Visiting Europe? What to know about ETIAS

What to know about Schengen zone, Europe’s ‘border-free’ travel system and ETIAS

What is the Schengen travel zone?

Often referred to as the “crown jewel” of European integration policies, the Schengen zone is the European Union’s passport-free travel space. It was first established in 1985 with the abolition of passport controls and the creation of a shared visa policy in Belgium, Germany, France, Luxembourg and the Netherlands. With the inclusion of Bulgaria and Romania, it encompasses 29 countries without internal border controls. That means travelers, whether international tourists or European residents, can move freely between member states without having to worry about extra visas, immigration control or mandatory ID checks.

With the recent addition of Romania and Bulgaria, and the addition of Croatia last year, the Schengen area includes every country in the E.U. except Ireland and Cyprus. Four non-E.U. countries are also included: Switzerland, Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein.

What are the travel benefits of Schengen countries?

International travelers who are visa-exempt or who have obtained a Schengen visa are free to move between member countries as tourists for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. This means that someone who is authorized to visit Romania, for example, is then also able to visit Croatia and France without another passport check.

The Schengen zone helps save travelers time and money, because there are no extra visas or passport checks when they travel between member countries.

What do Americans need to enter Schengen countries?

Americans can enter the Schengen zone with a valid U.S. passport for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. Longer stays, such as those for school or work, require specific visas from the country where you plan to spend most of your time.

While additional travel between Schengen countries would not usually require additional passport checks, the U.S. State Department recommends that travelers keep their passport with them while traveling, in case of temporary border control changes.

Although a visa is not currently required for U.S. citizens to visit Schengen countries, it’s going to change a little bit in 2025.

Travelers from the United States and other “visa-exempt” countries to Europe may soon have to apply to enter through the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS). The application would be required of any traveler planning a short-term stay or combination of stays (up to 90 days within a 180-day period), and would be filled out online at least a month before the desired travel date. The application will cost travelers 7 euros, or roughly $8, and will last three years.

While the E.U. has not yet announced a specific date when ETIAS verification will be implemented, the latest timeline projects the program will start in mid-2025.

Are there any limits to travel in the Schengen zone?

While the Schengen zone was created to be a space free of internal border controls, some countries now implement temporary border controls, largely with the purpose of controlling and limiting migration from non-European countries. Recently, that has included Germany, Italy, Austria, Denmark, France and others.

These temporary border controls mean travelers may be stopped and asked to show identity documents, such as a passport.

Just as there are no permanent restrictions for sea or air travel between Schengen countries, there are also no restrictions for land travel among the majority of Schengen countries. This means that travelers driving or taking a train from Italy to France, for example, would not have to show their passports or stop at an immigration checkpoint.

The only exceptions to this rule are Romania and Bulgaria. Though this restriction means the countries don’t yet enjoy the full benefits of being Schengen and E.U. members, leaders of both countries expect to expand Schengen entry to land borders sometime this year.