Want to Visit Europe Soon? You May Need to Apply for New Travel Authorization

Updated at 1:30 p.m. April 3

United States citizens visiting the United Kingdom and Europe haven’t previously needed a visa waiver or travel authorization to enter these countries.

But that’s all changed starting this year, as the U.K. now requires an electronic travel authorization (ETA) for visitors from countries including the U.S., Canada, Australia and New Zealand. And if you have a UK trip planned any time soon, you might consider applying for this authorization soon, as the cost of an ETA application will rise by 60% on Wednesday. (Jump straight to how to apply for an ETA to visit the U.K.)

The European Union also plans to introduce its own visa waiver document called an ETIAS for visitors, including U.S. citizens. The ETA and the ETIAS processes are separate, as the U.K. officially left the European Union in 2020.

But if you were planning to visit Europe this year, you’ll be glad to know there’s one less thing to arrange, at least: While the EU had originally planned to implement ETIAS in mid-2025, the system has now been delayed until late 2026.

The good news is that the online process for obtaining permission to travel to these areas should be fairly simple — and speedy. So, if you’re hoping to visit Europe this year or in 2026, keep reading for everything you need to know about obtaining the right travel authorization before your visit.

• Jump straight to: What permissions will U.S. citizens need to visit Europe?

New travel rules for U.S. citizens visiting the UK in 2025

What will change in 2025 about travel to the U.K.?

If you’re a U.S. citizen visiting the U.K., you’ll now need to apply online for an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) for any travel to (and through) that country.

This new requirement, which came into effect on Jan. 8 this year, includes any children who are traveling and also applies to travelers who are just transiting through the U.K.

After applying, you’ll receive an email confirmation. This authorization will be digitally linked to the passport you applied with and will last for two years — during which time “you can travel to the U.K. as many times as you want,” according to the U.K. government website.

Dual citizens who have British or Irish citizenship do not need to apply for an ETA and should enter the UK using their British or Irish passport as proof of their exemption.

As of April 2, European visitors to the UK also need to apply for an ETA.

How do I apply for an ETA?

The U.K. Home Office recommends that you apply for your ETA before booking your travel to the U.K. If you already have a trip planned, you might consider applying for your ETA early anyway: the cost of an ETA application will go up by 60% on Wednesday.

U.S. citizens can apply for an ETA via:

• The official U.K. ETA app for iPhone or Android or
• The official gov.uk website

The U.K. government strongly recommends applying via the app and has a detailed guide to applying for an ETA this way. However, if you’re applying for someone else who is not with you in person during the application — for example, one of your travel party — they advise applying online rather than using the app.

To apply, you’ll need to upload a photo of your passport and, for travelers age 10 and over, your face. You’ll then be asked several questions and pay the cost of the application, which is currently £10 (around $12.50) and will rise to £16 (around $21) on Wednesday.

Beware of any third-party website seeking to charge you more for processing your ETA application.

How long will getting an ETA take?

The U.K. government says that the ETA app “enables most applicants to receive a decision in hours” and that applicants will “usually get a decision within 3 working days, but you may get a quicker decision.”

However, the Home Office warns that it may “occasionally” take longer than three working days. So make sure you apply for your ETA well ahead of your departure date.

What if my ETA application is unsuccessful?

The U.K. Home Office says that if your ETA application is “rejected,” you’ll be informed of the reason and can apply again.

But if your ETA application is “refused,” you won’t be able to apply again, and you can’t appeal the decision. Instead, you’ll have to apply for a visa to visit the U.K.

New travel rules for U.S. citizens visiting Europe in 2026

What do I need to know about visiting Europe as a U.S. citizen in the next few years?

In 2024, European Union officials announced that U.S. citizens visiting 30 European countries would soon need to apply online for travel authorization through the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS).

ETIAS was originally scheduled to come into effect sometime in mid-2025. But the latest headline for would-be travelers to know: In March, the EU announced that ETIAS had been postponed until “the last quarter of 2026.”

There is no firm 2026 date for ETIAS travel authorizations coming into effect, and applications aren’t open. The EU says that officials will announce a specific opening date “several months prior” to the system’s launch, and that “no action is required from travelers at this point.”

When ETIAS does launch, this new requirement will include any children who are traveling and will also apply to travelers who are transiting through these countries. You’ll apply for ETIAS online, after which you’ll receive an email confirming your ETIAS travel authorization has been successful. This authorization will then be digitally linked to the passport you applied with and will last for three years or until your passport expires — whichever comes first.

Remember, the ETA and the ETIAS processes are separate, as the U.K. officially left the European Union in 2020, so even if you have a valid ETA to visit the UK, you’ll still need an ETIAS to enter Europe when the system is implemented.

Which European countries will U.S. citizens need ETIAS travel authorization to visit in 2026?

The full list of countries that U.S. citizens will need ETIAS travel authorization to visit in late 2026: France, Italy, Spain, Germany, Portugal, Iceland, Croatia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden and Switzerland.

U.S. citizens who also have European Union (EU) nationality will not need to apply for ETIAS travel authorization. See who else will be exempt from ETIAS travel authorization.

How will I apply for ETIAS travel authorization when it comes into effect?

When applications open in 2026, you’ll apply online on the EU’s website. Applications will cost €7 (around $7–$8), but those costs are waived for minors. Read more about the types of information you’ll be asked to provide in your application.

One important thing if you’re planning to visit Europe in late 2026: To receive ETIAS travel authorization, your U.S. passport will need to be valid for more than three months after you’d be leaving Europe. Also, your passport can’t be older than 10 years. So, if you were looking for a reason to renew your U.S. passport, 2025 or 2026 might be a good time.

When applications open, beware of any third-party website seeking to charge you more for processing your ETIAS travel authorization application.

How long will getting ETIAS travel authorization take?

The EU says that most ETIAS travel authorization applications “will be processed within minutes and at the latest within 96 hours” — but warns that “some applicants may be asked to provide additional information or documentation or to participate in an interview with national authorities, which may take up to additional 30 days.”

For this reason, “we strongly advise you to obtain the ETIAS travel authorization before you buy your tickets and book your hotels,” officials say. So, if you’re hoping to visit Europe in 2025, it’s worth keeping an eye on the EU’s official ETIAS website for updates.

What if my ETIAS travel authorization application is unsuccessful?

The EU lists several reasons your ETIAS travel authorization could be denied, including if you’re “considered to pose a security, illegal immigration or high epidemic risk.”

If you’re denied, you’ll be told the reason by email, which will also provide information about your options to appeal the decision.