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Upcoming Entry Rules for Schengen Travelers

By Experi Team

As of December 2025, U.S. travelers can still visit most Schengen countries without applying for the new European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS). The more immediate change is the EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES), a digital border-control system that began rolling out on October 12, 2025, and is gradually replacing passport stamps with biometric checks at external Schengen borders. ETIAS, a separate online pre-travel authorization similar to the U.S. ESTA, is now scheduled to launch in the last quarter of 2026 and will eventually be required for visa-exempt travelers, including U.S. citizens, visiting the Schengen Area and Cyprus for short stays. The overview below explains how EES and ETIAS work together, which destinations are affected, and what Experi guests should keep in mind when planning upcoming trips.

What U.S. Travelers Need to Know

Here is a quick overview of how these changes will affect most leisure travelers from the United States. 

  • Application Process: Once the system is launched, travelers must complete a quick online application, providing personal details and passport information and answering basic security questions.
  • Cost & Validity: When ETIAS becomes operational, a €20 fee will apply to most travelers aged 18 to 70, while applicants under 18 and over 70 are expected to be exempt from the fee. The authorization will be valid for three years or until the passport expires—whichever comes first—and will allow multiple short stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period.
  • Processing Time: While most applications should be approved within minutes, travelers are advised to apply at least a few days before departure in case of delays.
  • Implementation Timeline: The Entry/Exit System (EES), which digitally registers non-EU travelers entering and exiting the Schengen Area, launched on October 12, 2025, and is being rolled out across external borders through spring 2026. ETIAS is now expected to follow in the last quarter of 2026, several months after EES is fully in place. A specific start date has not yet been announced.
  • Purpose: ETIAS is designed to enhance security by pre-screening travelers before their arrival. It is not a visa, but rather an electronic travel authorization for visa-exempt visitors.

Because rules and timelines can change, we recommend checking official EU websites and government sources as your departure date approaches.

Using the Official ETIAS Website

Once ETIAS launches, travelers should apply only through the official EU ETIAS website or app. Several unofficial sites already mimic the look and name of ETIAS, charge extra “service” fees, or attempt to collect personal data. Before submitting payment or passport information, double-check that you are on the official EU site.

Transition Period & Travel Recommendations

Once ETIAS goes live, the EU has confirmed a six-month transitional period during which visa-exempt travelers who would normally need ETIAS may still be allowed to enter without it, provided they meet all other entry conditions. A further grace period is planned for certain first-time visitors after that. To avoid disruptions, U.S. travelers should still plan to apply as soon as the system is operational.

ETIAS for Multi-Country Travel

U.S. travelers will only need to complete the ETIAS application once, even if visiting multiple Schengen Area countries in one trip. As mentioned above, the authorization will allow short stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period and will be valid for three years (or until the passport expires). 

Travelers will be asked to specify their first country of entry when applying, but once inside the Schengen Zone, they can move freely between member countries without additional border checks. However, ETIAS will not apply to travel to Ireland, which is not part of the Schengen Area and maintains its own entry requirements. Cyprus, while not in Schengen, is expected to participate in ETIAS and will have separate rules for longer stays. The United Kingdom is also outside the Schengen Area and has its own entry requirements separate from ETIAS.

Current Schengen Member Countries

As of 2025, the Schengen Area consists of 29 European countries that have abolished passport and border controls at their mutual borders, allowing for seamless travel between member countries.

  1. Austria
  2. Belgium
  3. Bulgaria
  4. Croatia
  5. Czech Republic
  6. Denmark
  7. Estonia
  8. Finland
  9. France
  10. Germany
  11. Greece
  12. Hungary
  13. Italy
  14. Latvia
  15. Lithuania
  16. Luxembourg
  17. Malta
  18. Netherlands
  19. Poland
  20. Portugal
  21. Romania
  22. Slovakia
  23. Slovenia
  24. Spain
  25. Sweden

Non-EU Countries in Schengen:

  1. Iceland
  2. Liechtenstein
  3. Norway
  4. Switzerland
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