Vernazza, a village in Cinque Terre, Italy.
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Americans will soon must apply for a travel authorization to go to Europe, and failing to get one may break your next trip.
The requirement, slated to start out in 2024, currently applies to 30 European nations, including popular destinations similar to France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Portugal and Spain.
Travelers must apply for the travel authorization via the European Travel Information and Authorisation System, or ETIAS, prior to their trip.
The web application carries a nonrefundable fee of seven euros an individual, or $7.40 at prevailing exchange rates as of noon ET on Thursday. People under 18 years old or over 70 years old are exempt from payment.
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Europe is the highest destination region for international travelers from the U.S., according to travel app Hopper. But Americans won’t be allowed to go to without the authorization.
“In the event you forget to do it, you will not board the plane,” said Sofia Markovich, a travel advisor and founding father of Sofia’s Travel.
Why Europe is requiring a travel authorization
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The authorization is not a visa and doesn’t guarantee entry. Travelers with a legitimate visa don’t need the authorization.
In 2016, the European Commission proposed to determine the ETIAS to strengthen security checks on Americans and nationals from roughly 60 other nations who’re capable of visit Europe’s Schengen area with out a visa. Â
The brand new European system is analogous to one the U.S. put in place in 2008.
“After 9/11, things modified on the earth,” Markovich said. “It’s really about keeping things secure and knowing who is available in and who goes out.”
When travelers should apply
A pair walking across the Sagrada Familia church in Barcelona, Spain.
Jordi Salas | Moment | Getty Images
The excellent news: Travelers haven’t got to do anything yet.
The European Union expects the ETIAS to be operational in 2024 but hasn’t set a firm rollout date. This system is not yet accepting applications.
“There may be nothing anyone can do or must do now,” Sally French, a travel expert at NerdWallet, said. “But it surely’s something they should keep tabs on.”
The requirement has already been delayed just a few times and could possibly be again, French said. It was initially meant to take effect in 2021 after which in 2023.
Most applications can be processed in minutes and inside 96 hours at the most recent, based on the EU. Nevertheless, it might take 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.
“As soon as you make the booking, make certain you file on your ETIAS,” Markovich said.
The EU even strongly advises obtaining the travel authorization before buying tickets and booking hotels.
“Seven euros is small potatoes within the scheme or your European trip,” French said of the applying fee. “You don’t need to have paid for the flights, hotels and tours, and realize you may’t take the trip for this reason small step.”
The ETIAS authorization is valid for 3 years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. Travelers with a legitimate ETIAS needn’t apply for a latest one every time they visit Europe.
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