And no, we're not referring to Spain's Sustainable Tourist Tax or the entrance fee for tourists entering the city boundaries of Venice. We're referring to the ETIAS, which will debut in 2024.

For short-term visits under 90 days, Americans (and visitors from other nations like Canada and the United Kingdom) are now exempt from needing a special visa or travel pass to enter the Schengen region and other areas of Europe.

The ETIAS is expected to alter that, though.

If you are an American or hold a passport from one of the other 59 nations without a visa and are considering traveling to Europe in the upcoming year, read on for important information. 

The ETIAS: What Is It?
European Travel Information and Authorisation System is referred to as ETIAS. It's a new system that will demand that citizens of nations without visas—like Americans—apply for and pay for a travel pass before entering several European countries.

It's crucial to understand that, despite how much something sounds like a visa, they are not the same thing. It is actually a travel pass, which is a visa waiver. 

It is comparable to Canada's eTA or the ESTA that some international visitors to the US are obliged to acquire.

The purpose? Not to make it more difficult for Americans to go. In the end, it's intended to assist the European Commission in enhancing security and preventing visitors from lingering too long.

When will these new regulations take effect, then? Despite being approved in 2016, the ETIAS's official launch has been repeatedly postponed. 

All government websites currently state that the date is "from 2024," but they haven't given a specific start date. 

We advise following travel news and bookmarking the official ETIAS page of the European Union to regularly check for developments if you plan on visiting Europe in 2024.

Which European countries require a pass for American citizens to enter?
The full list of the 30 European nations that Americans and other visa-exempt nationals will require a travel pass to visit once the program opens was just released, though there is still no official start date. 

The following nations are included in the whole list:

Austria
Belgium
Bulgaria
Croatia
Czech Republic, Cyprus, Denmark, and Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Iceland
Italy
Latvia
Liechtenstein
Belarus Luxembourg
Malta
Netherlands
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
What if you have a longer journey across multiple European nations planned for 2024? Only one ETIAS is required.

Your passport is linked to the ETIAS travel pass, which is valid for three years or until the expiration of that passport, whichever comes first.

Utilizing The ETIAS
Since the ETIAS is not a visa, obtaining one is rather simple. 

It's actually going to be as easy as getting the eVisa that Americans need to enter Turkey or the Electronic Travel Authority that they need to get to travel to Australia.

You must submit an online application to be eligible for an ETIAS. You must input details such your passport number, birthdate, address, email address, and trip itinerary. 

You must also disclose information about any prior criminal convictions, your present employment, and details about the duration and purpose of your stay.

After submitting the €7 application cost (applicants under 18 and over 70 are excused from paying this fee! ), you'll wait for your application to be granted. 

Unless they require additional proof, in which case it could take up to 14 to 30 days, it shouldn't take more than four days (although ETIAS.com claims that 95% of applicants should be granted within minutes).

ETIAS Does Not Ensure Admission
Unfortunately, not all of the 30 European nations on the list above will automatically grant you access just because you have the ETIAS. 

Your passport and any other needed papers will still need to be checked by a border control agent as part of the standard passport control procedure.

This can entail demanding proof of travel insurance, demonstrating that you have enough money to cover your expenses while there, or even requesting hotel reservations. 

Check the entry rules for the nation you're travelling into just to be sure because they ultimately decide whether or not to let you in. 

Finally, be abreast with ETIAS news. Start preparing for your European vacation before it launches by researching underrated European destinations.