Thirty European nations have delayed implementing the ETIAS travel authorization scheme for U.S. and other foreign visitors until 2025. Pictured, Krakow, Poland.
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A latest requirement for American travelers certain for Europe slated to take effect next yr was delayed — again — to 2025.
The requirement — a web based travel authorization via the European Travel Information and Authorisation System, or ETIAS — applies to visitors to 30 European nations, including popular destinations reminiscent of France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Portugal and Spain.
Americans won’t be allowed to go to without the authorization.
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Until late last week, the European Union had telegraphed that the ETIAS program would begin in 2024. That has now been pushed to sometime the next yr.
The system “will likely be able to enter into operation in Spring 2025,” in response to an announcement following an Oct. 19-20 meeting of the Council of the European Union.
The European Union website for ETIAS has similarly updated language, citing “mid-2025” as the brand new official start date. For the reason that program is not yet operational, no applications are currently being collected, the EU website said.
A spokesperson for the European Commission didn’t reply to a request for comment on the delay by press time.
The European Commission, the manager body of the EU, in 2016 proposed to ascertain the ETIAS to strengthen security checks on people from greater than 60 nations (including the U.S.) who can visit Europe’s Schengen Area with no visa. The brand new European system is comparable to one the U.S. put in place in 2008.
The travel authorization requirement — which carries a nonrefundable fee of seven euros an individual, or about $7.40 at current exchange rates — has already been delayed repeatedly. It was initially meant to take effect in 2021, then 2023 and 2024 — and now 2025.
Processing could take as much as a month for some
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People under age 18 or over 70 are exempt from the applying fee.
Most applications will likely be processed in minutes and inside 4 days at the most recent, according to the EU. Nonetheless, it could possibly take longer — as much as a further 30 days for travelers asked to offer extra information or documentation or do an interview with national authorities, the EU said.
“We strongly advise you to acquire the ETIAS travel authorization before you purchase your tickets and book your hotels,” the EU website said.
The ETIAS authorization is valid for 3 years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. Travelers with a legitimate ETIAS need not apply for a latest one every time they visit Europe.
