On Saturday, the State Department tweeted about a big change to European travel policy that will affect all Americans starting in 2021: the implementation of the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS). The ETIAS was written into law in 2016 as a way to bring an additional layer of security to the region. While it won’t affect your travel plans this year or next, starting on January 1, 2021, it will require registration on the part of all non-visa travelers to most European Union countries (including Americans, Canadians and Australians).
Authorization “is not a visa” but as Travel + Leisure writes, it will be mandatory if you plan to travel to a country within the “26 countries in the Schengen Zone, including France, Germany and Italy.” The fee to apply will be €7 per person between ages 18 and 70, and as per the official fact sheet, “the vast majority of applicants (expected to be more than 95% of all cases) will be given automated approval.”
One nice thing: Unlike a visa, writes T + L, “the authorization will be valid for three years” and “it will be valid for multiple entries.” If you travel often to Europe, you won’t have to worry about getting ETIAS authorization before every single trip.
Here’s everything you need to know about ETIAS.
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Just ANOTHER money grab the reasons for it are made up B.S.
Johnny
I have been reading your articles for many, many years and find them very helpful. If you allow me to point out, that in order not to confuse your readers of the article on “Americans will soon need to register………, please remember Americans are all the inhabitants of the Americas. North, Central, and South America” including Canadians.
I believe it will be more exact to say ” U.S Citizens and Canadians will soon need……..)
Regards
Carlos A Blanco.
Good advice! thanks
I’m 84 yrs of age, so confirm that I’m exempt and will be able to continue to travel into Europe after 2021.
Thank You
Over 70 is exempt!