The days of spontaneous holidays abroad are long gone.
From 2024, the European Union will require visitors to obtain prior approval through the European Travel Information and Authorization System – and that goes for summer jet-setters from the United States.
Before getting tickets, accommodation, or a reservation at that hip hotspot you saw on TikTok, vacationers will need to submit an ETIAS application for about $8.
Applicants will be required to provide travel documents, such as a passport, as well as personal information, level of education, current occupation, details of intended travel and any criminal convictions.
While most applications are processed within minutes, some take longer to reach a decision and the European Union advises visitors to apply “well in advance”.
A response is promised within four days but can be extended from 14 to 30 days depending on the circumstances.
However, once permission is obtained, it is valid for up to three years or until the visitor’s passport expires.
“With a valid ETIAS travel authorisation, you can enter the territory of these European countries as often as you wish for short-term stays – normally up to 90 days within a 180-day period,” the EU website says.
“However, this does not guarantee entry. Upon arrival, a border guard will ask to see your passport and other documents and verify that you meet the entry requirements.
Travel authorization is only needed to enter 30 European countries, including Spain, Germany, France and Greece – sorry, “Mama Mia!” Fans.
Although the requirement was announced to come into force in January 2024, experts doubt that it will actually be implemented then, having already reached multiple delays.
CBS News editor Peter Greenberg said “there is nothing stopping” the United States from implementing its own visa fees and application process.
“It won’t be complicated, it’s just a boredom” he said, per CBS News. “Most Americans, in fact all Americans, aren’t used to doing this to go to Europe, so there will be a lot of surprises at the gates with people being denied boarding in the first two weeks if this goes into effect.”
