ETIAS is not available to the public yet, but when the system goes live in 2025, citizens of the United States will be required to submit an ETIAS application before entering Germany or any other country within the Schengen Area.
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Welcome to Europe
The European Travel Information and Authorization System, or ETIAS for short, is a new visa waiver system set to debut in 2025. First planned and announced by the European Union in 2016, this new system will revolutionize American travel to Germany and other Schengen countries. When the system becomes available in 2025, ETIAS applications will become mandatory for all U.S. citizens who want to enter or travel through any of the 26 Schengen nations, including Germany. There will be a 6-month adjustment period, but you should not use this as an excuse to put off submitting an application once you are able to do so.
ETIAS will not be required for entry into European countries outside of the Schengen Area, like Ireland or the United Kingdom. However, if you are passing through the Schengen Area at any point, you will need ETIAS, so pay close attention to any details of your trip that may require you to have ETIAS approval.
ETIAS is designed to be an easy online process, which is why it should take no longer than 10 minutes to complete your application and why it only requires a valid biometric passport. You may be wondering why the European Union has decided to replace its current visa-free policy. ETIAS has been created with the ultimate goal of ensuring the safety and security of both residents and travelers in the Schengen Area. It aims to achieve this by targeting the following issues:
It will also streamline the overall travel process, as pre-screening will reduce the wait time at borders, making the new system ideal for both travelers and border officials. It will make visits to multiple Schengen countries simpler as well by creating a process and set of standards that are uniform across the 26 Schengen nations. Because ETIAS is valid for up to 3 years from its date of issue and can be used for multiple trips to the Schengen Area, travelers will be able to enjoy smooth travel to a variety of locations without having to worry about seeking approval each time.
Please note that ETIAS approval does not automatically guarantee you entry into Germany or anywhere else in the Schengen Area. If someone raises concerns at the border, officials have the right to question that traveler and may deny them entry into the country. Furthermore, while ETIAS is valid for three years, if an applicant begins to pose a threat to the Schengen Area after receiving approval, their ETIAS may be cancelled.
On this website, you will find any and all necessary information, news, and updates related to the new ETIAS requirements for U.S. citizens – from required documents, to reasons an application may be denied, and everything in between. Of course, policies and procedures are subject to change, but rest assured that we prioritize the travelers who trust us for information and work diligently to ensure that our website is always up to date. If you see anything on our site that appears to be outdated and/or inaccurate, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us with your concerns. You can do so by clicking “Contact” at the bottom of this page and then following the steps outlined there to get in touch with us.
To keep up with all ETIAS new and updates, you can continue coming back to our page to see what we add, or you can sign up for notification to automatically be alerted of any new changes that you should know about.
The new ETIAS visa waiver program will enable smooth travel processes and efficient pre-screening for U.S. citizens, as well as citizens from 59 other countries that are currently permitted visa-free travel to the Schengen Area.
After completing an ETIAS form and receiving travel approval, U.S. citizens will be permitted to use the same ETIAS for up to 3 years from its date of issue, regardless of the number of trips they take or countries they visit. You won’t need to reapply until after that 3-year period, unless your passport expires. Because ETIAS can only ever be linked to one travel document, you will need to reapply for approval if you get a new passport. Your ETIAS cannot be linked to your new passport.
The online form should take less than 10 minutes to complete, and in most cases, applicants will receive an email notification of their ETIAS approval or denial within 24 hours. After reviewing your application, if anything seems suspicious, officials may request additional information and/or supporting documents. On rare occasions, they may even request a face-to-face interview. For most travelers though, the ETIAS process will go smoothly and require minimal work. As long as you have a stable internet connection, a valid biometric passport, and a valid debit or credit card to pay the ETIAS fee, you should be able to quickly and easily complete the form.
Here is an overview of the information you will be asked to provide on the ETIAS form:
There are several reasons why officials may decide to reject an ETIAS application or cancel a previously approved ETIAS, most of which are related to submission errors and/or concerns surrounding the applicant’s legal history.
These are some situations that may result in ETIAS denial:
