Is a visa required for travel to Europe? Don't risk being turned away

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April 2023 Update

It’s finally here and anticipated to start in 2024, the end of free travel to the European Union. The short answer to “Is a visa required for travel to Europe?” will be yes, as of next year.

ETIAS was originally scheduled to become effective in 2021, but due to Covid-19, implementation of ETIAS was delayed until 2024. Travelers will have a six-month grace period to learn about and apply for ETIAS. (The application process is not yet operational)

ETIAS Application Information

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 2024 they will 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 Right Now?

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?

When operational, 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.

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 you will 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 Authorization in 2024?

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
Croatia (may join in 2024)
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: Is a Visa Required for Travel to Europe?

Basically, yes. But 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.

originally posted January 10, 2020.
updated April 3, 2023.