Planning an EU Trip? Starting in 2021, You'll Need a Visa
US citizens traveling to 26 countries in Schengen Area will need more than just a passport
By Jenn Gidman
Enjoy visa-free travel to the EU through 2020. (Getty Images/dimarik)
The luxury of hopping on a plane for a European holiday with just a passport in hand will soon be gone for US citizens.
A European Union announcement on Friday notes that, starting in 2021, Americans will need to also have a visa if they want to travel to the Schengen Area, 26 EU countries that allow people to move freely between nations, per CNN. To receive a European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) visa, US citizens will require a current passport, an email address, and a credit or debit card.
The reasoning behind the new requirement: "Similar to other countries and regions in the world, Europe has recently decided to improve their security level to avoid any further problems with illegal migration and terrorism," per the ETIAS site. A full list of the countries that will soon require the visa, including France, Italy, Germany, Spain, and the Netherlands, can be found here. Americans can still visit the UK and Ireland with just a passport. Previously, US citizens could stay in the EU for up to 90 days without a visa; the ETIAS visa is valid for three years.
To be honest it's not odd by any means. It works a similar when you're from Europe and travel to America. I'm from Europe and we need an ETA to enter Canada. To visit US or notwithstanding for only a flight move in the US I need a visa for which I need to apply face to face and expenses $160. I think it is exceptionally great that Europe will have a superior security simply like different pieces of the world!
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