Thirty counties in Europe will be part of ETIAS, an online system intended to increase security by screening visitors.
Next year, in addition to having a valid passport, tourists visiting most European countries will need to obtain travel authorization.
Those who are currently eligible to visit 30 European countries without a visa waiver must pay a EUR 7 travel authorization fee to apply to the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS). The new program is intended to bolster security.
The list of countries that will require ETIAS authorization encompasses 26 members of the European Union (including the Czech Republic) plus Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein. Out of the EU, only Ireland is not participating.
Who needs to apply
Holders of passports from the U.S., UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand will need to apply before visiting any of the 30 ETIAS European countries for short-term stays (up to 90 days in any 180-day period) for tourism or business. In total, that's some 1.4 billion people in 63 countries.The travel authorization, linked to each user’s passport, is valid for up to three years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first.