Changes Coming for Travel to Europe


The days of spontaneously traveling to Europe on a whim are coming to an end for U.S. citizens. For many years, U.S. citizens have been able to travel to most European countries with only a valid U.S. passport as a travel document. In 2021, the European Schengen Zone will be requiring a registration similar to the U.S. Electronic System for Travel Authorization registration system (ESTA) from U.S. citizens traveling to the Schengen Zone. Currently, the Schengen Zone includes 26 European countries: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.

The European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) will be similar to the U.S. ESTA. All U.S. citizens traveling to Europe to enter the Schengen Zone will be required to register in advance. ETIAS is not a visa application. It does not require a trip to a Consulate. The application is completed online and will require a passport valid for three months beyond the intended stay, an email account and a credit or debit card. The cost will be approximately $8.00. The expectation is that 95% of applicants will be approved for a three-year ETIAS.

There are still almost 100 countries where U.S. citizens will continue, for now, to be able to travel without a visa or any pre-registration. Prior to travel, always check the U.S. State Department website for any entry requirements or country specific travel warnings. Useful tips for everyone, but especially for those traveling with children, also include:


Jackson Lewis P.C. © 2025
National Law Review, Volume IX, Number 130