Do I Need A Travel Visa To Go To Europe Now?
Olivia is a writer and content creator interested in food, beauty, entertainment, and fashion. When Olivia isn’t typing away or reading Barnes & Noble’s latest psychological thriller, she can be found lying on the beach, binge-watching One Tree Hill, or sitting on a flight headed to her next travel destination (probably Italy). You can follow Olivia’s foodie journey on Instagram at @livvin_for_food or her personal endeavors at @oliviaa.bria.
Ugh. More travel restrictions are in the air — literally. Looks like quick trips from the United States to Europe with just a passport and a dream are no more (with the new rule that has been put into place, that is). Beginning in 2024, U.S. passport holders will have to fill out the ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System) form in an effort to increase security and strengthen European borders.
Per the ETIAS website, this travel authorization is needed to enter the Schengen Area. The Schengen Area is a term used to include 27 European countries and notable tourist destinations, like France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and more. Bulgaria, Cyprus, and Romania will soon be added to the Schengen Area countries and will also require the authorization in the new year.
See the full list of Schengen Area countries here (Note: this list has not been updated to include Croatia, who joined the Schengen Area in January 2023).
What does the new travel authorization form entail?
Short-term stays will be granted through the authorization for only 90 days or less — anything more than that (AKA long-term stays for work or otherwise) requires a visa application. The cost of the ETIAS application will be $7.79 (accounting for US currency, as it is actually 7 euros) and is advertised to only take 10 minutes and have a 95% chance of automatic approval.
Here’s the good news: the ETIAS form can actually be used for 3 years or until your passport expires — whichever comes first — so you won’t have to worry about it yearly. Please note that these rules apply to folks who are visa-exempt visitors and non-EU citizens. You can check out Forbes Advisor’s latest article for more details on the requirements for application. P.S. If you are heading to Europe yearly though, consider me very jealous!
As long as your ETIAS application is approved and valid during your stay, you are good to go to any participating countries. So the short answer is no, you don't need a visa for short-term stays, but you will have to fill out a form and carry a valid passport. Cheers to a summer with many Aperol Spritzes!
Note: The ETIAS application is not yet operational , but will be available for use on the application section of the ETIAS websitein 2024. Please check all country requirements before traveling abroad.
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Header image via Olivia Bria
Olivia is a writer and content creator interested in food, beauty, entertainment, and fashion. When Olivia isn’t typing away or reading Barnes & Noble’s latest psychological thriller, she can be found lying on the beach, binge-watching One Tree Hill, or sitting on a flight headed to her next travel destination (probably Italy). You can follow Olivia’s foodie journey on Instagram at @livvin_for_food or her personal endeavors at @oliviaa.bria.