Heading To Europe In 2025? You’ll Need This New Travel Document

American travelers heading to most of Europe will soon need to add another item to their travel checklist. Starting in May 2025, a special travel authorization—ETIAS, which stands for the European Travel Information and Authorization System–will be required.

Once the program starts,  some 1.4 billion people from the U.S. and dozens of other countries will need ETIAS to enter 30 European countries. The document will cost €7, or about $7.50; however, travelers under 18 years old or over 70 will not have to pay a fee.  The ETIAS travel pass will be valid for three consecutive years.

In the past, most Americans needed only a passport to visit the 30 participating countries. But when ETIAS finally kicks in, the document will be a requirement: If you don’t have it, you won’t be allowed to get on that plane.

What Is ETIAS?

ETIAS was approved in 2016 as part of an international effort to increase security. It was originally scheduled to begin in 2021, but a series of obstacles, including the Covid-19 pandemic and a lack of infrastructure to support the program, delayed its start multiple times.

Under ETIAS, travelers will undergo security screenings before they arrive in the affected European countries, preventing those who pose a security threat from entering. That’s expected to reduce the likelihood of security incidents, according to ETIAS.com.

ETIAS covers travelers from 59 countries, including the U.S. and Canada, who plan to stay in a participating country for 90 days or less. Once your security check is completed and approved, your authorization is good for up to three years. While most people will have to pay the fee, ETIAS is free to anyone under 18 or over 70.

Which Countries Require the ETIAS Travel Authorization?

Thirty European countries will require the ETIAS authorization in 2025. They are:

Austria

Belgium

Bulgaria

Croatia

Cyprus

Czech Republic

Denmark

Estonia

Finland

France

Germany

Greece

Hungary

Iceland

Italy

Latvia

Liechtenstein

Lithuania

Luxembourg

Malta

Netherlands

Norway

Poland

Portugal

Romania

Slovakia

Slovenia

Spain

Sweden

Switzerland

What’s the Purpose of an ETIAS Travel Authorization?

The new requirements are being established to help “identify security, irregular migration or high epidemic risks posed by visa-exempt visitors,” according to the European Commission website.

ETIAS Basics for U.S. Citizens

The ETIAS authorization is only good for short-term stays of 90 days or less; it is not a work visa. The ETIAS information is linked to your passport, so if you have to replace your passport for any reason, you’ll also need a new ETIAS travel authorization. Your travel insurance company should be able to assist with a lost passport.

People Who Need ETIAS Authorizations

You will need an ETIAS authorization if any of the following apply to you:

• You’re not a European Union national.
• You’re a citizen of any country, including the U.S., whose nationals don’t currently need a visa for a short-term stay in a European Union country.
• You don’t have a residence permit or card issued by any of the European countries that require ETIAS.

Some travelers may be exempted from the requirement for an ETIAS travel authorization, so check before you apply.

How To Apply for ETIAS

U.S. citizens traveling to Europe can apply on the ETIAS website when its application section becomes operational. To stay informed, you can sign up for email updates on the website.

Cost of an ETIAS Travel Authorization

As of January 2024, the expected ETIAS application fee is €7, roughly $7.50. It’s free for anyone under the age of 18 or over the age of 70.

How Long Is ETIAS Good For?

The ETIAS authorization is valid for three years. You can travel in a participating country for 90 days within any 180-day period. Whenever you travel to participating countries, your ETIAS authorization must be valid for the duration of the stay.