The New And Improved Rules for Traveling to Europe for Americans

   

The New And Improved Rules for Traveling to Europe for Americans

Image: Pixels

Starting in 2021, Americans, as well as others from a ton of other visa-free countries, will have to do a little more work before they’ll be able to visit a number of European countries. Now, getting into places like Germany, France, and Spain just requires your U.S. passport, but in a little under two years you’ll also need to apply for entry into those countries and several others before you go. The change in policy was actually announced last summer, but more details were revealed about the program this week.

Curious what that means? Here’s a rundown of what you need to know:

What countries does this impact:

The travel authorization is needed to travel in any country in the Schengen Area, which includes 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, and Switzerland.

Is it a visa?

No. While a number of outlets reported that you would need a visa to travel to Europe in 2021 that’s not actually the case. What you’ll need to do is simply apply for entry through the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) and pay a small fee.

Why are they requiring it?

The goal behind the program is to strengthen the security checks on people who are able to travel visa-free to the EU.

How much will it cost?

We don’t know exact pricing for the application just yet, but it won’t be super expensive. Current reports suggest that it will cost roughly $7.

Am I likely to get declined?

No. The European Commission says that in 95% of cases approval will be granted “in minutes.” So for most folks, this is more a formality the something to be worried about. According to the EC “There is no need to go to a consulate to make an application, no biometric data is collected and significantly less information is gathered than during a visa application procedure. Whereas, as a general rule, a Schengen visa procedure can take up to 15 days, and can in some cases be extended up to 30 or 60 days, the online ETIAS application only takes a few minutes to fill in.”

How long will it work?

Once you’re approved, your ETIAS authorization will be good for three years and an unlimited number of entries into the area.

Discussion

    Community (51)
    Pending

Sort by:
Popular

    knowonelse
    Emily Price
    3/10/19 7:44pm

    What is behind this change? Why the change?
    4
    Reply
        Techy42
        knowonelse
        3/10/19 7:55pm

        Probably revenge for the absurd US restrictions for people visiting from friendly countries.
        6
        Reply
        fiji.siv
        knowonelse
        3/10/19 7:59pm

        I’ve read two theories:
        1. It’s simply a continuation of the processes to tighten the boarders against terrorist threats.
        2. The US requires people from Poland, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus and Romania to have a visa.  The EU asked the US in 2010 to treat all member states equally.  The US said they’d look into it.  Nine years later, the EU decided to force the issue.
        93
        Reply
        D. Walker
        knowonelse
        3/10/19 8:00pm

        To be fair, it’s not that different from how the US already operates. Once inside the US, you can move around within the country and cross between different states without any real hurdles. But you still need a visa (or a waiver) to get into the country to begin with.

        This is like that, but less restrictive. You don’t actually need a full visa, you just need to check in when entering the EU, and then once inside you can move around freely without issue.
        22
        Reply
        QADude
        fiji.siv
        3/10/19 8:42pm

        I’m leaning towards #2. I’d be interested to see the reaction (or lack of) on this.
        7
        Reply
    Show more replies in this thread
    Monkeyshines
    Emily Price
    3/11/19 5:08am

    Another fee, another way of tracking people. The latter not being that big a deal, I guess, as one goes through customs entering the EU anyways. However, since one does go through customs anyways, it makes the former more annoying.
    3
    Reply
        GOAT__RODEO
        Monkeyshines
        3/11/19 6:08am

        ... ahh yes, that 7 dollar fee on multi thousand dollar travel to and from the US -> EU. Pretty sure that’s going to break the bank for a one time 7 dollar fee every three years starting of course two years from now. I’m already picking up change on the ground I see so I can save up for it.
        20
        Reply
        onlame
        Monkeyshines
        3/11/19 6:43am

        The ETIAS fee is $7.00. The ESTA fee is $14.00. What is ESTA? It is the same as ETIAS only operated by the US. So, the US have had this same system in place for 10 years, actually. So, anyone who is allowed to visit the US visa-free, has been paying this fee and doing this registration for 10 years.

        I never considered it annoying. The US wants to do an automatic preliminary screening before someone enters the country. Same thing has been in place for Canada (eTA) for years. The EU is already a bit late with ETIAS, I would say.
        15
        Reply
        Starlionblue
        Monkeyshines
        3/11/19 6:49am

        All true. But it works the same in the other direction, as in very similar to the US ESTA system. I don’t need a visa to enter the US, but I need an ESTA pre-approval.
        11
        Reply
        Befitzero
        Monkeyshines
        3/11/19 7:20am

        Minor annoyance at best, its a few dollars and is good for 3 years. You have to go through customs anyway for any place abroad so they already know you are in country.
        4
        Reply
    Show more replies in this thread
    The Werewolf
    Emily Price
    3/11/19 1:04am

    Before everyone goes wonky...

    https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/

    The US already has a program like this. The reason you’ve not noticed it is because you don’t need to apply for it as Americans. Certain other countries like Canada are also exempt.

    Canada is bringing its own e-visa program as well to stay in line with the US’ program.
    12
    Reply
        Thidrekr
        The Werewolf
        3/11/19 1:04pm

        It’s only a bit of a shock, because an American who has only traveled to Canada or Europe wouldn’t have experienced anything like this before and probably doesn’t even know that the ESTA already exists for travelers into the U.S.

        Of course, any non-Canadian traveling to the U.S. would see this move as reciprocity, and thus not a surprise at all.
        3
        Reply
    GuB
    Emily Price
    3/11/19 7:36am

    So it is like ESTA/eTA. The stuff us Europeans have to to in order to enter the US/Canada.
    15
    Reply
    banana
    Emily Price
    3/11/19 10:13am

    Is there any requirement that this be done before purchasing an airline ticket?
    Reply
        ShanePrime
        banana
        3/16/19 12:11pm

        No, it's enforced by European border control not the airlines. You just need it completed before you arrive.
        Reply