Share the article
For decades, Americans have been able to travel to Europe virtually without any problems, simply by carrying a valid travel document: without the extra bureaucracy of visas or entry permits.
This year, this will no longer be the case, as the Old Continent reforms and implements its border policy a series of new requirements.
From 2025 there will be four important Changes that tourists arriving in Europe should be aware of if they want to avoid fines or even being denied entry, starting with the introduction of the much-delayed ETIAS:
Digital access permit for mainland Europe
ETIAS stands for European Travel Information and Authorization System, a new travel authorization that will soon be required for passport holders from 59 countries, including the United States and Canada.
It’s not exactly a visa that falls under the category of electronic travel authorization, but to put it in the simplest possible terms, it essentially functions as an online visa, without which Americans are no longer allowed to enter Europe.
Once ETIAS starts, as a US citizen You are expected to apply online before traveling to the 29-country Schengen area through the official ETIAS website by submitting a questionnaire including personal and security questions and your passport details.
The cost of an ETIAS is 7 euros, or approximately US$7.25, based on the current exchange rate, and the authorization is valid for three years from issuance or until your passport expires.
The good news is: different formal visas, which usually involve a months-long process, an ETIAS can be obtained in minutesas most are processed almost immediately, although the European Commission advises you to apply in advance as the assessment can take ‘up to 30 days’ in ‘some cases’.
The official launch date of ETIAS has not yet been announced, but it is expected to come into effect by the end of 2025.
The Schengen area just got bigger
The ETIAS is required for travelers entering the Schengen Area, Europe’s border-free zone made up of 29 countries from this year.
From January 2025, Bulgaria and Romania have officially joined the select club, and together they will no longer checking passports at their internal borders with fellow Europeans participating in the Schengen agreements.
This means there are fewer traffic jams when driving from Hungary to Romania, or Greece to Bulgaria, or vice versa, and international flights departing from both countries to other Schengen states are treated as domestic for all purposes.
However, there is a downside to Schengen that cannot be ignored, especially if you are planning to take a sabbatical to explore Europe, or if you are a digital nomad:
Americans (and all other non-Europeans) are only allowed to stay in the Schengen areas during the period maximum 90 days out of a 180 day periodand this now also applies to Bulgaria and Romania.
In other words, you can no longer use the Eastern Balkan countries to ‘reset’ your Schengen clock or extend your stay in Europe, as they now apply the so-called Schengen clock. acquisand any time spent in France, Spain, Italy, Croatia and the like will be taken into account.
Travelers caught overstaying in the Schengen area are usually fined, and may even be deported and banned from entering Europe for a number of years.
Fingerprints are coming
At the same time as the ETIAS, Europe is introducing a new Entry-Exit System (EES) this year.
Basically, they are phasing out passport stamps and switching to digital checks for passengers entering the European Union, as EU Commissioner Ylva Johansson has noted.
Not to make things too complicated, as they prepare for the ETIAS debut, they will start storing travelers’ biometric information in a database instead of issuing stamps, so that every time they enter and leave Europe, authorities will know.
The European Commission believes that in this way, overstayers will be more easily caught, security checks will become more modern and fewer errors will occur:
In case you didn’t know, starting today, European border officials will continue to check passport stamps to determine whether a visitor has broken Schengen rules or not.
The EES is fingerprinted at least every three years, as the information can only be kept for so long you must be prepared for additional screening flying to Europe at the end of 2025.
Finally, there is this new British development
Last but certainly not least, Britain has recently introduced an Electronic Travel Authorization system (commonly abbreviated to UK ETA), which applies to all visa-exempt foreigners – and this includes US passport holders.
As of January 8, Americans will no longer be able to fly to Britain or even travel through the Countno matter how short a transfer, without applying for and obtaining a digital entry permit.
We’ve detailed the application process here, so we highly recommend that you read it carefully and familiarize yourself with the steps before you sign out at the airport and then be denied boarding, or worse, turned away when you land in Great Britain.
You should definitely read the accompanying article in full via the link provided, but in summary: Britain expects you to scan your passport use their mobile app to take a selfie for verification purposes and answer a series of personal and security questions.
The UK ETA costs £10, somewhere between $12 and 13 depending on the exchange rate on the application date, and is valid for two years for unlimited six-month visits to the UK, or sooner if your passport expires sooner.
However, most applications are processed immediately some can last up to 72 hours must be approved, so if you need to travel to England (or Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland) soon, make sure you have your documentation in order in advance.
✈️Join our Travel Off Path community forum: Where travelers come together, ask questions, share experiences and even find like-minded travel companions!
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LATEST POSTS
Enter your email address to subscribe to the latest Travel Off Path breaking travel news, delivered straight to your inbox.
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.
