From 2024, Americans will have to pay to enter Europe: what other countries take money from US citizens for visiting

Europe's plan to launch an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETIAS), which would require Americans to pay a fee every three years in order to travel, has been pushed back to 2024. Brussels continues to address the operational challenges and implementation challenges of the system. The original plan was for ETIAS to come into force this year. The edition told in more detail Travel off Path.

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Currently, Americans are not required to apply for a permit to enter Europe. The authorities have made border crossing incredibly convenient for US citizens, allowing them to freely cross the border through several e-Gate entry points with no other requirements other than holding a valid biometric passport.

However, once the ETIAS goes into effect, they will need to do more than just provide a passport.

What is a travel authorization system

Europe is preparing for a major overhaul of its existing border rules, and the Americans will be among those affected. Soon enough, tourists who are currently exempt from applying for a short stay visa heading to Europe will be required to obtain a travel authorization or electronic travel authorization (ETA) in advance - but what exactly does that mean?

ETAs have become widely popular since the United States introduced a similar ESTA in 2008 as part of a package of measures to improve national security. Other countries such as Australia and New Zealand have also implemented their own, with Australia pioneering the launch of e-travel management as far back as 1996.

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Although it is not a visa and is usually issued online within minutes, the ETA will be a stumbling block for travelers increasingly wary of border formalities, especially in a post-pandemic context. After all, if they do not have a valid permit for a country requiring an ETA, they may be denied boarding or even entry into that territory.

Interestingly, Europe, and more specifically the European Union (EU), has never introduced ETA, although there has been talk in the media for years that it will be enforced. Confirming the rumors, the European Commission finally set a date for the introduction of the permit in 2020, and then, of course, the pandemic broke out. Since then, there have been several delays.

When will Europe launch its ETIAS

The most recent date, announced in August 2022, was set to be between May and November 2023, but the launch will no longer take place as planned. But now, any mention of a launch in November 2023 has disappeared from the official website.

It's now just 2024, although more details, such as the exact month or the reason for the latest delay, are not given. This may be due to the ongoing problems caused by a complex transnational border strategy involving 26 countries.

Based on the information provided, ETIAS will apply to visa-free travelers wishing to enter the Schengen area, the Customs Union and the borderless zone in Europe, which includes not only most EU member states, but also Norway, Iceland, Switzerland and Liechtenstein. In addition to improving security, the main goal is to monitor every entry and exit of tourists from the Schengen area.

Americans can visit Europe without problems, but they must abide by one simple rule: never stay longer than 90 days out of any 180 day period. This means that when using all three months inside the Schengen Area, including any time spent in any of the Member States, they must immediately leave the territory of all Member States and wait another three months to re-enter.

Enforcement of this rule has led to some confusion over the years, especially when newcomers are unsure whether their entry date is considered Day 1 or their exit date is considered to be over the 90-day limit, and they end up overstaying in the country. Fortunately, the Commission has developed calculator, which helps Americans verify the legality of their stay.

How expensive is the fee

ETIAS applicants must pay the €7 ($7,5) fee through the official ETIAS website or app. The EU has reminded tourists that the system is not yet operational and that any third parties offering entry permits are scammers.

At the moment, Americans are not subject to EES or ETIAS rules and are allowed to enter Europe without any requirements.

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In addition to allowing entry, Europe is introducing a new entry-exit system (or EES) that is already being tested at a number of external borders ahead of wider rollout. This means that from late 2023/early 2024, all foreigners entering the block will be required to register their fingerprints for stricter border controls, in addition to presenting ETIAS at the check-in desk.

Where else should Americans pay

The American passport is one of the most powerful in the world, but this does not mean that you have the right to travel abroad with only a valid passport. Here is a list of countries that you will have to pay to visit in 2023 (this can be a visa on arrival, an e-visa or an entry permit):

• Burkina Faso
• Burundi
• Cape Verde
• Comoros
• Egypt
• Ethiopia
• Gabon
• Guinea-Bissau
• Madagascar
• Malawi
• Mauritania
• Rwanda
• Sierra Leone
• Somalia
• Saint Helena
• Tanzania
• Gambia
• Togo
• Uganda
• Zambia
• Zimbabwe
• Bangladesh
• Cambodia
• Laos
• Nepal
• South Korea
• Sri Lanka
• Timor-Leste
• Turkey
• Bahrain
• Jordan
• Kuwait
• Saudi Arabia
• Australia
• New Zealand
• Papua - New Guinea

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