30 European Countries Will Require Americans to Have a Travel Pass Starting in 2024
In 2024, if you’re planning a trip to places like La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona or a gondola ride in Venice, you’ll need to get a travel pass ahead of time. This pass, called ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System), is different from the usual tourist taxes and is set to launch in 2024. Americans, along with travelers from Canada and Great Britain, currently don’t need any special visa or pass for short visits to the Schengen area and other European parts under 90 days. But ETIAS will change that.
ETIAS stands for European Travel Information and Authorisation System. It’s like a visa, but not quite the same. It’s more like a travel pass or a visa waiver, similar to what some foreign travelers need when they visit the US or get Canada’s eTA. The main aim here isn’t to make it tougher for Americans to travel. Instead, it’s all about enhancing security and preventing people from overstaying their visits. Although the official start date isn’t set yet, officials have recently listed 30 European countries, including popular ones like France, Italy, and Spain, where Americans and other visa-exempt travelers will need this travel pass when the program begins. So, if you’re thinking about a European trip, remember to check if you’ll need an ETIAS.
Even though there’s no official start date yet, officials have recently listed 30 European countries where Americans and other travelers who don’t need visas will have to get a travel pass when the program begins. Here’s the full list of those countries:
- Austria
- Belgium
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
So, if you’re planning to visit any of these places, keep an eye out for updates on when you’ll need that travel pass.