For many decades now, Americans have been able to travel to Europe essentially hassle-free, simply by virtue of carrying a valid travel document: none of the additional bureaucracy of visas or entry permits.
This year, this will no longer be the case, as the Old Continent reforms its border policies and brings in a series of new requirements.
From 2025 onward, there are 4 major changes tourists landing in Europe should be aware of if they’re intent on avoiding fines or even being denied boarding, starting with the introduction of the much-delayed ETIAS:
Digital Entry Permit For Mainland Europe
ETIAS stands for European Travel Information and Authorization System, a new travel permit soon to be required of passport holders from 59 countries, and this includes the United States and Canada.
It is not exactly a visa, falling within the category of Electronic Travel Authorizations, but to put it in the simplest possible terms, it essentially functions as an online visa, without which Americans will no longer be permitted to enter Europe.
Once ETIAS launches, as a U.S. citizen, you’ll be expected to apply online ahead of traveling to the 29-country Schengen Area via the official ETIAS website by submitting a questionnaire including personal and security questions and your passport information.
The cost of an ETIAS is 7 euros, or roughly US$7.25, based on the current exchange rate, and the authorization is valid for three years upon issuance or until your passport expires.
The good news is, unlike formal visas, which usually incur a months-long process, an ETIAS can be obtained within minutes, as most will be processed almost instantly, though the European Commission advises you to apply in advance, as in ‘some cases’ the review can take ‘up to 30 days’.
The official ETIAS launch date has not yet been announced, but it is set to take effect in late 2025.
The Schengen Area Has Just Got Bigger
The ETIAS will be required for travelers entering the Schengen Area, Europe’s border-free zone comprising 29 countries as of this year.
From January 2025, Bulgaria and Romania have officially joined the select club, and together, they will no longer check passports at their inner borders with fellow Europeans participating in the Schengen accords.
This means less traffic jams when driving from Hungary into Romania, or Greece into Bulgaria, or vice versa, as well as international flights leaving from both countries to other Schengen states being treated as domestic for all purposes.
However, there is a downside to Schengen that cannot be ignored, especially if you’re planning on taking a sabbatical year to discover Europe, or you’re a digital nomad:
Americans (and all other non-Europeans) are only allowed to stay in the Schengen territories for up to 90 days out of any 180-day period, and this now includes Bulgaria and Romania.
In other words, you can no longer use the Eastern Balkan countries to ‘reset’ your Schengen clock or prolong your stay in Europe, as they now apply the so-called Schengen acquis, and any time spent in France, Spain, Italy, Croatia, and the like will be taken into consideration.
Travelers who are caught overstaying their welcome in the Schengen Area are usually issued fines, and they may even get deported and banned from re-entering Europe for several years.
Fingerprinting Is Coming
Concomitantly to the ETIAS, Europe is putting in place a new Entry-Exit System (EES) this year.
In short, they’re phasing out passport stamping and switching to digital checks for passengers coming into the European Union, as Ylva Johansson, the EU Commissioner, has pointed out.
Not to get too complicated, as they gear up for the ETIAS debut, they will start storing travelers’ biometric information in a database instead of issuing stamps so that every time they enter and leave Europe, authorities will know.
The EU Commission believes that, in this way, overstayers will be caught more easily, security checks will become more modern, and fewer mistakes will happen:
In case you didn’t know, as of today, European border officials continue to check passport stamps to establish whether a visitor has broken Schengen rules, or not.
The EES will involve getting fingerprinted at least every three years since the information can only be stored for that long, so you should be prepared for some additional screening flying to Europe in late 2025.
Finally, There’s This New U.K. Development
Last but certainly not least, the United Kingdom recently introduced an Electronic Travel Authorization system (commonly shortened to U.K. ETA), applying to all visa-exempt foreigners––and this includes U.S. passport holders.
As of January 8, Americans have no longer been able to fly to Britain or even transit through the country, no matter how short a transfer, without applying for and obtaining a digital entry permit.
We detailed the application process here, so we strongly recommend you read it carefully, and familiarize yourself with the steps before turning at the airport only to be refused boarding, or worse even, get sent away if landing in the U.K.
You should definitely read the accompanying article in full through the link provided, but in summary, the U.K. expects you to scan your passport with their mobile app, take a selfie for verification purposes, and answer a series of personal and security questions.
The U.K. ETA costs £10, anywhere between US$12-13, depending on the currency exchange rate on the application date, and it’s valid for 2 years for an unlimited number of six-month-long visits to the United Kingdom or earlier if your passport expires sooner.
Most applications are processed instantly, though some may take up to 72 hours to be approved, so if you’re due to travel to England (or Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland shortly), you should make sure you get your documentation in order in advance.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.