If you’re traveling to Germany in 2022, you will only need your biometric passport as usual. However, if you are planning a trip for 2025 or later, you should anticipate some changes to the current travel process. The new European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) will go live in 2025 and become mandatory for all U.S. travelers going to Germany or any other country in the Schengen Area. Please note that the new ETIAS application will not replace the traditional visa process. It is a far simpler process intended only for short-term, tourist trips. If you plan to work, study, or stay long-term (more than 90 days in a 180-day period) in Germany, then you will still need to apply for the appropriate visa.
Yes, United States citizens will be required to apply for ETIAS approval once it becomes mandatory in 2025. The new ETIAS visa waiver will replace the current system for visitors going to Schengen countries from visa-exempt countries and will affect all travel from 2025 onward. While there will be a grace period of 6 months (or more) to help both travelers and border officials acclimate to the new process, it is recommended that you go ahead and fill out the application form once ETIAS goes live. Ideally, you should fill out your ETIAS application no later than 96 hours (8 days) before your intended date of departure. Because it will be good for up to 3 years from its date of issue, you will not have to worry about it expiring before your trip. It is important to remember that your ETIAS authorization does not automatically guarantee you entry into Germany or any other Schengen country. German border officials will always have the final say. Along with your ETIAS approval, they may ask you to provide proof of tickets for your return flight, hotel reservations, sufficient funds, and medical insurance coverage. This will help ensure that all travelers are being honest about their intentions and will minimize the risk of terrorism and illegal immigration.
No, there are not currently any plans to remove the U.S. from the European Union’s list of visa-exempt countries. However, once ETIAS becomes mandatory in 2025, U.S. citizens will need to complete the online ETIAS application and get pre-approved before traveling to Germany or any other Schengen country. While you will not need to go through the traditional visa application process, U.S. citizens will be required to apply for ETIAS approval in order to travel to Germany and any other European country in the Schengen Area. As a visa-exempt country, the United States will be one of 60 countries impacted by new ETIAS policies and their changes in policies for travel to the Schengen Area.
The ETIAS visa waiver will go live in 2025. While it will also become mandatory in 2025, there will be a 6-month grace period to minimize disruptions as both travelers and border officials adjust to the new process. Applying will be relatively easy though, as travelers will only need access to the internet, a valid email address, a valid biometric passport (that will expire no sooner than three months from their intended date of arrival), and sufficient funds to pay the ETIAS application fee. Once approved, your ETIAS will be valid up until 3 years from its date of issue. This means you should not delay applying, as the process will be very simple, and your ETIAS will not expire before your trip. Completing an ETIAS application will be necessary for U.S. citizens traveling to the Schengen Area, so it is best to ahead and fill one out, even if you are traveling to Germany during the grace period. Completing your application should only take about 10 minutes, and your ETIAS authorization is valid for multiple trips within three years of its date of issue, meaning you do not need to worry about it expiring before your trip. It is in your best interest to apply for ETIAS no later than 8 days before your intended departure.
No, citizens of ETIAS countries (please check our homepage for a complete list) are not required to apply for ETIAS, as they are entering their own country, or a country that is part of the Schengen Area. For example, if you are a German citizen traveling to Italy (from one ETIAS country to another), you are not required to apply for ETIAS to do so. However, if you have an American, Canadian, or British citizen in your party, or a citizen of any other country currently permitted visa-free travel, that person will need to apply for ETIAS before departing on your trip.
This will depend on your nationality. If you are a dual citizen of both an ETIAS country and a non-ETIAS country – for example, if you are a dual citizen of the United States and Italy – then you do not need to apply for ETIAS. You should enter Europe with the passport of the ETIAS country, which in this example would be an Italian passport. If you are a dual citizen of two non-ETIAS countries and at least one of them is eligible for ETIAS (see the complete list of ETIAS-eligible countries on our homepage), then you should apply for ETIAS under the passport of the eligible country. For example, if you are a dual citizen of the United States and Thailand, it is recommended that you complete an ETIAS application with your American passport, as entering Europe with a Thai passport would require you to go through the more complicated process of attaining a Schengen visa. If you have any further questions, our customer service department will be happy to help answer them.
ETIAS will also be mandatory children of any age. All travelers from ETIAS eligible countries (check our homepage for the complete list of countries), including minors, must have a valid ETIAS in order enter the Schengen Area from 2025 onward. However, only legal adults should fill out any ETIAS forms, so a minor’s form should be filled out by their parent or legal guardian.
No, ETIAS approval is not a visa or a substitute for the traditional visa process. It is only meant to be used for short-term tourist purposes, and you are only permitted to stay in the Schengen Area for 90 days or fewer (within a 180-day period) while using ETIAS. If you want to work, study, or stay long-term (more than 90 days in a 180-day period) in Germany, you will need to apply for the appropriate visa. If you attempt to work, study, or overstay in Germany without receiving the appropriate visa, your ETIAS can be cancelled, and you will face legal consequences.
Yes, once the ETIAS electronic visa waiver system is implemented in 2025, it will be mandatory that citizens from the United States, as well as those from other ETIAS-eligible countries, use a valid biometric passport when applying for ETIAS. The passport must be valid for at least 2 years and should expire no sooner than three months from your intended date of arrival. It must also have:
If your travel document fails to meet the criteria, border officials may request additional documents before processing and approving your application.
As far as travel forms are concerned, the ETIAS application is relatively straightforward. U.S. citizens will need to submit an online application, which should normally take no more than 10 minutes to complete. The only document necessary during the application process is a valid biometric passport to link your ETIAS to. The application will cover some basic personal information, including:
There will also be a series of security questions, regarding things like:
This will help increase the security and safety of both visitors and residents in the Schengen Area, as potential threats can be detected and stopped before they even depart for their trip. If the information you provide doesn’t make sense or your application raises suspicion, the reviewing border agent may request additional information and documents or, in rare cases, an in-person interview. In most cases though, the application process will be simple and straightforward, and you should receive approval within 24 hours. You will be notified of the status of your application via email.
Please note that ETIAS approval does not guarantee you entry into Germany or any other Schengen country. German border officials will always have the final say if anything seems off or causes suspicion. They may ask for additional information and/or documents, and they have the right to deny you entry into the country.
It is also important to remember that your ETIAS authorization will not replace any required COVID-19 documents. You should stay up to date on Germany’s requirements, as well as those of any other country you intend to visit and/or travel through.
Because ETIAS has not gone live yet, the process for prospective travelers with criminal records is not entirely clear for the time being. For now, here is the information we can provide:
Travelers from all eligible countries should submit an ETIAS application online prior to entering any Schengen country. The process for people with criminal records, even those who have only been charged with minor criminal offenses (such as disorderly conduct, shoplifting, loitering, DUIs, etc.) may be different than the process for applicants without a criminal record. It is not yet clear if the ETIAS online system will be available for travelers with a criminal record or what specific restrictions may be in place for these travelers. For further details, you can contact our customer service department.
Each country also has certain policies regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, so make sure to keep an eye on the current regulations for Germany or any other country you plan to visit. Your ETIAS application will not cover COVID-19 related standards, so it is important that you stay up to date on each country’s policies and any changes to them. Currently, all visitors ages 12 and up are required to provide proof of a full series of approved vaccinations or a negative PCR (taken 72 hours before departure) or antigen test (taken 48 hours before departure). Children under the age of 12 are not currently subject to any COVID-19 travel restrictions. The requirements change frequently, so we recommend that you check the Health Department of every country you plan to visit during your trip to Europe. It is important that you stay up to date on Germany’s policies, as well as those of any other country you plan to visit or go through on your trip.
