What to know about traveling to Europe in 2026

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FILE - A man looks at the departures board at Newark Liberty International Airport in Newark, New Jersey, on Nov. 7, 2025. (Photo by TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP via Getty Images)

If you’re thinking about traveling to Europe next year, here are some changes for travelers from the United States of which you’ll want to be aware.

ETIAS will be required for all visa-exempt countries

Applying to the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS), will be a new requirement for travelers coming from visa-exempt countries.

Dig deeper:

ETIAS is a pre-travel authorization that collects personal information, passport details and travel history before granting approval, according to the ETIAS website.

It will screen for any security threats using databases such as Interpol and Europol.

ETIAS application fee

Applying for ETIAS will not be free.

A fee of about €20 (about $23) for most adult travelers will be required. Applicants who are under 18 or over 70 will be exempt from paying a fee.

ETIAS application lasts for 3 years

Once an application has been approved, the travel authorization will last for three years or until a traveler's passport has expired. The authorization grants travel access to 30 European countries that require ETIAS.

When will ETIAS requirements start?

Travelers coming from visa-exempt countries will be required to complete the pre-screening beginning some time in late 2026, but no specified date was immediately available.

Why are ETIAS being required?

Big picture view:

The European Union is implementing ETIAS to "strengthen border security, streamline traveler screening, and monitor public health risks," according to the ETIAS website.