Americans who previously did not need a visa to travel to Europe will now need to fill out an online application before visiting.
Anyone looking to travel to Europe in 2024 should be aware of a new requirement that will go into effect for U.S. passport holders.
If you previously traveled to Europe without a visa, you will now need to apply for authorization through the European Travel Information and Authorization System, or ETIAS, before visiting.
The application form, which will be available on the official ETIAS website as well as a mobile application, has a fee of 7 euros. All communication is done by email.
Once you are approved for travel, the authorization entitles visitors to stay in European countries that require ETIAS for up to 90 days within any 180-day period and travelers must be in possession of a valid ETIAS during their entire stay.
According to ETIAS, most applications should be processed within minutes, but in case an application takes longer, decisions will be sent within four days or up to 14 days if the applicant is asked to provide additional documentation.
The European Union encourages travelers to apply for an ETIAS authorization “well in advance of your planned journey.”
