New Documentation for European Travel on the Horizon

WASHINGTON — If you have ever wanted to go on an impromptu European vacation — do it now. Starting in 2024, you will need to have documentation from the European Travel Information and Authorization System when traveling to any one of 30 different European countries, including all of those in the European Union, except for Ireland. 

Included in the list are some top travel destinations for Americans such as Italy, France, Germany and Spain. 

The main reason given for the new requirement is security. 

“Millions of people arrive in Europe every day,” the ETIAS website states. “It is essential for the EU to protect the region’s external borders.” 

The website also explains that the system will help identify those people who may pose a threat and will help monitor who is coming and going, and “will make border and document checks quicker and more efficient for visitors.” 

This new documentation will not just affect Americans. “Starting in 2024, some 1.4 billion people from over 60 visa-exempt countries will be required to have a travel authorization to enter most European countries,” the ETIAS website states. 

The application will ask a series of personal questions such as name, birthday, travel documentation, what your education and occupation levels are, why you intend on traveling to Europe and details about any criminal convictions. 

The application can be done on the ETIAS website or mobile application and will cost 7 euros (approximately $7.75). While the ETIAS website claims that the application should only take a couple of minutes to process, it advises potential visitors to complete the application far in advance of a planned trip. 

The process could take up to 14 days if you are required to show further documentation and up to 30 days if you are invited to interview. 

According to ETIAS, once the application has been approved, it is valid for three years or when your passport expires — whichever comes first. However, it is only for short-term stays — you can stay for up to 90 days in a 180-day period. In other words, this is not a work visa. 

While it may seem surprising, this has been in the works for many years. Originally approved in 2016, the project was intended to start in 2022 but encountered many issues, most notably the pandemic. 

With 30 European countries introducing this new system, it may seem as though they are trying to keep tourists out, but the opposite is true. They are trying to ensure a safer Europe for both citizens and visitors. 

The European Parliament released a report at the end of March studying tourism across the continent. Within the document they state, “Europe is the world’s leading tourist destination. The tourism industry is a vital part of the EU’s economy and accounts for 10% of its GDP, which is why the EU is committed to reviving this sector.” 

The European Union has set 2024 as the launch date for the ETIAS documentation but has yet to specify when that will actually be. However, it is still a good thing to have in the back of your mind when planning your family trip to Europe in the future.

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