From 2025, you'll need to add a little extra to your Europe travel budget, as new fees will be introduced as part of the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS).
Barring further delays, Americans and other non-EU travelers who don't need a visa will need to pay 7 euros (about $7.60) and fill out a simple online form before flying to Europe. The new fee was initially scheduled for 2021 but was postponed to November 2023, then to 2025. The fee could be postponed again, but take this as a wake-up call to prepare for when the time comes.
Applying for ETIAS is actually quite simple. You'll need to provide your passport details, your first European destination, and answer a few background questions. Most applications are approved in around 10 minutes, but you might be one of the lucky ones who needs additional documentation or an interview, so plan ahead.
Once approved, your ETIAS pass will be valid for three years or until the expiry of your passport. Make sure you get this approval before making any other travel reservations, such as flights or accommodation.
Although the new procedure is less onerous than the old one, you should still keep ETIAS in mind when planning your next trip to Europe. You can find all the relevant FAQs here.
