on LinkedIn Share Send email Mail Print Print 50Plus-Today is more like a curated resource for adults age 50+ than a blog, and we are supported partially by our readers. When you buy via the links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. We do not accept incentives for our reviews; all opinions are our own. Views: 1,690 by Leslie Farin, Publisher originally posted January 10, 2020 updated January 7, 2021 Table of Contents January 2021 updateMake sure to add travel authorization to your to-do list if a trip to Europe is in your plans after 2022.Is a visa required for travel to Europe in 2021? How do I get ETIAS Authorization and what does it cost?Do I need to apply each time I travel? Which European nations will require ETIAS authorization to visit?Which countries will NOT require the new ETIAS authroization in 2021?Who else will need ETIAS authorization? January 2021 update Due to Covid-19, ETIAS will be launched toward the end of 2022 but it will not be mandatory until 2023. A 6-month grace period is planned to allow eligible travelers to become familiarized with the new regulation. Make sure to add travel authorization to your to-do list if a trip to Europe is in your plans after 2022. Europe is the most-visited region in the world because it offers some of the best cuisine, museums, and architecture to be found anywhere. Vacationers from the U.S. don’t currently need a tourist visa to visit most countries, but as of January 2021 they require ETIAS travel authorization. The good news is that rather than making trip planning more complicated, the new system promises to make be safer and more efficient. I choose to believe that will be the case; with all that’s involved in planning an oversees vacation, none of us needs more red-tape! I guess we’ll find out together next year. Here’s what you need to know about the new ETIAS travel authorization requirements. Is a visa required for travel to Europe in 2021? No, but the rules are about to change. This new process does not reintroduce visa-like obligations, and a trip to a consulate is not necessary. According to the European Commission and U.S. State Department officials, ETIAS is simply a travel authorization for visa-free visitors. The requested information is less extensive than to obtain a visa, but expect scrutinization by Interpol and Europol during the approval process. The reason? The European Union (EU) believes this new requirement is a way to protect travelers from possible terrorist threats and strengthen its borders. How do I get ETIAS Authorization and what does it cost? The online process should be quick and easy via a dedicated website or mobile app, and take only about 10 minutes to complete. You need a passport, an email address and a debit or credit card to pay the nonrefundable application fee (about $8.00) to apply. Once you answer the questions, some of which are personal, others related to security and health, you should receive approval by email within a few hours. The new process requires children under 18 to have an ETIAS, but not pay an application fee. If unable to apply for some reason, such as literacy level, access to or competence on information technology, a third party may submit the application on your behalf. Do I need to apply each time I travel? No. After you apply for the first time, your travel authorization is valid for three years, or until your passport expires. The ETIAS is valid for short-term stays up to 90 days for both leisure and business travelers, so you can re-enter Europe multiple times within that three-year period without a renewal providing your visit doesn’t exceed 90 days within a 180-day period. If you plan to study or work in Europe, you need to apply for a proper visa. Article continues after advertisement Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in this post may be “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase an item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Disclosure in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CF. Which European nations will require ETIAS authorization to visit? 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. 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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.
