U.S. citizens who for years have enjoyed visa-free travel to Europe are in for a rude awakening in 2024 when the European Union rolls out new entry rules that will require Americans to obtain a travel authorization document in order to be allowed into most European countries.
Starting next year, American citizens will have to get an entry permit—similar to a visa—through the European Travel Information and Authorization System, or ETIAS, before being permitted to enter 30 countries in Europe.
The nations that are covered by the rule (pdf) include all 27 European Union member states as well as non-members Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland.
“With a valid ETIAS travel authorisation, 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,” European Union authorities said in a statement.
The rule change impacts some 1.4 billion people from over 60 visa-exempt countries, including Australia, Canada, and the United States.
