Want to visit Europe in 2025? You’ll need to apply for new travel authorization

Right now, United States citizens visiting the United Kingdom and Europe don’t need a visa waiver or travel authorization to enter these countries.

That’s about to change starting in January 2025, when the U.K. will require an electronic travel authorization (ETA) for visitors from countries including the U.S., Canada, Australia and New Zealand. The European Union is right behind them, with plans to introduce its own visa waiver document called an ETIAS for visitors, including U.S. citizens, sometime in mid-2025. (The two processes are different, as the U.K. officially left the European Union in 2020.)

The good news is that the online process for obtaining permission to travel to these areas should be fairly simple — and speedy.

So, if you’re hoping to visit Europe next year, keep reading for everything you need to know about obtaining the right travel authorization before your visit.

New travel rules for U.S. citizens visiting the UK in 2025

What will change in 2025 about travel to the U.K.?

If you’re a U.S. citizen visiting the U.K., you’ll need to apply online for an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) for any travel to (and through) that country starting Jan. 8, 2025 — i.e., very soon.

This new requirement includes any children who are traveling and also applies to travelers who are just transiting through the U.K.

After applying, you’ll receive an email confirmation. This authorization will be digitally linked to the passport you applied with and will last for two years — during which time “you can travel to the U.K. as many times as you want,” according to the U.K. government website.

Dual citizens who have British or Irish citizenship do not need to apply for an ETA and can use their British or Irish passport as proof of exemption.

Do I need an ETA if I’m traveling to the U.K. before Jan. 8?

No. It’s an entry document, and the U.K. government says that United States citizens are among the nationalities who don’t need an ETA to travel to the U.K. on or before Jan. 7. So, if you already have a New Year’s trip planned, don’t panic.

How do I apply for an ETA?

Applications for an ETA to travel on or after Jan. 8 are now open. The U.K. Home Office recommends that you apply for your ETA before booking your travel to the U.K.

U.S. citizens can apply for an ETA via:

The U.K. government strongly recommends applying via the app and has a detailed guide to applying for an ETA this way. However, if you’re applying for someone else who is not with you in person during the application — for example, one of your travel party — they advise applying online rather than using the app.

To apply, you’ll need to upload a photo of your passport and, for travelers age 10 and over, your face. You’ll then be asked several questions and pay £10 (around $12.50) for the application. Beware of any third-party website seeking to charge you more for processing your ETA application.

How long will getting an ETA take?

The U.K. government says that the ETA app “enables most applicants to receive a decision in hours” and that applicants will “usually get a decision within 3 working days, but you may get a quicker decision.”

However, the Home Office warns that it may “occasionally” take longer than three working days. So make sure you apply for your ETA well ahead of your departure date.

What if my ETA application is unsuccessful?

The U.K. Home Office says that if your ETA application is “rejected,” you’ll be informed of the reason and can apply again.

But if your ETA application is “refused,” you won’t be able to apply again, and you can’t appeal the decision. Instead, you’ll have to apply for a visa to visit the U.K.

New travel rules for U.S. citizens visiting Europe in 2025

What do I need to know about visiting Europe as a U.S. citizen in 2025?

Starting sometime in mid-2025, U.S. citizens visiting 30 European countries will need to apply online for travel authorization through the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS). This new requirement will include any children who are traveling and will also apply to travelers who are transiting through these countries.

There is no firm date for ETIAS travel authorizations coming into effect, and applications aren’t open.

After applying online, you’ll receive an email confirming your ETIAS travel authorization has been successful. This authorization will then be digitally linked to the passport you applied with and will last for three years or until your passport expires — whichever comes first.

Which European countries will U.S. citizens need ETIAS travel authorization to visit in 2025?

The full list of countries that U.S. citizens will soon need ETIAS travel authorization to visit: France, Italy, Spain, Germany, Portugal, Iceland, Croatia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden and Switzerland.

U.S. citizens who also have European Union (EU) nationality do not need to apply for ETIAS travel authorization. See who else is exempt from ETIAS travel authorization.

How will I apply for ETIAS travel authorization when it comes into effect?

When applications open, you’ll apply online on the EU’s website. Applications will cost €7 (around $7–8), but those costs are waived for minors. Read more about the types of information you’ll be asked to provide in your application.

One important thing if you’re planning to visit Europe in 2025: To receive ETIAS travel authorization, your U.S. passport will need to be valid for more than three months after you’d be leaving Europe. Also, your passport can’t be older than 10 years. So, if you were looking for a reason to renew your passport, 2025 might be a good time.

When applications open, beware of any third-party website seeking to charge you more for processing your ETIAS travel authorization application.

How long will getting ETIAS travel authorization take?

The EU says that most ETIAS travel authorization applications “will be processed within minutes and at the latest within 96 hours” — but warns that “some applicants may be asked to provide additional information or documentation or to participate in an interview with national authorities, which may take up to additional 30 days.”

For this reason, “we strongly advise you to obtain the ETIAS travel authorization before you buy your tickets and book your hotels,” officials say. So, if you’re hoping to visit Europe in 2025, it’s worth keeping an eye on the EU’s official ETIAS website for updates.

What if my ETIAS travel authorization application is unsuccessful?

The EU lists several reasons your ETIAS travel authorization could be denied, including if you’re “considered to pose a security, illegal immigration or high epidemic risk.”

If you’re denied, you’ll be told the reason by email, which will also provide information about your options to appeal the decision.