Separate thread to discuss ETIAS/EES requirements for travel from the USA to the EU. (Different from the UK ETA.) No date for ETIAS yet. See update.

[sayhello]

Hi, I'm creating this thread as a separate discussion for the EU ETIAS, as people were getting it confused with the UK ETA. ETIAS stands for "European Travel Information and Authorisation System". There is no set date yet for when the requirements to get an ETIAS to travel from the USA to the EU will take effect. Just "springtime 2025" or "later this year".

Note that this requirement is just for the EU, and not for all of Europe.

The implementation of the ETIAS has been postponed 3 times since 2022 (it was announced in 2022, 2023 and 2024) so there is some skepticism as to whether or not 2025 will be the actual year or not. Who knows? Stay tuned!

This is a Travel Authorization and NOT a Visa. It will be much simpler and cheaper to get. There will most likely be an app for the application and it will cost €7.

Here are a couple of useful links about the ETIAS:

Official EU website:
https://home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/p...an-travel-information-authorisation-system_en

An informational website (not where you go to apply for the ETIAS).
https://etias.com/

One thing to note is that for people under 18 and over 70, there is no charge for the ETIAS. You still have to apply and get an ETIAS, but the app won't charge you.

I'll add more information as we get a clearer idea of when this will go into effect.

Sayhello

 

[Bad Pink Tink 2.0]

Adding on, these are the countries that ETIAS will be needed for.

1. Austria,
2. Belgium,
3. Bulgaria,
4. Croatia,
5. Cyprus,
6. Czech Republic,
7. Denmark,
8. Estonia,
9. Finland,
10. France,
11. Germany,
12. Greece,
13. Hungary,
14. Iceland,
15. Italy,
16. Latvia,
17. Liechtenstein,
18. Lithuania,
19. Luxembourg,
20. Malta,
21. Netherlands,
22. Norway,
23. Poland,
24. Portugal,
25. Romania,
26. Slovakia,
27. Slovenia,
28. Spain,
29. Sweden,
30. Switzerland

• American tourists to Republic of Ireland will not need an ETIAS

 

[SirDuff]

Note that this requirement is just for the EU, and not for all of Europe.

Not totally true (see the list from the poster below). It also includes some non-EU countries, like Switzerland. I think that the non-EU countries are all Schengen countries (Switzerland is), but not totally sure so best to check for the country/countries that you plan to visit.

 

[Mathmagicland]

Delayed again, new ETA is now end of 2026.

https://thepointsguy.com/news/europe-travel-visa-etias-what-to-know/

https://travel-europe.europa.eu/revised-timeline-ees-and-etias-2025-03-07_en

 

[jimmymc]

Delayed again, new ETA is now end of 2026.

https://thepointsguy.com/news/europe-travel-visa-etias-what-to-know/

https://travel-europe.europa.eu/revised-timeline-ees-and-etias-2025-03-07_en

It's like there's a contest between ETA and REAL ID to see who can be delayed the longest.

 

[sayhello]

It's like there's a contest between ETA and REAL ID to see who can be delayed the longest.

Too true. Except it's ETIAS, not ETA. ETA (the UK version) successfully started in January. But that's probably because the scope and number of countries involved for the UK is *much* smaller!

Sayhello

 

[Mathmagicland]

There is now a start date - 12 October 2025 with phased implementation, to be fully implemented by 10 April 2026 —

https://travel-europe.europa.eu/en/ees

 

[sayhello]

There is now a start date - 12 October 2025 with phased implementation, to be fully implemented by 10 April 2026 —

https://travel-europe.europa.eu/en/ees

Oooo, thanks for the update! I hadn't heard this yet!

ETA: Nope, it actually looks like this is a different system from the ETIAS.

https://travel-europe.europa.eu/en/etias/about-etias/news-corner/Key-differences-ETIAS-and-EES

The European Union is preparing for the launch of two new border management initiatives that will affect travel to Europe: the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) and the Entry/Exit Systems (EES). How will travel rules change and how are these two systems different? Find out below.

Why?

Both systems aim to strengthen European security and security of those who travel.

ETIAS is a new entry requirement for travellers who do not need a visa to enter 30 European countries for a short stay. These include the 27 countries belonging to the Schengen Area as well as Bulgaria, Cyprus, and Romania. With ETIAS, visa-free travellers will need to apply for a travel authorisation before starting their trip. ETIAS is not a visa, and its introduction does not modify the visa-free status of travellers.

The EES will register visa-free and visa-required travellers entering Europe for a short stay. No action will be required from travellers before they start their trip, as registration will be done at the external border of any of the 29 European countries using the system. The countries in question include the 27 Schengen countries, Bulgaria, and Romania. Registration on the EES will be done every time travellers cross external borders and will replace the manual stamping of passports.

ETIAS and the EES will not be launched at the same time. The EES will become operational first and ETIAS will follow a few months after.

The exact dates will be announced by the EU later this year.

Sayhello