ETIAS for US citizens

US citizens traveling to the EU or Schengen countries will need to apply for the ETIAS electronic travel authorization from 2025 on. Learn about the requirements for the EU travel permit and what to consider when traveling through Europe with ETIAS.

As one of the visa-waiver countries for the EU and Schengen Area, US citizens can travel visa-free to countries like Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, and others if they are only entering for tourism or short business trips for up to 90 days.

However, visa-free travel to the EU and Schengen Area will mean something different from 2025 on: all visa-waived travelers must apply for the electronic travel authorization ETIAS before crossing borders.

With the implementation of ETIAS, the EU is following America’s example of ESTA, which has been in place to improve US homeland security since 2008.

The most important difference between the ETIAS travel authorization and a Schengen visa is that ETIAS is quick, easy, and much more affordable. Officially, ETIAS is not a visa and therefore does not have to be processed through the embassies.

All differences between ETIAS and a Schengen visa at a glance:

US citizens willing to travel to Europe can use ETIAS or a visa, depending on the country they are visiting and the purpose of their trip. Good to know: Some European countries don’t participate in the ETIAS program and still require a visa, while some countries like Iceland, Switzerland, and Norway are not even in the EU but enable American citizens to enter with ETIAS anyways.

For example, if you are planning a road trip through Sweden and, in addition, want to visit the Netherlands and Germany for a holiday, you can apply for ETIAS as long as your stay is shorter than 90 days. However, if you are planning a trip to non-ETIAS countries within Europe like Belarus, Kosovo, or Serbia, you must apply for a visa at the embassy or consulate for entry.

Therefore, please look at the list of ETIAS countries to find out if you need to apply for an ETIAS or a Schengen visa for your trip to Europe.

To get ETIAS approval, US citizens will have to fulfill the following ETIAS requirements:

• You must have a biometric e-passport, valid for at least three months after your trip to the EU or Schengen Area
• You must have a debit or credit card to pay the € 7 ETIAS fee
• You must enter the EU or Schengen Area only for touristic purposes, short business trips, medical travel, or transit for up to 90 days
• You must not have a criminal history
• You must answer the ETIAS security questions to the satisfaction of the border guards

If you have ETIAS approval, you can visit the following countries within the EU and Schengen Area:

The ETIAS application process for US citizens will only take a couple of minutes on the website or within the mobile app of the European Union that will soon be provided. US citizens must enter the following information to apply for their ETIAS travel authorization:

• Your name (s)
• Your date and place of birth
• Your nationality
• Your home address
• Your parents’ names
• Your email address
• Your phone number
• Your passport details
• Details about your level of education
• Your current occupation
• Your travel history
• Your travel plans within the ETIAS countries
• Details about your criminal history

Check your answers carefully before submitting the ETIAS form from the USA. Mistakes and inconsistencies in the information provided could lead to delays or even rejection of your ETIAS.

After your ETIAS application, your data will be checked automatically. You will receive the ETIAS travel authorization to print out and store with your passport within minutes or - at the latest - after 96 hours.

The ETIAS system makes traveling to Europe and the Schengen Area safer and is designed to combat identity fraud, misuse of travel documents, terrorism, and serious crime.

For US citizens traveling to Europe, ETIAS is much faster, easier, and more affordable than a Schengen visa.