- The new travel requirement to visit most European countries has been postponed until 2025. It was scheduled to come into force in 2024 and has been postponed multiple times.
- The requirement is an online travel authorization through the European Travel Information and Authorization System, or ETIAS.
- It aims to strengthen security checks on people who can visit Europe’s Schengen area without a visa from more than 60 countries, including the United States.
Thirty European countries have delayed implementation of the ETIAS travel authorization plan for U.S. and other foreign visitors until 2025. Picture, Krakow, Poland.
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The new requirement, which was planned to come into effect next year for American passengers going to Europe, has been postponed again until 2025.
Requirement — an online travel authorization through the European Travel Information and Authorization System or ETIAS — valid for visitors 30 European countriesIncluding popular destinations such as France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Portugal and Spain.
Americans will not be allowed to visit without permission.
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Until late last week, the European Union had telegraphed that the ETIAS program would start in 2024. This has now been postponed to next year.
The system “will be ready to go into operation in Spring 2025,” according to a statement. announcement Following the meeting of the European Council on 19-20 October.
European Union Web site Language has been similarly updated for ETIAS, citing “mid-2025” as the new official start date. It is stated on the EU website that no applications are currently being collected as the program is not yet functional.
A European Commission spokesman did not respond to a request for comment on the delay by press time.
European Commission in 2016 suggested Establishing ETIAS to strengthen security checks on people from more than 60 countries (including the United States) who can visit Europe’s Schengen area without a visa. The new European system is similar to this One USA stepped in in 2008.
Travel permit requirement requiring a non-refundable fee of 7 euros per person, or currently approximately $7.40 exchange – has already been postponed many times. It was originally scheduled to come into force in 2021, then in 2023 and 2024, and now in 2025.
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People under the age of 18 and over the age of 70 are exempt from the application fee.
Most applications will be processed within minutes and within four days at the latest. according to this To the EU. However, the EU said this could take longer (up to an additional 30 days for travelers who are asked to provide extra information or documentation or to be interviewed by national authorities).
“We strongly recommend that you obtain the ETIAS travel permit before purchasing your tickets and making your hotel reservations,” the EU website said.
ETIAS authorization is valid for three years or until your passport expires, whichever occurs first. Travelers with a valid ETIAS do not need to apply for a new ETIAS each time they visit Europe.
