Europe: one of the most popular places Americans fly to over the summer to enjoy time away from highways and fast food chains. I’m just kidding (kind of). Every year, your feed on Instagram fills up with people’s summer vacation pictures. The location feature below the username and above the photo that people barely use is now filled with places like the Amalfi Coast, Paris, Berlin, Amsterdam, and Madrid. Listen, I can proudly admit that I have used the location feature to flaunt my vacation spots for multiple summers, as anybody would who spent an absurd amount of money to get there. However, getting to those flashy cities won’t be as easy in the summer of 2025. A newly added system that has been in the works for over six years is finally being introduced, which will be mandatory for people to fill out outside of the European Union if they plan on traveling to Europe.
What is the ETIAS System?
Starting in May 2025, the ETIAS system, or the European Travel Information and Authorization System, will be an entry requirement for “visa-exempt nationals” trying to travel to these thirty European countries. According to the official website, the reason why it was implemented is “for the identification of security, irregular migration or high epidemic risks posed by visa-exempt visitors.” If you think it’s a little unnecessary, this isn’t the first time that nations have introduced this. The United States has a similar system called the ESTA, or the Electronic System for Travel Authorization. It was implemented on Jan. 12, 2009, partly due to the vulnerabilities that 9/11 highlighted regarding the security of travel. Either way, the ETIAS is mandatory unless you have other acceptable documentation that is accepted.
How do I apply?
The form is accessible via the ETIAS mobile application or the official website. When filling out the form, you need to have your travel documents and a credit card. The fee is only seven euros, nothing much compared to the whopping $21 fee that the ESTA has. The specifics for which type of travel documents are satisfactory can be found here. The form is not too long, as the approximate time to fill it out given by the official website is only 20 minutes. Most applicants are processed within minutes, but in some cases, it can take up to 30 days. That’s why you should make sure you have this form done well before your travels.
That’s it!
When you first heard of the ETIAS system it might have scared you. I know it scared me! I thought it would mean that entering Europe would become way harder. But it’s not! So, make sure to fill out the form and enjoy your vacation in Europe! And make sure to add that location to your Instagram post.
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