Here’s the scoop on ETIAS for U.S. citizens:
? When Does ETIAS Take Effect?
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The ETIAS requirement is now expected to start in the last quarter of 2026, following the full rollout of the Entry/Exit System (EES), which is scheduled between October 2025 and March 2026 axios.com+15en.wikipedia.org+15cibtvisas.com+15.
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A transition and grace period of several months will follow, giving travelers time to adjust .
What Is ETIAS?
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ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) is not a visa, but an electronic pre-screening mandatory for citizens of visa-exempt countries—including the U.S.—who plan to visit Europe short-term kiplinger.com+7time.com+7etiasauthorisation.com+7.
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It’s similar to the U.S. ESTA and costs €7 (free for under 18 or over 70) reddit.com+15time.com+15kiplinger.com+15.
Eligibility & Validity
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Required for short stays (up to 90 days within a 180-day period) for tourism, business, transit, or medical visits in Schengen countries plus Bulgaria, Romania, and Cyprus brides.com+12kayak.com+12etias.com+12.
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Valid for three years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first etiaseu.eu+13en.wikipedia.org+13civitatis.com+13.
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Multiple entries are allowed during its validity, as long as each stay doesn’t exceed 90 days in any 180-day span en.wikipedia.org+15time.com+15etias.com+15.
How to Apply
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Have your valid U.S. passport (must be valid for 3 months after your return date) kayak.com+3etiaseu.com+3etiasauthorisation.com+3.
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Fill out a short online form (name, passport, trip details, background/security questions) and pay the €7 fee etiaseu.com+12time.com+12kayak.com+12.
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Most applications are approved within minutes, though some may take up to 30 days if additional review or interviews are needed brides.com+4time.com+4kayak.com+4.
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The authorization is linked electronically to your passport—no need to carry a printout, but having one is a good backup en.wikipedia.org+7etiaseu.com+7internationalinsurance.com+7.
