us travel in europe

New requirements for Americans traveling to Europe postponed until 2025

Visitors who now travel visa-free will need to get approval prior to departure.

Americans eyed upcoming travel to European destinations slightly differently due to news of a requirement that was set to start in 2024 for U.S. passport holders. But now, EU officials have postponed the European Travel Information and Authorisation System ( ETIAS ) launch until spring of 2025.

SchengenVisaInfo.com, a website dedicated to the world's largest visa-free zone where 27 European countries abolished their internal borders known as the Schengen Area, first reported that an EU official confirmed ETIAS won't go live until May 2025, "due to continued delays with the introduction of the related Entry-Exit System (EES), which needs to be operational before ETIAS can be implemented."

An official for the European Union did not immediately respond to ABC News' request for comment.

What to know about ETIAS for US travelers

If you previously traveled to Europe without a visa, you will now need to apply for authorization through the ETIAS , before visiting.

Today, American travelers have visa-free access to 184 global destinations, according to the Henley Passport Index . And while the U.S. passport is currently ranked eighth-most powerful passport to own, that could be set to shift when the European Union adds its new documentation requirements for U.S. visitors.

The application form, which will be available on the official ETIAS website as well as a mobile application, has a fee of 7 euros or $7.79 U.S. dollars. All communication is done by email.

Once you are approved for travel, the authorization entitles visitors to stay in European countries that require ETIAS for up to 90 days within any 180-day period and travelers must be in possession of a valid ETIAS during their entire stay.

MORE: New warning issued for rebooking air travel after delays, cancellations

According to ETIAS, most applications should be processed within minutes, but in case an application takes longer, decisions will be sent within four days or up to 14 days if the applicant is asked to provide additional documentation.

The European Union encourages travelers to apply for an ETIAS authorization "well in advance of your planned journey."

Related Stories

James, Jennifer Crumbley sentenced to 10-15 years

• Apr 9, 1:13 PM

Body of 3rd Key Bridge victim recovered

• Apr 9, 10:48 AM

4.8 magnitude earthquake rocks Northeast

• Apr 6, 2:30 PM

Confirmation of application submission will be sent on email with a unique number that is needed for future reference.

Upon receiving ETIAS travel authorization, travelers are to ensure that their name, passport number and other information is correct because any mistake will prevent them from crossing the border.

If an application is refused, the email will include the reasons for the decision along with information about how to appeal.

ETIAS travel authorization is valid for three years, according to the EU, or until the travel document you used in your application expires, whichever comes first.

MORE: European heat wave breaking records with little relief in sight

The ETIAS authorization is linked to a person's travel document -- such as a U.S. passport -- and both documents will be needed to board a flight, bus or ship to enter any of the European countries that require ETIAS.

Similar to international border requirements with a passport, the ETIAS authorization doesn't guarantee automatic right of entry. "Border guards will verify that you meet the entry conditions" and anyone who does not meet the conditions "will be refused entry," according to the EU.

Click here to learn more about the process from the European Union.

An earlier version of this story was originally published on July 21, 2023.

Related Topics

PHOTOS: Solar Eclipse

• Apr 8, 1:57 PM

Dead baby on highway linked to murder-suicide

• Apr 9, 6:15 PM

ABC News Live

24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events

Situation in Haiti April 5, 2024

U.s. citizens in haiti, update january 10, 2024, information for u.s. citizens in the middle east.

• Travel Advisories |
• Contact Us |
• MyTravelGov |

Find U.S. Embassies & Consulates

Travel.state.gov, congressional liaison, special issuance agency, u.s. passports, international travel, intercountry adoption, international parental child abduction, records and authentications, popular links, travel advisories, mytravelgov, stay connected, legal resources, legal information, info for u.s. law enforcement, replace or certify documents, before you go.

Learn About Your Destination

While Abroad

Emergencies

Share this page:

Crisis and Disaster Abroad: Be Ready

What the Department of State Can and Can't Do in a Crisis

Information for U.S. Citizens about a U.S. Government-Assisted Evacuation

Traveler's Checklist

Safety and Security Messaging

Best Practices for Traveler Safety

Staying Connected

Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)

Traveler Information

LGBTQI+ Travelers

Adventure Travel

High-Risk Area Travelers

Travelers with Dual Nationality

Journalist Travelers

Faith-Based Travelers

Pilgrimage Travelers (Hajj and Umrah)

U.S. Students Abroad

Cruise Ship Passengers

Women Travelers

Travelers with Disabilities

Older Travelers

U.S. Volunteers Abroad

Travelers with Pets

Travelers With Firearms

Travel Agents

Travel Safety - Race and Ethnicity

U.S. Travelers in Europe's Schengen Area

Your Health Abroad

Insurance Coverage Overseas

Driving and Road Safety Abroad

Customs and Import Restrictions

Information for U.S. Citizens in Russia – Travel Options Out of Russia

Lodging Safety

In Europe's Schengen area , your passport must be valid for at least six months at the time of your entry. At present, the Schengen area includes most European Union (EU) countries, except for Cyprus and Ireland.

If you are transiting through Canada or the United Kingdom (UK) enroute to the Schengen area : your passport must be valid for at least six months, even though Canada and the UK do not themselves have the six-month rule. If your passport will expire within six months, airlines may not let you board your onward flight to Europe.

Traveling in Europe

If you plan to travel in Europe, you need to know about the Schengen Borders Agreement, which allows you to move freely within a number of countries without border checks. Tourists, exchange students, and people visiting for business from certain countries, like the United States, can travel in the Schengen area for up to 90 days. The Schengen area includes most EU countries, except for Cyprus and Ireland. It also includes four non-EU countries: Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein.

Before you travel to the Schengen area, we recommend you do the following:

• Check the expiration date on your passport book carefully before traveling to Europe. Ensure your passport book is valid for at least six months when you enter the Schengen area. This is especially important for minors under age 16 as their passports are only valid for five years. In contrast, U.S. citizen adults aged 16 and older receive passports that are valid for 10 years.
• Always carry your passport book with you when traveling to another country in the Schengen area. Even if there is no border check at that time, officials may reinstate border controls without notice.
• Be prepared to explain your purpose of travel.
• Be prepared to provide proof of sufficient financial resources for the visit.
• Comply with other entry requirements for each country you will visit or transit.

On our Country Information pages , you can find passport validity requirements and other important information for your destination country. If your passport does not meet the Schengen requirements, you may be:

• Refused boarding by the airline at your point of origin or while transferring planes.
• Denied entry when you arrive in the Schengen area, regardless of how long you will stay.

An immigration official will determine if you qualify for visa-free entry to the Schengen area when you first cross any external Schengen border. You will have to present your passport at that time. The officer may deny your entry if you do not qualify.

You should also check passport validity requirements if traveling onward from the Schengen area to a country outside the Schengen area. You can find this information in our Country Information pages.

HOW LONG CAN I REMAIN?

• With a valid U.S. passport book, you can stay up to 90 days in the Schengen area for tourism or business during any 180-day period. You must wait an additional 90 days before applying to re-enter the Schengen area.
• If you plan to stay in the Schengen area longer than three months, contact the embassy of the country where you plan to spend the majority of your time and apply for a visa.

Countries in the Schengen area may reinstate temporary internal or external border control without notice. U.S. citizens should carry their U.S. passport book at all times when entering or leaving the Schengen area. They should also bring it when traveling between Schengen countries.

How can the U.S. government help me if border officials do not let me enter?

• We can give you the contact information of foreign embassies of the countries you wish to visit.
• We can provide information about hiring an English-speaking foreign attorney overseas if you choose to do so.
• Note: We cannot influence a foreign government’s decision about allowing you to enter. We cannot intervene in another country’s criminal or administrative procedures.

What countries are members of the Schengen Borders Agreement?

Click on the country name for more information.

Bulgaria (entering in March 2024)

Czech Republic

Liechtenstein

Netherlands

Romania (entering in March 2024)

Switzerland

Enroll in STEP

Subscribe to get up-to-date safety and security information and help us reach you in an emergency abroad.

Recommended Web Browsers: Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome.

Learn about your destination

Make two copies of all of your travel documents in case of emergency, and leave one with a trusted friend or relative.

External Link

You are about to leave travel.state.gov for an external website that is not maintained by the U.S. Department of State.

Links to external websites are provided as a convenience and should not be construed as an endorsement by the U.S. Department of State of the views or products contained therein. If you wish to remain on travel.state.gov, click the "cancel" message.

You are about to visit:

What to Know About the State Department's New Travel Advisories for Europe

By Rachel Chang

Between pandemic outbreaks and unrest in much of the world, global travel inherently comes with more anxiety than before. On top of that, earlier in October, officials issued an updated U.S. State Department travel advisory for a slew of countries, ranging from Belize and Italy to South Africa and the U.K, putting them at a Level 2 status cautioning visitors to “exercise increased caution.” While the new batch of advisories captured travelers' attention, the reason they were issued is more complex than it might seem. Most of the updated bulletins were dated October 4 or 5, a few days after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) removed COVID-19 Travel Health Notices from its site, a State Department spokesperson says. That change sparked the new advisories, but also drew attention to the warnings that had existed in each country.  Any time there is an alteration to the listed information, the travel advisory for each country will clearly note the reason for the update at the top. As with countries like Belize , Italy , France , and South Africa , the first line of the advisories read: “Last Update: Reissued with updates to health information”—noting that CDC change was the cause for the new advisory, as COVID-19 had been a major factor in these notices for the greater part of the last couple of years. For many of the nations, that was the sole reason for the update. But the State Department is constantly reviewing the information. Any country with a Travel Advisory at Level 1 (“Exercise Normal Precautions”) or Level 2 (“Exercise Increased Caution”) is reassessed at least every 12 months, while any on Level 3 (“Reconsider Travel”) or Level 4 (“Do Not Travel”) are looked at again every six months, at a minimum.  Moving forward, the State Department’s Travel Advisories will no longer include the CDC’s Travel Health Notices, and the CDC will only issue a notice for a country if a concerning COVID-19 variant is identified that alters recommendations for traveling there.

Large-scale safety warnings

With the health warnings off of these pages, terrorist and civil unrest advisories now sit at the top of many of the countries' pages. The State Department says that if the latest update was related to one of these reasons, it would be clearly labeled up front. Still, the recent update exposed just how many nations are currently at elevated caution levels.

“Level 2 travel warnings are not normal for these countries at this scale,” Jukka Laitamaki of NYU School of Professional Studies ’ Jonathan M. Tisch Center of Hospitality says. “Currently, in Europe only Scandinavian countries and Finland have the lowest Level 1 advisory.”

The State Department doesn’t specify what threats are behind the warnings, so it does mean travelers should be aware of the state of affairs in each country. “Pay attention to [the advisories] and use them as an important part of your travel planning,” he says. “Supplement them with local news from the destinations you plan to travel to and consider your own level of risk tolerance.” It’s possible recent one-off incidents like the Monet painting being defaced in Germany or the upcoming enthusiasm around the World Cup in November could be causes, Rewaken Adventure travel consultant Lori Avirett-Mackenzie says. “So State Department increasing the levels makes sense in a broad and general way,” she says.

Knowing how to use that information for travel planning can be difficult to parse. “There are no universal answers as the decision to travel and where to go when is highly personal,” Sandra Weinacht of Inside Europe . “But from my perspective and experience, I say yes, come to Europe.”  Of course that doesn’t mean completely letting your guard down—it may just be digging deeper into the specifics of where you’re going. Often the travel advisories will caution about certain areas. For instance, while Peru is on a Level 3 warning , there are certain border regions on Level 4. 

“We advise clients to take these alerts seriously, but we also recommend that, together, we dig into the alert and in more detail before changing or cancelling their travel plans to determine if or how the alert affects their specific trip,” Jenny Mikkelson at Travel Beyond says. She reminds that the advisories are issued for entire nations and for a broad range of traveler types, so specifics are important. “The particular destinations a traveler may be visiting may not be anywhere near the points of concern,” she adds.  Even so, Level 4 warnings stating not travel to the country should be heeded, Laitamaki says. As of press time, that list includes Afghanistan, Belarus, Burkina Faso, Burma (Myanmar), Central African Republic, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Mali, North Korea, Russia, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Tonga, Venezuela, Yemen, and Ukraine.

No matter what the advisory level is, it’s also just important to stay smart while on the road. Officials recommend signing up for the State Department's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) program with details of your trip in order to receive the latest safety and security alerts from the U.S. government.

While the advisories can be daunting, it shouldn’t prevent travelers from leaving home. “I believe the best option is to be well-educated and prepared,” Avirett-Mackenzie says. “International travel is key to changing and enlarging our perspectives, helping us all recognize that the vast majority of people everywhere have the same goals and are good and kind people at heart."

By signing up you agree to our User Agreement (including the class action waiver and arbitration provisions ), our Privacy Policy & Cookie Statement and to receive marketing and account-related emails from Traveller. You can unsubscribe at any time. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Can Americans visit Europe this fall after EU decision? It's complicated. What travelers need to know.

Travel to Europe has been complicated this summer due to a hodgepodge of COVID-19 travel restrictions and entry requirements . Some countries are only allowing vaccinated visitors, others are open to all with a negative COVID-19 test or and/or proof of recovery and still others are throwing quarantines into the mix.

The European Union's decision Monday to remove the United States from its list of safe countries due to a spike in COVID cases, essentially recommending a ban of nonessential travel such as vacations, adds more confusion to the mix for travelers with plane tickets or plans in the works to visit Europe this fall.

The EU's announcement is only a recommendation to the 27 countries in the bloc and Monday's announcement said those countries are free to make exceptions for fully vaccinated people.

►EU takes US off safe country list: Recommends Europe travel restrictions tighten for Americans

Travel experts expect most countries to still welcome vaccinated visitors, perhaps adding another requirement for visitors such as a negative COVID test, but confusion is likely to remain until individual countries announce their plans.

Learn more: Best travel insurance

"The headlines are frightening,'' said Scott Keyes, founder of Scott's Cheap Flights, a subscription service for airfare deals. "You see, 'EU bans tourists.' I've got a trip to the EU next week, what am I supposed to do?''

Similarly, Steve Perillo, CEO of Perillo Tours, a New Jersey-based operator of tours to Italy since 1945, said the widely publicized announcement might prompt some vacationers to put off booking new trips until individual countries reaffirm or adjust their entry requirements in the coming days and weeks.

"(Travelers) might say, alright, let me just wait another six months. It's going to be too complicated,'' he said.

Here's what travelers need to know about the EU's decision on COVID travel:

►Europe residents still banned from US :  US keeps travel restrictions in place

Can US citizens still visit Europe?

Yes, at least until — and if — individual countries change their entry requirements. And then the changes might only be the addition of a COVID-19 test or other additional measures.

Travel would only technically be banned for vacations and other leisure trips if the country changes its policy and doesn't allow any nonessential travel, even with a quarantine. 

The European Union's governing body removed the United States from its list of safe countries based on COVID-19 case rates. The U.S. was added to the list in June, opening Europe travel this summer to vaccinated and unvaccinated travelers. Previously, travel was generally only open to vaccinated travelers under EU recommendations announced a month earlier, in May.

►Europe reopening this summer : What American travelers need to know

Keyes of Scott's Cheap Flights said unvaccinated travelers are likely to face the most changes under any new travel restrictions.

"I would imagine most countries will continue to allow in vaccinated Americans,'' he said, noting that many countries rushed to reopen to vaccinated visitors before the EU gave the green light. "If you're unvaccinated you may not be able to travel to as many places in Europe next work or in two weeks as you are able to today.''

Travelers flocked to popular European destinations this summer including Greece, Italy, and France.

Even before the EU's policy change, some European countries and travel companies had already increased restrictions due to the Delta variant.

Earlier this month, Germany reimposed restrictions on unvaccinated Americans. Those who are unvaccinated or unable to show proof of recovery will need to self-isolate for 10 days upon arrival. The quarantine period can end on the fifth day with proof of a negative coronavirus test. 

Previously, unvaccinated travelers had to show a negative coronavirus test to enter Germany. 

Given ever-shifting travel restrictions, Perillo Tours , which just restarted tours to Italy, changed its policy a few weeks ago to require all passengers to be vaccinated. Most already were, Perillo said, with just 3% of passengers having to cancel.

Can vaccinated Americans travel to Europe?

Travelers will have to keep tabs on the entry requirements in individual countries this week and into September. 

Check the websites of the country's tourism board, U.S. embassies in the country, and airline and travel company websites for the latest restrictions if you don't have a travel agent.

►Want to see the Eiffel Tower and other attractions in France : Bring vaccination proof

Can Americans still visit England, other UK countries?

The United Kingdom left the EU in early 2020 so it has its own policies. In early August , England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales lifted quarantine restrictions for vaccinated Americans. Testing is still required to bypass a 10-day quarantine.

Will airlines refund my tickets if I don't want to travel to Europe?

Probably not, unless your airline ticket is refundable or the airline cancels your flight. Travelers who voluntarily cancel trips are likely to receive credit for a future flight, depending on the terms of their ticket.

During the height of the pandemic last year, airlines issued a variety of travel waivers so keep an eye out for any that might make travel changes more flexible. The good news: Even without new pandemic waivers, most major airlines have permanently eliminated those pesky change fees on most tickets.

What is essential travel to Europe?

The EU's list of essential travel allowed during the pandemic includes travel by health care professionals, students, certain workers and government officials, and others.

What are the 27 EU countries?

There are 27 countries in the European Union: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyrpus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden.

Contributing: Bailey Schulz, USA TODAY

• Search Please fill out this field.
• Manage Your Subscription
• Give a Gift Subscription
• Sweepstakes

A Country-by-country Guide to COVID-19 Entry Requirements in Europe

Everything you need to know for a safe and healthy trip to Europe.

When the COVID-19 pandemic first spread around the world, many countries shut their borders. In the years since, countries have opened, welcoming tourists with different vaccination or testing rules in place. 

But many countries in Europe have since dropped travel-related restrictions, reverting back to pre-pandemic times and making it easier than ever to plan a trip. 

Here, we've outlined every country in Europe and its current reopening status, including entry any requirements foreign travelers need to know.

Albania does not require U.S. travelers to show any COVID-19-related documents or tests, according to the U.S. Embassy in Albania .

To get to Andorra, visitors need to go through France or Spain, and therefore abide by the rules and regulations for those individual countries. Beyond that, there are no further entry requirements for coming to Andorra, according to the Andorra tourism site .

Austria is open to travel and there are no vaccination or testing requirements in place, according to the country’s official tourism site . In Vienna, masks must be worn on public transportation. 

Belgium welcomes travelers from the U.S. and does not require them to show proof of vaccination, recovery, or a negative test, according to the U.S. Embassy in Belgium . 

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Bosnia and Herzegovina welcomes U.S. travelers without any COVID-19-related travel restrictions, according to the U.S. Embassy in Bosnia and Herzegovina .

Bulgaria welcomes U.S. travelers without any COVID-19-related travel restrictions, according to the U.S. Embassy in Bulgaria . 

Croatia welcomes U.S. travelers without any COVID-19-related travel restrictions, according to the Croatian National Tourist Board .

Cyprus has eliminated all COVID-19-related entry restrictions, according to the Deputy Ministry of Tourism . Masks remain mandatory on public transportation. 

Czech Republic

The Czech Republic has eliminated all COVID-19-related entry restrictions, according to the Ministry of the Interior of the Czech Republic .

Denmark eliminated all of its COVID-19 entry and internal restrictions, according to the government’s COVID-19 website .

Estonia has eliminated all COVID-19-related rules, according to the government .

Finland has lifted all COVID-19-related entry rules, according to the Finnish government .

France has lifted all pandemic-related entry rules, according to the French government .

There are no longer any COVID-19-related entry rules for travel to Germany, according to the German Missions in the United States .

Greece has lifted all pandemic-era travel rules, according to the government . Greece has an optional Passenger Locator Form travelers can choose to fill out.

Hungary has lifted all COVID-19-related entry rules, according to the Hungarian Police .

Iceland welcomes travelers without any pandemic-era entry rules in place, according to Iceland’s COVID-19 website .

Ireland has removed all COVID-19-related entry rules for travel, according to the government .

Italy has lifted all COVID-19-related travel rules, according to the country's National Tourist Board .

Travelers entering Kosovo are not required to show proof of vaccination, according to the U.S. Embassy in Kosovo , but the embassy recommends travelers bring such proof. The country also doesn’t require pre-arrival testing, but the embassy said some airlines may.

Access to public institutions, malls, and indoor dining inside does require proof of vaccination or proof of a negative COVID-19 test for customers over 16.

Latvia has lifted all COVID-19-related travel rules, according to the Latvian tourism board .

Liechtenstein

Liechtenstein, a landlocked country, is accessible through Switzerland or Austria. Switzerland handles all immigration for Liechtenstein. COVID-19-related travel restrictions have been lifted in Liechtenstein, according to the European Union .

Lithuania no longer requires any pre-arrival testing or proof of vaccination to visit, according to the national tourism development agency .

Luxembourg welcomes travelers from all countries, regardless of their vaccination status, according to the U.S. Embassy in Luxembourg . Travelers do not need any pre-arrival COVID-19 tests.

Malta has eliminated all pandemic-related travel restrictions, according to the Malta Tourism Authority .

Moldova does not have any COVID-19-related entry restrictions in place for U.S. travelers, according to the U.S. Embassy in Moldova .

To get to Monaco, most visitors must travel through France. Monaco does not have any pandemic-related travel restrictions in place, according to the government .

Montenegro does not have any COVID-19-related entry rules in place, according to the U.S. Embassy in Montenegro . Face masks are required on public transportation, according to the country’s government .

Netherlands

The Netherlands has lifted COVID-19-related entry rules, according to the government .

North Macedonia

North Macedonia is open to American travelers who are not required to undergo any COVID-related entry requirements, according to the U.S. Embassy in North Macedonia .

Norway has discontinued all COVID-19-related entry restrictions, including pre-arrival testing, according to the government . 

Poland has lifted all pandemic-era entry rules, including for vaccination and testing, according to the government . 

Portugal, including the Azores and Madeira, no longer requires proof of vaccination or a negative test to enter, according to Visit Portugal .

Romania has lifted all pandemic-era entry rules, according to the government . 

San Marino is a landlocked country surrounded by Italy. The country doesn’t have any specific COVID-19-related entry rules, according to the International Air Transport Association .

Serbia has removed all COVID-19-related entry restrictions, according to the U.S. Embassy in Serbia .

Slovakia has lifted all pandemic-related entry rules, according to Slovakia Travel . Travelers no longer have to show any proof of vaccination or tests to enter hotels, restaurants, or other venues.

Slovenia has eliminated pandemic-era travel restrictions, according to the government .

Spain has dropped all COVID-19-related health controls at entry points, according to the government , becoming one of the last European countries to do so. However, the country still asks that travelers from outside the European Union travel with either proof of vaccination administered within 270 days, proof of a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of departure, proof of a negative rapid antigen test taken within 24 hours of departure, or proof they contracted COVID-19 and recovered within 180 days.

Sweden no longer has any COVID-19-related entry restrictions, according to the Public Health Agency of Sweden .

Switzerland

Switzerland has lifted all COVID-19-related entry rules, according to the Federal Office of Public Health .

Turkey is open to foreign travelers and does not have any COVID-19-related entry rules in place, according to the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Turkey .

Visitors to Ukraine must show proof of either vaccination or proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours, according to the U.S. Embassy in Ukraine . Travelers must also have a health insurance policy to cover the potential costs of COVID-19 treatment.

The U.S. Department of State has currently issued a Level 4: Do Not Travel warning against visiting Ukraine due to the ongoing war and Russian invasion.

United Kingdom

The United Kingdom has dropped all COVID-19-related entry rules, according to the government .

Welcome page

System for registering non-EU nationals travelling for a short stay in 29 European countries (starting in the second half of 2024)

Travel authorisation for visa-exempt travellers to enter 30 European countries (starting in mid-2025)

Share this page

Why U.S. Citizens Will Soon Have to Pay a Small Fee to Travel to Europe

T his year marks the last summer that U.S. passport holders can travel to European countries without a new travel document, known as the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) , which comes into effect in 2024.

While there is yet no fixed date for next year’s implementation of the ETIAS program, the entry requirement will impact U.S. citizens—and passport holders from a total of 60 nations—wishing to travel to 30 European countries for stays of up to 90 days. These include the 27 member countries in the Schengen Area —including some of the most popular destinations like France, Germany and Italy—as well as non-Schengen E.U. members Bulgaria, Romania, and Cyprus. Previously, travelers from the U.S. could enter without prior authorization, and the change in policy was made to better track those entering and leaving E.U. countries amid increasing concerns around terrorism and irregular immigration, according to the European Commission . The U.S. has held a similar mandatory travel authorization system, known as the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) since 2009. Visitors from Europe have since been required to have a valid ESTA to arrive in the U.S.

While there has been some confusion about whether ETIAS is a visa, including a misinformed social media post from Donald Trump, the European Commision says it is not a visa but a “small procedural step” to avoid border delays. By comparison, “the procedures for getting a visa to visit Europe are longer, more complex, and more expensive,” Shkurta Januzi, Editor-in-Chief of travel resource website Schengen Visa Info , tells TIME.

“The ETIAS will be one of the cheapest travel authorisations to exist,” says Januzi. ETIAS can be applied for in a number of minutes by providing a few key details, and the application process costs the traveler €7 ($7.72). Januzi notes that visas require fees of more than €80 ($88.2), numerous supporting documents such as bank statements, flight and accommodation reservations, and travel insurance, which is significantly more rigorous than the ETIAS application.

“Sometimes applicants have to wait for months to get a visa appointment, and often, they have to wait over a month to get a response on their application. None of this is required for an ETIAS,” says Januzi, adding that 97% of ETIAS applications are expected to be approved automatically.  

Here’s what else to know about ETIAS and what the new system entails.

What is ETIAS?

ETIAS is an electronic travel authorization document similar to those used in numerous other countries such as the ESTA form, which allows its holders to stay in the U.S. for a maximum of 90 days. Canada, Australia, and New Zealand also have similar requirements for tourists wishing to enter. 

The travel permit will be valid for three years and can be reused for multiple trips amounting to no more than 90 days in a 180 day period of stay. A tourist must have a valid ETIAS for the entire duration of their stay but they are free to leave and come back within the stipulated limit. ETIAS is valid for arrival by air, sea, or land.

How do you apply for ETIAS?

Once the system for granting ETIAS is in place, travelers will be able to apply for the documentation online and the process is supposed to take a few minutes. Travels can apply on the official website run by the E.U. or other licensed intermediaries. The application process is simple but includes some personal information such as a passport number, date and place of birth, and information about the upcoming trip.

Applicants under the age of 18 or over the age of 70 will not be charged for their ETIAS and no medical information, such as vaccine status, will be required. The authorisation is linked to an individual’s passport and customs officials will ask to see the same form of identification to verify if a passenger is eligible to enter the country. Travelers who do not meet the criteria will be refused entry. If an ETIAS application is rejected, applicants will be informed of the reason.

Why have the travel rules changed?

The incoming changes brought about by the European Union are a bid to secure borders and mitigate terrorism risks. The ETIAS program was approved in 2016 and scheduled to be in place during 2021, but there were delays with the adoption of the ETIAS Regulation and the Entry/Exit System (EES) , an automated IT system for registering travelers from third-countries every time individuals cross an EU external border.

What does this mean for U.S. travelers in Europe?

U.S. passport holders planning trips to Europe should try to apply for an ETIAS at least 96 hours prior to departure. While the approval process typically takes a few minutes to process, and days to come back, travelers could be asked to supply additional information or undertake an interview and these additional steps could lengthen the process.

Other than the additional administrative task and a small fee, the process of traveling to Europe will not vastly change: “The impact of the ETIAS requirement on the way Americans travel to Europe is expected to be unnoticeable, if not negligible, since getting an ETIAS will be super quick, easy and cheap,” Januzi asserts. 

She also notes that there will be a “grace period” of six months from the moment ETIAS is implemented. In this time, citizens arriving in the Schengen Zone without a form will be permitted entry to their destination country with a warning to obtain an ETIAS on their next trip so their trip will not be thrown into chaos should they forget.  

More Must-Reads From TIME

• Exclusive: Google Workers Revolt Over $1.2 Billion Contract With Israel
• Stop Looking for Your Forever Home
• Jane Fonda Champions Climate Action for Every Generation
• Hormonal Birth Control Doesn’t Deserve Its Bad Reputation
• The Sympathizer Counters 50 Years of Hollywood Vietnam War Narratives
• Essay: The Relentless Cost of Chronic Diseases
• The Best TV Shows to Watch on Peacock
• Want Weekly Recs on What to Watch, Read, and More? Sign Up for Worth Your Time

Write to Armani Syed at [email protected]

You May Also Like

• Skip to main content
• Keyboard shortcuts for audio player

Wait, do you need a visa to go to Europe now? The new ETIAS requirements, explained

Emily Olson

St. Mark's basilica in Venice is one place U.S. passport holders may not be able to get to without approval under the new ETIAS requirements Andrea Pattaro/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

St. Mark's basilica in Venice is one place U.S. passport holders may not be able to get to without approval under the new ETIAS requirements

Already thinking about next summer's vacation plans? If Europe is on your short list, there could be one extra step to take before boarding that plane.

Starting in 2024, American passport holders traveling to 30 European countries will need authorization via the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS).

Though it may sound complicated, the ETIAS and the reasoning behind it are quite similar to existing travel requirements and reflect increasing fear of terrorism in the U.S., Europe and around the world.

Here's what you need to know.

What is ETIAS? Is it a visa?

While some media outlets are taking a cue from the European Union's travel site and calling this a visa, in truth, ETIAS is more like a travel authorization form.

Summer air travel could be expensive and chaotic. Here's how to avoid trouble

"It's definitely not a visa," said Dan Hamilton, a senior non-resident fellow for foreign policy at the Brookings Institution. "It's an electronic entry-point, an authorization for countries that are currently visa-free."

Even the European Commission has said as much (and in bold letters) , writing this is "not a visa" but rather an "automated IT system" in a press release on the discussions around it back in 2018.

Whatever you want to call it, the ETIAS form is not what you'd seek if you're trying to work or live in Europe, but rather what you'll need for short-term trips — up to 90 days within any 180-day period.

Why is it being implemented?

These new requirements have been years in the making, stemming back to a rise in terrorism fears following 9/11. It's very similar to the Electronic System for Travel Authorization — or ESTA — program that the U.S. implemented in 2008 .

At the heart of ETIAS is an electronic database system to better track who's coming and going. According to the EU's latest report on terrorism data , EU law enforcement authorities arrested about 388 suspects for terror-related offenses in 2021, more than half of whom were accused of being associated with Jihadist groups based abroad.

The European Commission says ETIAS may have the added impact of cutting down on "irregular migration" (i.e. illegal immigration), but one thing the form is definitely not aimed to do is deter tourism in general.

'Revenge travel' is surging. Here's what you need to know

Crowded cities, inflated airfare and extreme heat disasters may all be making headlines this summer, but many of these European countries are still depending on tourism revenue to help them bounce back from pandemic slumps, Hamilton said.

And the pandemic is another one of the many reasons this new requirement has been delayed by decades — there was no need for ETIAS when countries closed their borders to all travel amid fears of spreading COVID-19.

"Another part of it is simply the pace of the way this parliament and European commission works," Hamilton explained in an interview with NPR. "They're ending their term and pushing through a lot of these directives because parliamentary elections happen next June."

"And getting 30 countries to agree on anything takes a long time," he added.

When does it take effect?

The European Union's website says the new authorization will start in 2024 but hasn't clarified a specific date. A press spokesperson for the union's travel arm did not respond to NPR's request for information.

And, similarly, a spokesperson for the State Department told NPR that the U.S. government website for international travel (travel.state.gov) would be updated "once the regulation goes into effect," but didn't specify when that would be.

"Frankly, I'd be surprised if this starts on time," Hamilton said. The rollout of ETIAS has already been delayed at least once.

But it couldn't hurt to plan ahead for any 2024 travel just to be safe.

Who needs to apply for ETIAS approval?

Basically, all passport holders from 60 countries who can currently travel to most European destinations without a visa — and that includes American passport holders — will now need to get ETIAS authorization for the same trip. That's about 1.4 billion people, by the European Union's estimation.

There are 30 European countries in total on the impacted destination list , including those in the "Schengen Area" — 27 European countries, many that are part of the European Union, that agreed to ease border restrictions to facilitate the movement of people within Europe.

Planning a trip? Here's how to pack like a pro

Those Schengen countries include top vacation spots like France, Italy and Spain.

The other three countries on the list are Romania, Bulgaria and Cyprus, which are all trying to become a part of the Schengen Area soon.

You can check the full list of both impacted passport holders and affected European destinations here.

How can you apply for ETIAS approval (and does it cost money)?

The application isn't open yet, but the European Union says that when it is, all necessary forms can be filled out via a web portal or mobile phone application.

You'll be asked to share personal information such as your date of birth, parents' names and details about your current occupation and previous criminal convictions. You'll also need to share a passport that is not set to expire in less than three months.

Oh, and you'll have to pay a fee of 7 euros (about $8).

When is the right time to apply?

If you want to play it safe, apply well in advance of your trip — no later than a month out.

ETIAS says most applications "are processed within minutes" and decisions are delivered within four days. But that wait could take up to 14 days if you are requested to supply additional information and up to 30 days if you're invited to interview.

It's Been a Minute

Presenting 'life kit': making the most of travel and your time off.

Those denied an application can appeal, but that process could be even lengthier.

The European Union says ETIAS approval will stay valid for three years or until the passport you used in your application expires.

Naturally, you'll also need to follow the ETIAS rules to stay in good standing.

Those with ETIAS approval can stay in the European countries on the list for up to 90 days within any 180-day period. So you can leave and come back, but you can't stay in the confines of the countries on the list for 91 days or more non-stop.

What happens if I don't apply for this and try to travel to Europe?

Your ETIAS approval will be linked to your passport. So without it, airport security (or cruise, bus or train line staff) won't let you board.

In other words, you can kiss that dream vacation goodbye.

• European Commission
• Europe travel
• European Union

BREAKING: Ex-Trump CFO Allen Weisselberg sentenced to 5 months for perjury in former president's civil fraud trial

New travel system for Europe delayed again, to 2025

Americans who are planning to visit Europe in 2024 don’t have to worry about applying to the European Union’s new travel authorization system yet.

For almost a decade now, European Union authorities have been working on a visa-like system called the European Travel Information and Authorisation System . It’s for travelers from “visa-exempt” countries like the U.S., and the U.S. has a similar system.

After several years of delays, ETIAS was expected to go online in 2024, but it has now been pushed back to mid-2025 because its entry/exit database isn’t ready.

The system is not handling applications yet, so American travelers can hold off a bit longer on their paperwork.

Eventually, travelers from visa-exempt countries who want to go to most EU nations, as well as Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein, will have to register online. Most people will have to pay an application fee of 7 euros ($7.70). All of those travelers, including small children, will have to apply.

Travelers from Canada, Mexico, Australia and most South American countries will have to apply through ETIAS as well.

The EU says most applications will be processed within minutes, but some will take days or weeks and require additional information, so it advises people to apply well in advance of their trips.

Assuming authorization is granted, it will be good for three years, or until the user’s passport expires, whichever is first. That authorization will allow travelers to enter those European countries as often as they want for short stays, which are typically 90 days in any 180-day period — assuming border security approves.

Marley Jay is a business news reporter for NBC News Digital.

New requirements for Americans traveling to Europe postponed until 2025

Americans eyed upcoming travel to European destinations slightly differently due to news of a requirement that was set to start in 2024 for U.S. passport holders. But now, EU officials have postponed the European Travel Information and Authorisation System ( ETIAS ) launch until spring of 2025.

SchengenVisaInfo.com, a website dedicated to the world's largest visa-free zone where 27 European countries abolished their internal borders known as the Schengen Area, first reported that an EU official confirmed ETIAS won't go live until May 2025, "due to continued delays with the introduction of the related Entry-Exit System (EES), which needs to be operational before ETIAS can be implemented."

An official for the European Union did not immediately respond to ABC News' request for comment.

What to know about ETIAS for US travelers

If you previously traveled to Europe without a visa, you will now need to apply for authorization through the ETIAS , before visiting.

Today, American travelers have visa-free access to 184 global destinations, according to the Henley Passport Index . And while the U.S. passport is currently ranked eighth-most powerful passport to own, that could be set to shift when the European Union adds its new documentation requirements for U.S. visitors.

The application form, which will be available on the official ETIAS website as well as a mobile application, has a fee of 7 euros or $7.79 U.S. dollars. All communication is done by email.

Once you are approved for travel, the authorization entitles visitors to stay in European countries that require ETIAS for up to 90 days within any 180-day period and travelers must be in possession of a valid ETIAS during their entire stay.

MORE: New warning issued for rebooking air travel after delays, cancellations

According to ETIAS, most applications should be processed within minutes, but in case an application takes longer, decisions will be sent within four days or up to 14 days if the applicant is asked to provide additional documentation.

The European Union encourages travelers to apply for an ETIAS authorization "well in advance of your planned journey."

Confirmation of application submission will be sent on email with a unique number that is needed for future reference.

Upon receiving ETIAS travel authorization, travelers are to ensure that their name, passport number and other information is correct because any mistake will prevent them from crossing the border.

If an application is refused, the email will include the reasons for the decision along with information about how to appeal.

ETIAS travel authorization is valid for three years, according to the EU, or until the travel document you used in your application expires, whichever comes first.

MORE: European heat wave breaking records with little relief in sight

The ETIAS authorization is linked to a person's travel document -- such as a U.S. passport -- and both documents will be needed to board a flight, bus or ship to enter any of the European countries that require ETIAS.

Similar to international border requirements with a passport, the ETIAS authorization doesn't guarantee automatic right of entry. "Border guards will verify that you meet the entry conditions" and anyone who does not meet the conditions "will be refused entry," according to the EU.

Click here to learn more about the process from the European Union.

An earlier version of this story was originally published on July 21, 2023.

Related Topics

Up next in travel—.

Google reveals top destinations for summer vacation 2024

Cybersecurity expert shares what guests, hotels should know in wake of Omni breach

What to know about JetBlue checked bag pricing, increased fees for Trusted Traveler Programs

King Charles III opens parts of Buckingham Palace, Balmoral Castle for 1st time

Shop editors picks, sponsored content by taboola.

• International edition
• Australia edition
• Europe edition

My hike on the hardest trail in Europe – Corsica’s GR20

Even an ‘easy’ part of this 125-mile walking trail on the French island presents challenges for mind and body, but the rewards for persistence are infinite

I ’m on the easiest bit of one of the easiest legs of the GR20 – the self-styled hardest trek in Europe – so naturally here I am alone, lost in a cloud, with hands so cold I am seriously considering peeing on them.

In the guidebook, this was billed as a shortish, flattish day, a mere 10.2 miles (16.5km) with 670 metres of ascent. I had it circled as one to enjoy. Perhaps if it were warm, I would have a dip in Lac de Ninu, douse the fires in my calves. But when hail came, adding spikes to a slapping wind, and thunder began beating a drum behind the blank grey horizon, I thought: “Better put more layers on than take off.” I struggle with the zips, but just about find enough digital strength without resorting to anything unsanitary.

The mist on the high plain of Bocca a Reta is total, snuffing any flickers, muffling any sound, shrinking the world to an alien dome. A black salamander shivers in a divot. Bells clang softly from the necks of unknown beasts. I stop, just as shadows muster at the edge of my visible limit, and soon a man floats into range. He hurriedly relays directions, scratching a map in a sandy hollow. Finding the next refuge, Manganu, seems to depend on being able to see the lake. A bedraggled teenager trundles towards us and meets us with a wince. I wish them bon courage and march on.

Soon the mist lifts enough for me to spot a flag of Corsica , suggesting somehow I have made shelter, despite seeing not a drop of a lake. I poke my head inside the shack to see an old man with a cloth cap covering half his face, and a beard covering the rest. He is sipping a morning pastis and staring into a fire that fills the damp air with woodsmoke. I stamp my feet and shake off some rain, but still he doesn’t turn around. This doesn’t feel right. I look into my guidebook and realise this is not Manganu, but just over a mile north at the Vaccaghja Bergerie . This is, in fact, the stone living room of a shepherd called Noel. He’s seen too much for strays to faze him. Every summer, since that beard was adolescent stubble, he’s been practising transhumance, bringing goats up to graze the mountain grass.

When finally I reach Manganu, I open the door to the refuge and feel the warmth of the gas stove. Wet things are dripping and steaming from every hook. All around me are those I have been walking with for the last few days, clutching mugs or slicing saucisson. Miriam and Valentin catch my eye and shuffle along a bench to make room. I had met them on the first night, up on the eyrie of Ortu di u Piobbiu refuge . While I was busy watching the sun slide away from the valley, the fierce wind was busy lifting my tent from its mooring. I noticed, just as the canvas began cartwheeling down the hill, and in a mad dash grabbed it before it neared a precipice. When I returned to my camp spot, Miriam and Valentin were waiting. They had seen the pantomime and, taking pity, taught me how to pitch when pegs don’t get much purchase by using rocks to slip into the loops where the pegs would normally go. Here they are again, offering a smile, a coffee, a biscuit. We look at the shaking windows and can’t help but laugh: this was supposed to be the easy day.

The GR20 is long – a nearly 125-mile wiggle down the spine of Corsica between Calenzana and Conca – but it’s the height that hurts: 12,700 metres up and down mountains that do not provide welcome. It’s less a walk, more a 10 to 15-day challenge of body mobility. During the first half in particular, one must crawl, clamber, slide and slither over rocks of all types: half-melted bowls, huge flat boulders, rods and ingots of grey and pink. Tiny holds are sole protection from endless falls. Everyone calls it the hardest trek in Europe; they have a point.

So, why bother? Beauty is part of it, of course, at least when the weather behaves. These are places accessible only by foot and hand, with all the spectacle and savagery that implies. Jagged peaks cut soft yellow skies. Waterfalls leap from cliffs. Cols tumble into cauldrons of stone so deep and steep-sided they could hide bandits for decades. However, these are known treasures, equalled or bettered elsewhere. So, again, why?

after newsletter promotion

On the morning of the final day I figure it out. I look up from the rocky plateau of Paliri Refuge to the morning star, hanging above the pines in a virgin sky. The sea, not seen since day two, sleeps under a grey quilt. Soon the sun peeks over the horizon and paints colour across the clouds: purple, peach, a turquoise that belongs in dreams. I take my phone out for a photo, but the scanner doesn’t recognise my worn thumbs. I look to my scarred knee, shivering in the cold, and my grimy fingernails, and then to those all around. Everyone is dirty and hobbling as they gather tents for the final descent. When we catch each other’s eye, we smile. It’s been hard, and we’re tired, but, it’s clear now, the difficulty was the point – because now we know we can do hard things.

That even when waking up in a hill station with freezing wind whipping the tent, back aching from a night on rock, tendons stiff from yesterday, stomach in pieces from a sketchy stew, with rain coming to slick the rocks, and scree subtracting a fifth from every step – that eight hours walking up and down a mountain is possible. That every day’s challenges are soluble. All those mornings when the task seemed too much, we packed up, put our feet on the floor, completed one step, then another, and somehow made the summit. It made the difficulties of normal life seem manageable.

The essence of story is journey and return. A protagonist enters the woods and, in overcoming a trial, gains some wisdom to bring home. Stories are told to excite and entertain, but also to explore sides of human nature that normal life rarely reveals. Hard holidays work the same way. One leaves home, with its trinkets that comfort and coddle and, in devoting every energy to a challenge, none is left to ponder regrets, or sustain petty grievances. In their place, vital truths surface. That one can utter the phrase, “Oh, thank God, they have toilet paper,” and absolutely mean it. That the most banal bromide can hold the most beautiful truth. That happiness is not about new stuff, better clothes, a bigger house; nature and connection are worth far more. That we’re strong and we can do impossible things. Like walking up mountains. Or just being happy. And we pack all that knowledge in our bags and take it down the mountain.

• Corsica holidays
• France holidays
• Walking holidays
• Adventure travel
• Europe holidays

Most viewed

20 random things that are normal in Europe but weird in the U.S.A.

Posted: April 10, 2024 | Last updated: April 10, 2024

20 random things that are normal in Europe but weird in the US

When you travel, cultural differences are always funny to note. After a few years in Europe, I’ve realized a lot of what is considered the norm on the continent would perplex (or at least inconvenience) my peers in the U.S. These are 20 of the most notable. 

Not having a dryer

I’m not sure the reasoning for this, but it is significantly less common to have a dryer in Europe. If you do have one, it’s a part of your washer. In my experience, that is less effective and wrinkles clothes much more easily. Hang dry is the norm here.

You may also like: 18 essential tips for first-time pet owners

Having a kettle in the kitchen

This was something I came across on Instagram and realized — wait, the algorithm actually produced some truth for once! In Europe (and many other countries) an electric kettle to boil water is standard in most kitchens. Not so much back home.

Follow us on MSN to see more of our exclusive lifestyle content.

No screens on windows

OK, this one is seriously annoying in the summer when you want to let a breeze in without the bugs coming to say hi. What is your problem with screens, Europe?

You may also like: 24 ice cream, gelato, and other frozen dessert recipes

Lack of central AC

Maybe it’s the higher percentage of old buildings, but I’ve found central AC to be uniquely American. At least, in a widespread manner. This will vary depending on where in Europe you are, of course.

Walkable cities

It’s no secret Americans love our cars, but that’s also because vehicles are a necessary reality of living in the U.S. In Europe, if you live in an urban center, the public transport is much more robust, but usually, you can get by with walking!

You may also like: Our favorite refreshing foods when the weather is warm

Apartments have no kitchen

No, seriously, in a lot of Europe, notably France and Germany, if you rent “unfurnished” that doesn’t just mean furniture. That also means the kitchen will come with zero appliances and often no sink, floor, or counters. People take their kitchens with them. How weird is that?

Paying for bathrooms

One thing I always take for granted back home is that, if you find public toilets, they’re generally free to use. Not the case in Europe, where you’ll pay between 0.5 and 1 Euro for relief.

You may also like: 20 do’s and don’ts for saving money when shopping online

Paying for water

Another thing that I always take for granted is free water at restaurants and cafes. Now, this varies from country to country, but it’s not a guarantee (or the law) in Europe.

Driving stick

If you rent a car for your Euro trip, make sure you specify you need an automatic. Unless you’re part of the shrinking portion of Americans who can drive a manual, which is still the default in Europe.

You may also like: 20 things you must do in Tokyo

Smoking in public

Those anti-tobacco campaigns in the '90s and 2000s impacted American society in a way you can only truly appreciate after visiting somewhere it didn’t happen. In Europe, where in most countries smoking inside is banned, but people still smoke while seated outside of cafes and restaurants. And the 25-foot from a door does not apply here!

Kids in bars

Many bars on the continent welcome kids — up to a certain hour, anyway. Thus, it’s pretty common to see parents having a drink and their kids enjoying hot chocolate or juice, especially at pubs.

You may also like: 20 Instant Pot dishes that are worth trying

Kids in public more

The U.S. seems to have a lot more separation of what is considered “family” space and what is “adults” only. Whereas in Europe, like the bar example, it’s more common to see children included in all aspects of life from an early age.

Lack of censorship in TV and music

The first time you watch European television programming or listen to the radio, it might come as a shock that they openly swear. No censorship here!

You may also like: 20 top travel destinations for epic marine life

Prices inclusive of tax

You know at home when the price at checkout is always just a bit more than what was listed in the store aisle? Well, that doesn’t exist in Europe, as they just include taxes in the listed price unless noted otherwise.

DD/MM/YYYY date ordering

The U.S. has to deal with numerics differently than the rest of the world in many ways. We still measure temperatures in Fahrenheit and distance in miles. Well, we also list dates in MM/DD/YYYY while most European countries order it DD/MM/YYYY.

You may also like: 13 foods & drinks that cause bad breath and 13 that combat it

Direct bank transfers

No Venmo is needed in Europe because, as long as you have a European bank account, direct transfers are free or low-cost. It might just take a few days, unlike the U.S., where direct transfers are rare or complicated.

Like the cities in Europe are more walkable, they’re also typically more bike-friendly. It isn’t just Amsterdam where bike lanes are common, and you’ll have numerous friends and colleagues commuting on two wheels.

You may also like: 18 easy DIY decor options

Bringing your own shopping bags

I’ll admit: This is common in some parts of the U.S., but more so in Europe.

Taking shoes off in homes

It’s a common joke among Europeans that Americans wear shoes everywhere inside, including on the bed. Apparently, it’s shown in sitcoms a lot? Well, in Europe, most people will request you remove yours before entering their home or even after you step inside.

You may also like: 20 ways to make your home naturally smell amazing

Mayo with fries

Again, varies from country-to-country, but ketchup is usually not the default. If you want red sauce and not mayo with your side of fries, make sure to explicitly say so.

Did you enjoy this slideshow? Follow us on MSN to see more of our exclusive lifestyle content.

More for You

Illinois Democrat: Speaker Johnson ‘should not be punished for doing the right thing’ on Ukraine

One Piece: Where Yamato's Name Comes From

NFC East news: Commanders, Giants draft prep; another Eagles legend officially retires

Dragon's Dogma 2: Affinity System, Explained (& How To Increase Affinity)

ISPs roll out mandatory broadband 'nutrition' labels that show speeds, fees and data allowances

George Miller, Anya Taylor-Joy and Chris Hemsworth Debut High-Octane ‘Furiosa' Footage at CinemaCon

Fani Willis 'Inconsistencies' Discovered by Department of Justice

An Air Purifier That Leads to a ‘Noticeable Decrease’ in Allergy Symptoms Is Only $30 for Prime Members Today

The US Postal Service wants to hike stamp prices again in July. Here’s how much you’ll pay

World Bank unveils new scorecard to measure accountability

Sega Announces the Year of Shadow

2025 Toyota 4Runner Is Finally Here as a Turbo Hybrid Tacoma SUV

How To Use Coffee Grounds To Keep Cats Away From Plants Inside And Out

CEO created a side hustle in his college house—now it brings in $200 million a year: His No. 1 piece of advice

Another Boeing whistleblower has come forward, this time alleging safety lapses on the 777 and 787 widebodies

Masters: Fred Couples fires Tiger Woods warning shot after practice round

Woman's Seed Germination Hack Gets Seeds Started In 48 Hours

14 Black-and-White Dog Breeds That Are Too Cute to Ignore

'American Idol' recap: Loretta Lynn's grandchild wows judges, Jelly Roll grieves with contestant

Map Shows 12 States That Allow Child Marriage After Virginia Passes Law

Best night trains in Europe

Growing in popularity, sleepers offer the perfect combination of travel and accommodation in one

• Newsletter sign up Newsletter

Long-distance train travel is having a moment it seems. Whether the appeal is the old-school romance of being rocked to sleep on the rails, perhaps waking up in another country, concerns about climate change and the carbon footprint of flying, or a desire to experience slow travel and take in more of your surroundings on your journey, a sleeper train offers the perfect combination of travel and accommodation in one. 

Taking a night train across Europe "is an exceptionally convenient, efficient and budget-friendly way to explore the region", said Rail Europe . That's because the price of your ticket also covers the cost of a night's accommodation. "So take the money you would have spent on a hotel and add another leg onto your trip or splurge at your next destination."

Here are some of Europe's best night train journeys.

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

London to Venice

The Venice Simplon Orient Express is the "grand dame of sleeper trains", said The Times . Since being immortalised by Agatha Christie it's "become the byword for yesteryear elegance", as "one of the few surviving chariots of the golden age of travel". Luxe to the max, its interiors feature "wood panelling and lush drapes, antique lamps and art deco mirrors, and a Bar Car with live music". If money is no object, "splash out on one of the six grand suites for marble en suites, butler service and as much champagne as you can glug". Nowadays, you travel from London Victoria "aboard the luxury private Belmond British Pullman" to Paris, before joining the Orient Express for the overnight leg to Venice.

Find out more: belmond.com

Trondheim to Bodo

"Under normal circumstances, the jaw-dropping views offered by any Norwegian rail journey would make a night train a wasted opportunity," said Lonely Planet . However, travel this 430-mile route into the Arctic Circle in summer and "you needn't miss anything – the sun will hardly set". This means you can "enjoy views of woodland, lakes, mountains and tundra at any time of the night", said The Times. In winter it "looks like an understudy for the Polar Express" as it "snakes past pine forests laden with snow". And between September and March there's the chance of seeing the northern lights.

Find out more: sj.no

Brussels to Prague

The European Sleeper leaves Brussels Midi station at around 7.20pm and pulls into Prague just before 11am, "perfect timing for passengers to enjoy lunch and a stroll around the Czech capital before checking into a hotel", said CN Traveller . This route is an extension of the Brussels to Berlin service and "it's an ideal starting point for UK-based travelers looking to snooze their way deeper into Europe", said Lonely Planet, "since there's no need in Brussels to change stations (as in Paris)".

Find out more: europeansleeper.eu

Paris to Vienna

The French capital is "gradually restoring its reputation as a hub for overnight services", said The Times , with plans for multiple routes from 2025. For now, try the Nightjet from Gare de l'Est, a short walk from Eurostar's Gare du Nord, to Vienna. With "perhaps the most perfect timings of any overnight sleeper, leaving mid-evening and arriving just before elevenses", there's plenty of time to "savour this cross-section of Europe". In the evening, you're "traversing Champagne country to Strasbourg", then "sashaying along the Danube from Salzburg in the morning, with a big chunk of Germany in between".

Find out more: nightjet.com

Milan to Palermo

"Long and skinny", Italy is "ideal for train travel", said The Telegraph . And it's "still quite an odyssey" to leave Milan, "one of Europe's grandest railway palaces" and "go all the way to the toe of the boot and cross over to Sicily". This represents "the chance to ride a train and a boat at the same time", said The Times. After leaving the northern capital in the evening, and "heading south through the hours of darkness" it's time to enjoy "coffee and a croissant in your cabin" while "admiring the coastal views". The train is "shunted on to a special ferry" to cross the Strait of Messina to Sicily, and you'll reach Palermo late that afternoon.

Find out more: trenitalia.com

Zurich to Zagreb

Crossing five countries in around 15 hours, this is "one of Europe's most scenic routes", said Lonely Planet. It is particularly "worth taking" in summer, as it passes through Austria and Slovenia – "both countries where you're hard-pressed to find an unattractive railway line". The train leaves Zurich at 7.40pm and, next morning, "be sure to wake up before 8am", said The New Zealand Herald , "as the last section between Ljubljana and Zagreb, when the train snakes alongside the Sava River, is one of the most picturesque".

London-Scotland

One of the UK's two sleepers, both of which "have recently benefited from major upgrades" that "many see as a vote of confidence in the country's overnight services", said Lonely Planet. Departing from London Euston, the "legendary" Caledonian Sleeper heads north "via a series of carriage shuffles unnoticed by the snoozing passenger, reaches Edinburgh, Inverness, Aberdeen, Fort William and points in between". On a moonlight night you can expect "sweeping views of stately castles and remote Highland wilderness", said The Times. These new trains "provide proper 21st-century comforts" including Wi-Fi, room service and complimentary sleep kits. Accommodation options include en-suite double cabins, twin bunks and "comfort seats". And in the morning "the menu features everything from porridge to a cooked full Highland breakfast".

Find out more: sleeper.scot

Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox

A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com

Today's Newspapers A roundup of the headlines from the US front pages

By The Week Staff Published 9 April 24

the week recommends A poetry collection curated by the U.S. Poet Laureate, another adult novel from Julia Alvarez and more

By Theara Coleman, The Week US Published 9 April 24

Under the Radar The once-dominating drink is not aging well

By Anya Jaremko-Greenwold, The Week US Published 9 April 24

The Week Recommends Stay at a zoo in Sydney, or meet vortex hunters in Sedona

By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published 8 April 24

Why everyone's talking about British artist digitally reconstructs original from remaining fragments to create new statue of Roman emperor

By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published 7 February 24

The Week Recommends Featuring a 300-year-old rustic finca in Alicante and a secluded villa with sea views in Sardinia

By The Week Staff Published 29 September 23

By Justin Klawans Published 26 July 23

Talking Point Proposal to shut the vast majority of the 1,000-plus ticket offices across England has prompted uproar

By The Week Staff Published 15 July 23

By Brigid Kennedy Published 26 June 23

By Justin Klawans Published 12 March 23

By Justin Klawans Published 16 October 22

• Contact Future's experts
• Terms and Conditions
• Privacy Policy
• Cookie Policy
• Advertise With Us

The Week is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site . © Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Advertisement

Supported by

Why Can’t Europeans Travel to America?

The European Union has reopened to visitors from the United States, but the traffic has not been two-way. There are few clues as to when that will change.

• Share full article

By Madeleine Ngo

In June, the European Union officially recommended its member countries reopen their borders to American tourists after more than a year of tight restrictions. The United Kingdom also placed the United States on an “amber” list, and on July 28, said fully vaccinated travelers from the U.S. would be allowed entry to England and Scotland without quarantining upon arrival starting Aug. 2.

But residents of Europe’s Schengen area — spanning 29 countries, city-states and micro-states — as well as those in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland are still barred from traveling to the United States , unless they are a U.S. citizen or they spend 14 days before arrival in a country that is not on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s prohibited list . Certain family members are also exempt.

The restrictions were first put in place in March 2020. Although President Donald J. Trump briefly ordered an end to the ban on European travelers during his last week in office, President Biden quickly rescinded the move.

Discussions about when to resume inbound travel have been opaque. In late June, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said it was too soon to say when the United States would lift travel curbs for European Union citizens.

“We are anxious to be able to restore travel as fully and as quickly as possible. We’re very much guided by the science, by our medical experts. That has to be the foundational principle on which we’re looking at this,” Mr. Blinken said at a news conference in Paris, adding that he “can’t put a date on it.”

Jen Psaki, the White House press secretary, said on July 26 that the United States was not yet ready to lift restrictions on international travel, citing concerns over the highly contagious Delta variant, which is now the dominant variant in the U.S.

“The more transmissible Delta variant is spreading both here and around the world,” she said in a White House press briefing, adding that the increase in case numbers appears “likely to continue in the weeks ahead.”

Here’s what we know about the United States’ border closures with European countries.

Who is in charge of the decision-making?

In June, the White House announced the creation of “working groups” with the European Union, the U.K., Canada and Mexico to reopen borders.

“While these groups have met a number of times, there are further discussions to be had before we can announce any next steps on travel reopening with any country,” Kevin Munoz, a White House spokesman, said in a statement. “We have made tremendous progress domestically in our vaccination efforts, as have many of these other countries, but we want to ensure that we move deliberately and are in a position to sustainably reopen international travel when it is safe to do so.”

During the first meeting of the E.U.-U.S. working group, which took place on June 18, officials said they would continue discussions about how to safely reopen travel between the two regions.

“Reciprocity is an important part of our approach to lifting restrictions on non-E.U. countries,” Adalbert Jahnz, a spokesman for the European Commission, said in a statement. He added that the E.U. has “received reassurances that this is a high priority issue for the U.S. administration.”

What are the criteria for reopening travel with Europe?

The Biden administration has repeatedly said that it would rely on the science to guide its decision to relax border restrictions. It has not announced specific benchmarks for reopening.

Even though reported coronavirus cases in the United States have dropped from record-high peaks in the winter, case numbers in July have been on the rise, with public health experts raising concerns about the spread of the Delta variant. The country is reporting an average of about 56,635 new cases a day, according to a New York Times database .

What is the state of the virus in Europe?

After a slow start, vaccination campaigns have started to pick up. The European Union, initially beset with disruptions in supplies of the AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson Covid-19 vaccines, pivoted in April to rely heavily on the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. Reported coronavirus cases also remain at low levels in many parts of Europe as more people get vaccinated, but the spread of variants has fueled some outbreaks.

The United Kingdom has seen a sharp rise in reported cases since dealing with an outbreak of the Delta variant, but most remaining restrictions , including those relating to social distancing and mask wearing, were lifted on July 19 .

Travel lobbying groups and airlines have urged the United States to reopen travel with Europe to bolster the economy. On July 7, a coalition of 24 trade organizations released a blueprint for reopening borders safely, calling for the United States to allow in fully vaccinated travelers from regions that have high vaccination rates and low levels of variants of concern.

“We know international travel can be restarted and particularly with countries that have similar vaccination rates to the U.S.,” Roger Dow, the chief executive of the U.S. Travel Association, said at a webinar on July 7. He specifically called for the United States to immediately reopen travel with the U.K., pointing out that the country has fully vaccinated about 51 percent of its population .

Some public health experts have also called for the reopening of international travel for vaccinated people.

Barry Bloom, a research professor and former dean of the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, said that United States officials may be wary of the spread of more contagious variants, but that the presence of the Delta variant was already evident in the country.

“Keeping the Brits out is not going to change that fact,” Dr. Bloom said.

Which other countries are on the prohibited travelers list?

The C.D.C.’s list of countries from which travel is prohibited also includes China, Iran, Brazil, South Africa and India.