Prepare to Need a Visa to Travel to Europe Next Year

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Beginning in 2024, Americans planning to travel to Europe will face new visa requirements that may make their trips more complicated and costly.
The European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) will be mandatory for visitors from over 60 countries currently exempt from visas. This new system will electronically link the traveler’s passport to their ETIAS approval rather than issuing a physical document.
Currently, U.S. citizens do not require prior authorization to travel to most European Union countries, but this will change with the new law’s implementation. This is similar to the process that visitors from other countries have been required to travel to the U.S. since 2009, known as the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA).
Starting next year, the E.U. will offer travelers the option to apply for ETIAS through an official website or mobile app. Travelers must provide passport information or other documents that can be used for visas. Parents and legal guardians can apply for minors. ETIAS approval is valid for three years or until the passport expires.
The processing fee for ETIAS is €7 ($7.74), but those under 18 or over 70 can apply for free. Approval usually takes minutes but can take up to 30 days. The government recommends that travelers apply well in advance of their trip and strongly suggests obtaining ETIAS approval before booking flights or hotels.