June 1, 2020
Due to travel restrictions, plans are only available with travel dates on or after
Due to travel restrictions, plans are only available with effective start dates on or after
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Americans will soon be charged to enter European borders. Under the planned European Travel and Information Authorization system, the United States and other visa-exempt nations will be required to register online and pay a small fee before visiting countries in the Schengen zone, which includes the European Union and four non-EU counties: Iceland, Lichtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.
Similar to the Electronic System for Travel Authorization for visitors to the United States, which is for citizens and eligible nationals of a Visa Waiver Program country, the purpose of the ETIAS is to improve security and border protection.
Fortunately, ETIAS isn’t too expensive or difficult to obtain. The application can be done online and takes about 20 minutes to complete. It costs €20, or a little over $22 USD. You don’t have to pay a fee if you’re under 18 or over 70, or if you are a qualifying family member of an EU national.
In most cases, approval will be given within minutes and emailed to you. In some instances, approval could take up a month. Denials are eligible for appeal, according to a memo issued by the EU.1 You’ll need to be sure your passport is still valid for at least three months from the date of your planned arrival in Europe before applying for ETIAS.
Currently, Americans and other third-party nationals can’t stay in the EU for more than 90 days within every 180-day period, and that rule will still apply under ETIAS. However, the authorization is valid for an unlimited number of entries over three years.
The ETIAS application asks for:
Keep in mind that ETIAS will not permit you to be employed or study in the Schengen Zone, which requires work and travel visas, respectively, from member states. A visa is also required if you plan to stay in Europe for longer periods than permitted by ETIAS. To get a visa, you should apply in person at the embassy or consulate of the European country where you plan to spend most of your time.2
The short answer: No, the EU does not typically require U.S. tourists to have travel insurance.
Travel insurance is required for visitors who require a visa to enter the Schengen area—but Americans staying for less than 90 days are visa-exempt. For a longer stay that requires a visa, check with the embassy to see if you need travel insurance.
Even if it’s not required, it’s a good idea to purchase travel insurance for trips to Europe. Because EU nations often have good tourist infrastructure and access to world-class medical facilities, travelers sometimes assume they’ll be fine without insurance. But there’s no such thing as risk-free travel.
It’s important to know that many domestic health insurance policies will not cover you abroad. Allianz Travel Insurance plans can provide medically necessary transportation to the nearest healthcare facility and emergency medical benefits for losses due to covered emergencies. We can also help with travel snags that aren’t health-related. Trip cancellation benefits can reimburse your prepaid, non-refundable expenses if your trip is canceled or interrupted due to a covered reason.
Our Allyz® mobile app allows you to schedule urgent-care visits abroad (not available in all countries) and find nearby pre-screened medical facilities. Don’t know 9-1-1 in Lisbon? No worries: International emergency numbers are easily accessed in the app. The Allyz app also provides translations in 18 languages for common prescriptions and first aid items, as well as 24/7 access to on-call travel experts who can provide assistance.
Get a quote to find out how Allianz Travel Insurance can protect your European getaway.
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Terms, conditions, and exclusions apply. Please see your plan for full details. Benefits/Coverage may vary by state, and sublimits may apply.
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