New Requirement for European Travel in 2024

Cruising to Europe in 2024 or beyond? The European Union will issue new pre-travel authorizations, which you will want to remember when preparing for your cruise in 2024 or later. 

Starting in 2024, the European Commission will roll out an electronic travel authorization system called ETIAS required by all visitors from countries that are currently not part of the EU. ​​ETIAS, which stands for European Travel Information and Authorization System, will check the security credentials and charge a fee to travelers visiting EU member countries for business, tourism, medical or transit purposes.

ETIAS is not a visa in the sense most travelers think of. It is an online electronic application process where visitors will provide basic personal information and travel plans and answer several security questions. Approvals are all digital and delivered via email, and the approval is good for three years. 

The following is ETIAS explained in a nutshell from the EU’s travel website: 

“ETIAS travel authorization is an entry requirement for visa-exempt nationals traveling to any of these 30 European countries. It is linked to a traveler’s passport. It is valid for up to three years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first. If you get a new passport, you need to get a new ETIAS travel authorization.

With a valid ETIAS travel authorization, you can enter the territory of these European countries as often as you want for short-term stays - normally for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. However, it does not guarantee entry. When you arrive, a border guard will ask to see your passport and other documents and verify that you meet the entry conditions.” 

Which European Countries Will Require the New Travel Authorization? 

The following countries will require an ETIAS travel authorization: Albania, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Demark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland. 

Who is Required to Submit an ETIAS Travel Authorization? 

Travelers will need an ETIAS travel authorization if they meet the following criteria: you are not an EU national; you are a citizen of a country whose nationals are not required to have a visa for a short-term stay in the European countries requiring ETIAS; you do not have a residence permit/card/document issued by any of the European countries requiring ETIAS. 

U.S. citizens traveling to any of the above-listed EU countries must submit the ETIAS travel authorization for travel starting in January 2024.

In addition to U.S. citizens, this will impact all travelers from the following countries: Albania, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Columbia, Costa Rica, Dominica, El Salvador, Georgia, Grenada, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong, Israel, Japan, Kiribati, Macao, Malaysia, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Moldova, Montenegro, New Zeland, Nicaragua, North Macedonia, Palau, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Sait Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Serbia, Seychelles, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Korea, Taiwan, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Uruguay, and Venezuela. 

How Do I Apply?

Applications for the ETIAS travel authorization will be made via the EU’s travel website here. Important Note - ETIAS is currently not in operation, and applications are not currently being collected. 

When the system is running, applications will ask for the following information: 

• Personal information including your name(s), surname, date and place of birth, nationality, home address, parent's first names, email address, and phone number;
• Travel document details;
• Details about your level of education and current occupation;
• Details about your intended travel and stay in any of the countries requiring ETIAS;
• Details about any criminal convictions, any past travels to war or conflict zones, and whether you have recently been subject of a decision requiring you to leave the territory of any country.

All applicants will be required to agree to entry conditions to the territories of the European countries requiring ETIAS, and an understanding that they may be requested to provide the relevant supporting documents each time they cross the external border.

If someone is submitting the application on your behalf, that person will have to provide their surname, first name(s), the name and contact details of the organization or firm (if applicable), as well as information on their relationship to you and a confirmation that this person and you have signed the declaration of representation. Applications for travelers under 18 must be submitted by a parent/legal guardian. 

A fee of 7 Euros will be required for each application. Applicants under 18 or above 70 years of age will be exempt from payment. Also exempt are family members of EU citizens/non-EU nationals who have the right to move freely throughout the European Union.

The European Commission recommends travelers apply for their ETIAS travel authorization in advance. Most applications will be processed within minutes and at the latest within 96 hours. However, some applicants may be asked to provide additional information which may take up to additional 30 days.

When an individual applies for ETIAS, they are required to indicate the first country they intend to stay in. However, once the traveler has been approved for authorization they can change their plans. 

I Am Going On A Cruise to an EU Country, Do I Need an ETIAS Travel Authorization? 

If you are traveling on a cruise in 2024 or beyond, which calls one (or more) EU member countries, you will likely be required to have an ETIAS travel authorization. The cruise lines have yet to announce the new requirement or details of any processes they will implement to help cruisers ensure they have all the documentation needed for their cruise. 

If you have specific questions about the ETIAS travel authorization and your cruise, we recommend contacting your cruise line directly or your travel advisor. 

Additionally, suppose you are already booked for a cruise in  2024 or later and want to complete your authorization as mentioned above. Keep in mind that ETIAS is currently not in operation, and no applications are being collected. Details will be shared on this page on updates to this status. 

You can read more details about the application process and requirements for ETIAS here. 

This is a breaking travel news update. We will continue to provide news as it becomes available. 

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