Upcoming Entry Rules for Schengen Travelers
Projected to start in late 2025, the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) will require U.S. travelers heading to most European countries to apply for travel authorization. This new requirement applies to Americans visiting the Schengen Area, which includes most EU countries as well as Norway, Switzerland, Iceland, and Liechtenstein.
What U.S. Travelers Need to Know About ETIAS
As of January 30, 2025, here’s what U.S. travelers need to know about the upcoming ETIAS travel authorization system. Since details are subject to change, we recommend checking official sources as your departure date approaches.
- 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: A €7 fee applies to travelers aged 18 to 70. The authorization is valid for three years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first, and allows 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: ETIAS is expected to launch sometime in 2025, alongside the Entry/Exit System (EES)—a new system that will automate the registration of travelers entering and exiting the Schengen Zone. A specific launch date has not yet been provided.
- 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.
Transition Period & Travel Recommendations
Once ETIAS goes live, a six-month transition period is anticipated, during which some travelers may still be allowed entry without an ETIAS if they meet other conditions. However, to avoid travel disruptions, U.S. visitors should plan ahead and apply as soon as the system is operational.
For the latest updates on ETIAS and European entry requirements, travelers are advised to check official EU websites.
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 does not cover non-Schengen EU countries like Ireland, Bulgaria, Romania, and Cyprus, which have separate entry requirements. Also, the United Kingdom is not in the Schengen Area and has its own entry requirements separate from ETIAS.
Current Schengen Member Countries
As of 2025, the Schengen Area consists of 27 European countries that have abolished passport and border controls at their mutual borders, allowing for seamless travel between member countries.
- Austria
- Belgium
- Croatia
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Italy
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Netherlands
- Poland
- Portugal
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
Non-EU Countries in Schengen:
- Iceland
- Liechtenstein
- Norway
- Switzerland
As stated above, the authorization system has not been launched at the time of publication, and U.S. travelers are advised to check official EU websites for current updates on ETIAS and European entry requirements.