Can’t find what you’re looking for?
No problem! Our Customer Service team is happy to help!
Starting in 2025, the current process for travel to Europe will be replaced by the new European Travel Information and Authorization System, or ETIAS for short. This new system will change how U.S. citizens travel to Germany and other Schengen countries.
Get notified when ETIAS is mandatory
Start ETIAS Application online
Receive ETIAS confirmation
Welcome to Europe
ETIAS is a new visa waiver system set to go live in 2025. It was first conceptualized in 2016 by the European Union when they introduced their plans to increase the safety and security of citizens and travelers in the Schengen Area. When it becomes mandatory in 2025, U.S. citizens will be required to complete an ETIAS application when seeking entry into any of the 26 countries in the Schengen Area. The ETIAS online application process is simple, requiring little work and taking no more than 10 minutes to complete.
Wondering why the EU has chosen to replace its current visa-free policy for the United States? It’s simple – ETIAS is going to improve security for both travelers and residents in the Schengen Area. It will address health-related risks, potential crime, and the international threats of terrorism and illegal immigration.
U.S. citizens planning to visit Germany won’t be forced to go through the complicated process of visiting an embassy or consulate as they would to apply for a standard visa. Instead, they will only have to complete an ETIAS application, which is a simple online process that will work far more smoothly than the Schengen visa process.
When starting an application, each traveler will only need to have a valid biometric passport on hand. This passport must be one that will not expire until at least three months from your intended date of arrival. The border official who reviews your application may request additional documents if any of the information submitted raises suspicion, but the majority of applicants will only need their passport for the application process.
Please note that obtaining ETIAS approval will not automatically guarantee you entry into Germany. If something seems off when you reach the border or raises any suspicion, a border official may refuse a traveler entry into the country, regardless of pre-approval through ETIAS. German border officials will always have the final say.
ETIAS isn’t meant to complicate the travel process, which is why the application process will be as simple as possible. Completing an application will take about 10 minutes, and, in most cases, you should be notified within 24 hours of the decision to grant or deny you ETIAS approval. If approved, you will be permitted to travel to any country in the Schengen Area multiple time within 3 years of your ETIAS date of approval, as long as your passport remains valid. ETIAS approval is linked to each person’s travel document or passport and cannot be linked to multiple documents or moved to a new one. If you receive a new passport, then you must submit a new ETIAS application, even if you received approval less than 3 years ago. In cases of ETIAS application rejection, travelers may or may not have the option to appeal the decision, depending on the basis for their rejection.
U.S. citizens who use the ETIAS application form to travel will appreciate how much it simplifies the travel process. The new system is designed to be as efficient and user-friendly as possible. Travelers will be asked to submit some basic personal information, like their legal name and nationality, as well as some details about their travel history, criminal history, and other security-related matters. If everything you submit is normal and doesn’t present any cause for concern, European security officials will swiftly process and approve your application. If something unusual does raise any questions, the security official may request additional information or, in rare cases, an in-person interview.
The number one priority of this new system is to increase security. There are currently 60 countries outside of the European Union who are permitted visa-free travel, including the United States. However, when ETIAS goes live, citizens of these countries will all be required to get ETIAS approval before traveling to any European country in the Schengen Area.
Rest assured that any and all personal information collected and stored in the ETIAS network will be gathered and processed in a way that adheres to strict security measures and aligns with European legal standards for personal data and privacy. While the ultimate goal of ETIAS is to protect countries, the EU will be careful to protect your private information as well.
Over the past few decades, increased threats of terrorism and crime have made Schengen countries realize that they need to change how they approach security to better protect visitors and citizens in the Schengen Area. Germany itself has faced attacks over the past decade and is aware of the dangers presented by troubled and/or radicalized individuals from around the world. ETIAS will minimize such threats by pre-screening travelers before they even depart for their destination. Each ETIAS application will be thoroughly assessed to determine if any applicants pose too high a risk. If border officials determine that this is the case, they will refuse that person admission into the Schengen Area.
Illegal immigration is a growing problem in the Schengen Area and around the world, especially in the past decade. It has been linked to a variety of issues, including:
ETIAS will make it easier for border officials to recognize and track travelers, which will help reduce instances of illegal immigration.
The ETIAS process will become a uniform standard across all 26 Schengen countries. Having such a predictable process will benefit travelers, as it will help streamline the overall travel process. It will also benefit border officials because travelers visiting multiple Schengen countries will already have been pre-screened and approved before reaching any secondary locations. For example, if you are planning to visit Spain after going to Germany, you will already have gone through the security process for entry into Germany according to the same ETIAS process (and therefore according to the same standards) as a tourist traveling exclusively to Spain. To summarize, if you have been approved for ETIAS to enter Germany, you can enter the other ETIAS member countries without having to apply for ETIAS again. The same ETIAS travel authorization can be used to travel to the other ETIAS countries in Europe.
The 60 countries that previously had unrestricted travel authorization with the EU will now be required to submit ETIAS applications. Spain will be one of the countries that can travel with ETIAS authorization. The following countries need ETIAS to travel to Europe:
Albania
Antigua and Barbuda
Argentina
Australia
Bahamas
Barbados
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Brazil
Brunei
Canada
Chile
Colombia
Costa Rica
Dominican Republic
El Salvador
Georgia
Grenada
Guatemala
Honduras
Hong Kong
Israel
Japan
Kiribati
Macao
Northern Macedonia
Malaysia
Marshall Islands
Mauritius
Mexico
Micronesia
Moldova
Montenegro
New Zealand
Nicaragua
Palau
Panama
Paraguay
Peru
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Lucia
Saint Vincent
St. Vincent
Serbia
Seychelles
Singapore
Solomon Islands
South Korea
Taiwan
Timor Leste
Tonga
Trinidad and Tobago
Tuvalu
Uruguay
Ukraine
UAE
Vanuatu
Venezuela
United Kingdom
United StatesETIAS is only necessary for the Schengen Area’s 26 members. Travelers who want to visit countries outside the Schengen area do not need ETIAS travel permission. The following countries may require ETIAS authorization for US residents and other travelers from visa-exempt nations:
Austria
Belgium
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Iceland
Italy
Latvia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
Netherlands
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Slovakia
Slovenia
Sweden
Spain
Switzerland
Bulgaria
Croatia
Cyprus
Romania
Monaco
San Marino
Vatican
Can’t find what you’re looking for?
No problem! Our Customer Service team is happy to help!
Yes, American citizens planning to visit Germany will need to apply for ETIAS approval when it becomes mandatory in 2025. For trips in 2025 or later, the ETIAS process will replace the current visa-free system. While there will be a 6-month grace period to allow border officials and travelers to adjust to the new system, it is in your best interest to go ahead and fill out an application, ideally no later than 8 days before you intend to depart on your trip.
The ETIAS application is a pretty straightforward process and far less complicated than obtaining a Schengen visa. U.S. citizens will only have to submit an application online, a process that should take no more than 10 minutes. Your application will cover some standard personal information and will also include some security questions. You will also have to pay an ETIAS fee to submit your application, and then, within 24 hours, you should receive an email notifying.
If you run into issues during your stay, a United States Consulate can help. There are a few located throughout Germany. Here is a list of cities with a U.S. Consulate:
Currently, all visitors aged 12 and older are required to provide proof of a full series of 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.
These policies are subject to change, so you should stay up to date on any policy changes for entering Germany as well as for any other country you may wish to visit or travel through on your trip.