If you’re a U.S. citizen planning an international trip, you may have read or heard about new travel requirements. Terms such as ETA, EES and ETIAS sound similar and can be confusing.
We’re here to clarify those requirements so you can enjoy your next international trip.
🇬🇧 Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA)
If you’re traveling from Europe, USA, Australia or Canada to the United Kingdom, you’ll need an ETA before arrival. It is a very easy process and we did it before our trip to the U.K. this past July. It allows you to visit for up to 6 months and costs £16.
You can apply online or through the App. You will need your passport and email address. I used the App. Click here to apply for your ETA. When approved, your ETA will be linked to your passport. It is valid for two years, or when your passport expires, whichever happens first.
When we arrived at the Newcastle airport, it was very smooth. I scanned my passport that had my ETA on it and went right through passport control and customs.
🇪🇺 European Union Entry and Exit System (EES)
As of October 12, 2025, U.S. citizens will need to go through the EU’s new EES when traveling to 29 European countries. This applies to any visits lasting up to 90 days within a 180-day period.
It’s an automated system for registering non-EU nationals traveling for a short stay, each time they cross the borders of an applicable European country. The applicable European countries are: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.
The purposes of the EES is to make border checks more modern and efficient and border travel easier and faster. It’s also to prevent irregular migration and increase the security in the Schengen area. This new system will be gradually introduced over the next six months. Full implementation is expected by 10 April 2026.
The following will be collected and stored digitally:
- Your passport details
- Date and place of each entry and exit
- Fingerprints and facial image (biometric data)
- Whether you were refused entry before
If you refuse to provide your biometric data, you will denied entry into the countries using the EES.
Normally this data will be stored in the system for three years. If no exit has been recorded, it will be stored for five years. Supposedly there are strong safeguards in place for the effective protection of your personal data rights. However, as with any IT system, it can be hacked or suffer a data breach.
There is a Travel-to-Europe mobile app on the App Store or Google Play. There you can pre-register your passport data and facial image within 72 hours before reaching a EES border point. The app also allows you to fill in the entry conditions questionnaire in advance. Unfortunately, as of today, 11 October, Sweden is the only country for which you can use this app.
For complete information on the EU EES, click here for the EU EES Homepage.
🇪🇺 European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS)
The ETIAS is an entry requirement for visa-exempt nationals traveling to any of the below 30 European countries. It’s linked to your passport and valid for up to three years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first.
However, the ETIAS will not start operations until the last quarter of 2026. Thus there is nothing to worry about right now. The EU will provide notice of the official start date several months in advance.
These are the participating European countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.
With a valid ETIAS travel authorization, you can enter these European countries as often as you want for short-term stays. Short-term stays are 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. Please note: if you get a new passport, you need to get a new ETIAS travel authorization.
To begin, you can fill in the application form using either the official ETIAS website or the ETIAS mobile application. Applying for the ETIAS travel authorization costs €20.
Processing
Most applications are processed within minutes. If so, you will receive a decision within four days. That period could be extended by up to 14 days if you need to provide additional information or documentation. It could also be extended up to 30 days if you are invited to an interview. This is why you should apply for an ETIAS travel authorization well in advance of your trip. Remember, preparation is key.
Once you’ve applied, you’ll receive an email confirming the submission of your application. This email will include your unique ETIAS application number. Keep that number for future reference. Once your application has been processed, you’ll receive another email informing you about its outcome.
When you get your ETIAS travel authorization, ensure your name, passport number and other information is correct. You will not be allowed to cross the border if there are any mistakes. If you did make a mistake in your application, information about what to do can be found here. If your application is refused, the email will provide the reasons for this decision. That email will include information about how to appeal and the time limit to appeal.
It’s a New Era
Yes, times are changing as we embrace digital technology. Unfortunately this means having your passport booklet showing all your travels may become a thing of the past. Everything will be digital.
We will do our best to keep you informed on any new developments with ETA, EES and ETIAS. Subscribe to our newsletter here for any breaking information and stay up to date.
Buddy and Jordan