For years, we’ve known that the European Union plans to require foreign nationals to apply for a travel authorization. The implementation of this has been delayed several times already, and we’ve just learned of yet another delay — this is now expected to launch in late 2026, compared to the previous timeline of mid-2025.
In this post:
Will Americans need a visa to visit European Union?
Currently travelers from 60+ countries (including the United States) can visit the European Union without obtaining a visa or any travel authorization prior to travel. That will be changing. As of the fourth quarter of 2026 (no exact date has been announced), up to 1.4 billion people from 60+ visa waiver countries will need to obtain a travel authorization prior to traveling to the European Union.
US citizens (among others) will be required to apply for an ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System) travel authorization. This is similar to the electronic travel authorization that the United States requires for visitors from many countries.
Now, don’t get too worried. You’re not going to have to go to a consulate, or jump through any super complicated hoops. Rather here are the basics of the requirements:
- The ETIAS will cost €7 (~$8), and that can be paid via the ETIAS website or app
- The ETIAS will be valid for multiple entries over three years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first
- The ETIAS will allow you to stay in the European Union for up to 90 days in any 180 day period
- The ETIAS will typically be processed within minutes, though in some cases the application may take longer to process; when there’s a delay, it will typically be processed within four days, but sometimes it will take up to 14 days
- Once your ETIAS application is approved, you’ll receive a confirmation number that you should hold onto, but you shouldn’t have to show it at the border, since it’s electronically linked to your passport info
What’s the purpose of this new ETIAS requirement? The reason for this change is to increase security, and to be able to screen travelers long before they actually travel to the Europe Union. At the same time, I imagine there’s some desire for reciprocity here, and I also imagine the government thinks this will generate extra revenue, and doesn’t mind that. 😉
It’s worth noting that this requirement was first proposed in 2017, and was initially supposed to be implemented as of 2021. As you might expect, coronavirus delayed the timeline of that being implemented. Now we’ve seen several additional delays beyond that.
So while the current plan is to implement this as of late 2026, I wouldn’t even count on that sticking. Honestly, it’s anyone’s guess what will happen first — will the European Union require an ETIAS, or will the United States require Real ID?
My take on the European Union’s ETIAS requirement
It goes without saying that I’m not generally a fan of anything that creates barriers or red tape to travel. At a minimum, it’s a minor inconvenience, it costs a little bit of money, and it’s just yet another thing that can go wrong during the travel process.
However, as far as any sort of barriers to travel go, this new ETIAS requirement is about as mild as it gets. It only costs $8, it’s valid for multiple entries over three years, it can be done online, and approval typically happens within minutes.
Besides, the United States requires the same thing for those visiting from the European Union, and the European Union claims it’s to screen travelers prior to arrival.
So am I a fan of this change? As a traveler, no. Do I think this will materially impact travel demand to the European Union? No. For what it’s worth, the United Kingdom is currently in the process of rolling out a similar initiative, but that’s being implemented more quickly.
Bottom line
Starting in late 2026, the European Union will be introducing a new ETIAS requirement for visitors from 60+ visa waiver countries, including the United States. This means you’ll have to fill out a quick online application prior to travel, and will need to pay €7. Once approved, your ETIAS is valid for multiple entries over three years.
This is something to be aware of, but don’t worry, this isn’t some complicated visa requirement that’s costly or time consuming. Furthermore, it’s anyone’s guess if this actually ends up being implemented, given how many delays we’ve seen so far.
What do you make of the European Union introducing an ETIAS requirement?
Thanks Orange Hair Man
I entered Ireland this past week. Didn't see any electronic gates which is the key for this system working in Europe. Had to go to an Immigration booth, answer a couple questions and got my passport stamped. Interestingly, I later flew to the Prague and also went to a booth and got the traditional EU entry stamp there. Not in Ireland. When I flew home from Amsterdam, got the traditional EU exit stamp. So somehow...
I entered Ireland this past week. Didn't see any electronic gates which is the key for this system working in Europe. Had to go to an Immigration booth, answer a couple questions and got my passport stamped. Interestingly, I later flew to the Prague and also went to a booth and got the traditional EU entry stamp there. Not in Ireland. When I flew home from Amsterdam, got the traditional EU exit stamp. So somehow Ireland isn't even part of the ETIAS scheme and none of the airports I visited had passport readers set-up yet. Late 2026 may still be a pipe dream.
ETIAS and other electronic travel authorizations are 'visa light' and a nuisance for travelers. They do matter.
Well of course the Brits are implementing this quicker than the EU. Duh! It's a cash cow!! Nothing can get in the way of a tax-addicted Labor govt and 'easy money'. And yes, I know this was proposed under a different govt. But the fact is, it's a Labor govt that ramped up the action to actually do it..
WZ maybe you need to live in another country!!!
No WZ in this thread. Dee you continue your 100% streak of being a really, really, really stupid low-IQ poster.
Stupid red tape for economically similar allied countries. There should be mutual visa and e-visa waivers for the EU, USA, Japan, Taiwan, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, maybe Chile or, if there isn't, there should be a fee waiver.
Yes for unreliable countries, like the People's Republic of China, Vietnam, India, Nigeria, etc.
I didn't understand why you put the USA on that list of allied countries.
Not anymore.
USA is an unreliable country and not an ally of democracy.
Define "democracy" and tell us which countries actually conform to it.
Anyway, the welfare payments from the US that have been funding Europe's defense are ending, thankfully.
Try saying that when Russia launches an attack on US soil.
What does this have to do with "reliability of a country"? Also, the countries you listed as unreliable need visa to enter the EU. The point of ETIAS is processing people who don't need a visa. Duh.
If you can't afford 7€ once in a few years, you're not very interesting for local businesses.
Of course, Ben wouldn't mind the new regulation because he also has EU passport.
(a) There is nothing good about new regulations run by government Bureaucracies. In the past 10 years two of my colleagues who were born and raised in Germany and both PhDs with steady mid level management jobs were denied ESTA by US and were told to apply for a business visa instead.
(b) According to the available data, in...
Of course, Ben wouldn't mind the new regulation because he also has EU passport.
(a) There is nothing good about new regulations run by government Bureaucracies. In the past 10 years two of my colleagues who were born and raised in Germany and both PhDs with steady mid level management jobs were denied ESTA by US and were told to apply for a business visa instead.
(b) According to the available data, in 2020 about 4.8 millions of legal immigrants in the US were from Europe but only very few US citizens move to the other side of the pond.
Huh? There are over 2 million US citizens with residence permits in the EU - that's not counting US citizens who are naturalised EU citizens, US citizens who don't need a residence permit to live in Europe permanently, and US citizens living in other European countries. Hardly "very few".
I wonder if in 10 years we will see some treaties that waive the ‘ESTA’ requirement for participating countries… seems this gradual creep of visas (but don’t worry it’s not actually a visa) is going to continue to grow.
If you consider a simple web form a visa, you're clearly lucky enough to never experience the process of getting an actual visa :)
You're obviously not familiar with the workings of the public sector and intergovernmental agencies. At just €7 per person, I doubt this would generate sufficient revenue to cover its colossal costs.
A euro is a euro my friend
Yes, and it'll cost the taxpayer a lot more Euros than it'll generate.
Just like UK.
ADP started at just £10 for long haul.
Now for GA it's £673.
A concept people like DenB would never understand.
A small correction. The ETIAS proposal was initially finalized in 2016, not 2017. So it's been almost a decade of delays
Is this EU or Schengen? Do I need it to go to Ireland? What about Switzerland? I know easily Google-able but idk off the top of my head.
Lower-information travelers than I will probably be even more confused, which is a consequence of the patchwork of institutions covering Europe
According to Google it applies to all EU and Schengen countries, except for Ireland. Switzerland, Cyprus, Norway and Iceland will require it.
Stupid visa in a different name.
An example case that proves these visas are ineffective and only excuses to extort more money.
ESTA isn't enough to prevent Trump from building a wall.
Maybe we might have ETA waivers in the future. And decades after that a new visa called ETATA.
Maybe by 2125 ETATATATATA waivers?
The giant wall Trump built during his previous presidency? And Mexico paid for it?
@Ricardo
No not that wall.
It's the idea of a metaphoric giant wall that would solve the wrong problem but convincing enough for voters to give him 4 more years.
I’m more upset about disappearing passport stamps, though the EU’s uniform format lacked any imagination. I’ll settle for a sticker, a la Japan.
I don't get the fascination with the time consuming ritual of the past. I don't miss corded phones, either.
Fingers crossed the EU ban Trumptards from visiting permanently.
Trumptards trash Europe in the Summer with their loud and uncouth conversations about hop on hop off buses.
That won't happen, partly because there's no way to tell who someone voted for, partly because that would give Trump another reason to bash them.
You fail to mention:
Applicants who are under 18 or above 70 years of age are exempt from this payment. Also exempt are family members of EU citizens or of non-EU nationals who have the right to move freely throughout the European Union.
If a visa is a right to enter a country.
Isn't visa waiver considered a "right to move freely"?
no