I’m sure some of us avid travelers knew this would be coming… you will now have to register for travel authorization to Europe in 2023. The European area called the Schengen Zone will be changing its requirements for travel coming next year. According to the website Etias.us, this registration system is being implemented, ”as a response to global security issues and travelers’ current needs. This way, ETIAS will offer quicker, more modern, and efficient border checks to third-country citizens.”
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What is ETIAS?
The European Travel Information and Authorization System or ETIAS for short will be a requirement when traveling in Europe for US citizens and more. It will be implemented on January 1, 2023. For US citizens you will fill out an online form, mandatory for when entering the Schengen states. This is not a visa, however, it is a visa waiver. You won’t have to go to the Embassy or anything like that. It’s all completed online.
Who has to Fill it out?
Required for citizens over 18, you will need to fill out the form online, provide the first entry state “country” and also answer some security and background questions. I did investigate further about that “over 18” comment on the description page of their website, and it is answered on the FAQ site that all individuals above infants must have the forms completed and approved. The difference is minors do not pay the fees.
Those security and background questions can include certain health questions as well as if you have been to any conflicting states in the recent past as well. You will be required to provide your valid passport information, and it looks like there will be fees involved however the cost is not listed as of yet.
What are the Time frames like?
The total time it takes to fill out the paperwork is estimated to be 10-20 minutes, and approval is supposedly immediate, however, it is asked that these forms be filled out at least 3 days prior to travel. If you do not have these forms filled out upon arrival in the Schengen Zone, you may be turned away. Once you are approved for your ETIAS it will be valid for 3 years. It will allow you entry for up to 90 days within a 180 day period.
This change is ABSOLUTELY something to think about when it comes to planning your travel for 2023.
If you would like to try and get to Europe before this change occurs, or are simply ready to start looking at taking a trip, contact me on my Need a Travel Agent? page and leave me some info on where you want to go! We’ll chat about getting you on your way.
European Travel Authorization ETIAS 2023
Resources:
https://www.afar.com/magazine/us-citizens-will-need-a-visa-to-travel-to-europe-starting-in-2021
