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If you’re an American flying to Europe in the near future, it’s possible There are three major changes coming to all European airports you need to know if you plan on having a smooth ride to and from the Old Continent – or not even allowed to come in at all.
As you may already know, Europe has slowly tightened access controls for foreign visitors in recent months.
This trend will only accelerate from 2025, when a new border policy will come into effect. to influence all travelersincluding Americans.
Enough said.
What are these three proposed changes that will impact the airport arrivals that Brussels is so keen to introduce?
Fluid limits return
The first takes effect from September 1 already, and it concerns the limit of liquid items you can take airside in Europe: after promising to abolish the 100ml rule, in fact they are bring it back.
Over the years, several airports across the European space have relaxed or abolished the dreaded liquidity rule in anticipation of a European reversal of the 2006 aviation ruling, including major transit hubs such as Dublin Airport and Amsterdam Schiphol.
The phase-out included testing more advanced C3 scanners and faster, more efficient screening – unfortunately, plans to move on to the final phase have fallen through as the latest European Commission regulation fluid requirements officially recover.
According to the Commission, this is a “precautionary measure” to address a temporary technical issue, and not necessarily a response to security threats; Still, it will send shockwaves through Europe’s largest airports, which had already introduced less restrictive baggage rules.
According to Airports Council International director general Olivier Jankovec, yes safety is ‘non-negotiable’Airports that have been ‘early adopters’ of the C3 technology will be ‘severely punished both operationally and financially’.
In short, in the future, go back to storing your liquids in containers under 100 ml.
Fingerprints for all travelers
The next big change at Europe’s airports is more important, and Americans will be among the first to feel the pain on November 10: fingerprints and registration by all non-European tourists arriving at European borders will be required.
This is part of the European Union’s new Entry-Exit System (ESS), which aims to modernize border control and screening of new passengers.
As you should know by now, you are only allowed to stay in the European Schengen Zone for 90 days out of a 180-day period.
In enforcing this, border guards often use entry and exit stamps to verify whether someone has stayed as a tourist for longer than the allowed three months, and needless to say: that is far by the most reliable method.
With the EES, tourists will be required to provide their biometric data when they arrive in Europe so that their movements into and out of the zone can be monitored.
As confirmed by EU Commissioner Ylva Johansson: Passport stamps will then be a thing of the past.
The bad news? Some you have to be prepared for additional waiting time countries in Europe when you register for the first time.
The good news? Your data will be kept for three years, so that’s likely you do not have to have your fingerprint taken again during that period.
Entrance fee Travel to Europe
Last, but certainly not least, you want to wait to book those flights to Europeat least until you obtain it permission to fly.
You read that right: for the first time in recent history Americans will need prior authorization to travel to Europe.
Although not a formal visa, you will no longer be allowed to board flights to Europe without it from mid-2025.
It’s called ETIAS (or European Travel Information And Authorization System) and applies to all foreign citizens who are currently exempt from a visa to visit Europe – this includes Americans, as well as Canadians and British citizens.
Once the ETIAS platform is operational, you can apply completely onlineand most requests are processed within seconds to minutes.
You must complete a form, answer questions about your personal background and pay a fee of 7 euros.
Once your ETIAs are approved, you will receive a Travel permit for 3 years delivered straight to your email.
Each Whenever you fly to Europe within that period, you can show it at the airport together with your valid ETIAS and your passport.
If your passport expires before your current ETIAS, you will need to reapply as soon as you receive a new travel document. Oh, and remember: while an ETIAS is valid for three years, that doesn’t mean you can do it to stay in Europe for 3 years.
This allows you to travel to the Schengen area an unlimited number of times, as long as you stick to the 90 day rule during every trip.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
