Beginning In 2021, Americans Will Need To Apply For A Visa To Travel To Most European Countries
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PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – Americans traveling to most European countries will require an additional step in 2021. U.S. citizens will have to apply for a new travel visa as the European Union is implementing increased security measures.
Beginning on Jan. 21, 2012, all Americans, including minors, will need to register for a European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) visa to travel to a European Schengen-zone country. Non-European Schengen-zone countries include England and Ireland.
Illegal migration and terrorism are behind the new travel visa, according to ETIAS' website.
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The ETIAS visas are valid for three years and multiple entries. To apply for one, an American needs a valid passport, credit or debit card and an email account.
According to an European Commission press release, the visa carries a one-time fee of $8, or seven euros.
Under the current laws, Americans are not required to have a visa to travel freely in Europe for 90 days or less.
Here is the full list of European countries you'll need an ETIAS visa to travel to:
- Austria
- Belgium
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland