Home Consumer Headed To Europe? You’ll Need To Go Through EU’s New Entry And...

Headed To Europe? You’ll Need To Go Through EU’s New Entry And Exit System

Oct 2, 2025

https://www.freepik.com/premium-photo/rear-view-woman-standing-home_106412331.htm#fromView=search&page=1&position=38&uuid=c2a03554-2909-42c3-9e2c-0d26d40d4fb2&query=euro+airport

As of October 12, 2025, U.S. citizens will need to go through the EU’s new Entry and Exit System when traveling to 29 European countries. This applies to any visits lasting up to 90 days within a 180-day period.

Your fingerprints, facial image, passport details, and entry and exit dates will be collected and stored digitally.
The new system will be introduced gradually over 6 months.

EES-participating countries

Review the European Union’s website(opens in a new tab) for more information.

Electronic Travel Authorization for the United Kingdom (UK)

U.S. citizens visiting the United Kingdom for short trips, tourism, or business need an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA).(opens in a new tab) This applies if you don’t have a UK visa or legal residency in the UK or the Republic of Ireland. Your ETA acts as a pre-clearance for travel.

The rule applies to all parts of the UK, including Northern Ireland.

You don’t need an ETA to transit through the UK if you won’t go through border control. If you are unsure, check with your airline.

Europe’s Schengen Area 

The Schengen Borders Agreement(opens in a new tab) sets the same immigration rules for 27 European countries. This lets you travel freely between them, with no border checks.

Schengen entry and exit requirements 

Passport Validity: Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months when you enter any EU country or the Schengen Area. If your passport is valid for less than 6 months, an immigration officer may deny you entry. They could send you back to the United States right away.
Tourism or business visits: With a valid U.S. passport, you can stay up to 90 days during any 180-day period. You must wait an extra 90 days before applying to re-enter the Schengen area.
Stays longer than 3 months: Apply for a visa through the embassy of the country where you’ll spend most of your time.
Students, interns and workers: Check with the embassy of the country before you travel. Find out if you need a visa for your activity. If you do need a visa, wait until you receive it before traveling to any destination in the Schengen area.
Minors: Children traveling alone, with 1 parent, or with non-guardian adults, may need an extra official document. This depends on the destination. You can check with the nearest foreign embassy or consulate for your destination

Travelers do not need an Electronic Travel Authorization for the Schengen Area or EU

U.S. citizen travelers do not need to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization or pay a fee before entering the Schengen Area or EU. This differs from the United Kingdom’s rules.

The EU is developing a travel information and authorization system called ETIAS, which is planned to launch in late 2026. More information on the ETIAS program is available on the official website(opens in a new tab).

We can	We cannot
Give you the contact information of foreign embassies(opens in a new tab) of the countries you wish to visit.	Influence a foreign government’s decision about allowing you to enter.
Provide information about hiring an English-speaking foreign attorney(opens in a new tab) abroad.	Intervene in another country’s criminal or administrative procedures.

We can

We cannot

Give you the contact information of foreign embassies(opens in a new tab) of the countries you wish to visit.

Influence a foreign government’s decision about allowing you to enter.

Provide information about hiring an English-speaking foreign attorney(opens in a new tab) abroad.

Intervene in another country’s criminal or administrative procedures.

Schengen Borders Agreement member countries 

Select the country for more information:

Disclaimer

The information contained in South Florida Reporter is for general information purposes only.
The South Florida Reporter assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions in the contents of the Service.
In no event shall the South Florida Reporter be liable for any special, direct, indirect, consequential, or incidental damages or any damages whatsoever, whether in an action of contract, negligence or other tort, arising out of or in connection with the use of the Service or the contents of the Service. The Company reserves the right to make additions, deletions, or modifications to the contents of the Service at any time without prior notice.
The Company does not warrant that the Service is free of viruses or other harmful components