How Will Europe’s New Travel Rules Affect You?

American travelers have had it pretty easy for, well, always, when it comes to visiting Europe, but thanks to new rules, that is all about to change. Starting in 2024, U.S. travelers visiting Europe (along with travelers from more than 60 other previously visa-exempt countries), must comply with new regulations if they want to visit most European destinations.

ETIAS, the European Travel Information and Authorization System, is an electronic entry authorization system that will work much like a visa. It is designed to identify potential travelers who may pose a threat. The authorization will apply to travelers planning to visit any of the 30 Schengen countries and will be attached to your passport once approved. Each ETIAS authorization will be effective for three years but, because it is attached to your current passport, it has to be renewed if you renew your passport before the authorization period is up.

The application process, which will be available through the ETIAS website, will be fairly simple for most travelers, requiring a current passport (you won’t be able to apply if your passport is scheduled to expire within three months) and personal information about things such as occupation and any criminal history.

Once the ETIAS requirement is officially in force — expected sometime in 2024 — it will be required for U.S. citizens visiting popular destinations like Croatia, Denmark, Italy, Greece and Portugal, and will also include a number of less traveled countries like Lichtenstein, Bulgaria and the Czech Republic. Check here for a complete list of countries.

While each member of the family will need a separate ETIAS authorization, applicants younger than 18 and older than 70 will be exempt from the €7 application fee.

ETIAS authorization is intended for short stays and will allow travelers to visit their destination countries as many times as they wish, as long as they don’t exceed 90 days within a 180-day period. While there is no specific date for ETIAS to go into effect yet, it is expected the application process will take anywhere from a few minutes to 30 days, depending on what documentation is requested and if an interview is required. To make sure you don’t miss out on a planned trip to Europe, it is best to apply for ETIAS as soon as possible once it goes into effect.