ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System)

Starting Jan 1st, 2021, Americans, and residents of 60 other countries, wishing to visit most of the European countries, members of the Schengen area, will need to apply for the ELIAS. It is meant to be part of a new security system to screen visa-free travelers.

This is not a visa and less information will be required for the ETIAS than is required to apply for a visa.

You’ll need a passport, email address, and a debit/credit card to apply. It will cost around $8.00 and is valid for 3 years with unlimited number of entries.

The Schengen area is made up of 26 countries.

Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland are the 26 countries.

Other countries are in the process of joining the Schengen area.

I’ll add more information if or when it becomes available.