New European travel requirements for 2026

You book your flight, pick a hotel on TripAdvisor, and use Rick Steves’ expertise to plan a couple of tours. Or… you can book a FitCation, and two of those three things are taken care of for you! 

Before you start packing your suitcase, ensure that you have all the necessary documentation for your European adventures; otherwise, your plans may end at the airport. 

There are three sets of initials you need to be aware of when you travel to Europe in 2026: EES, ETA, and ETIAS

EES is a biometric Entry and Exit System that has been gradually rolled out since 2025 and is scheduled to be fully operational by April 2026. 

• What you need to do: Non-EU travelers will submit fingerprints and facial scans at their first entry point, which will be linked to passports. After the first entry, this information is expected to significantly expedite the border control process. If you have a biometric passport, you can expedite the process by using the self-service kiosks at border control. For more information, visit the official EES website.

ETA is a visa for the UK that is mandatory if you are going to, or through, the UK. It’s linked to your passport and valid for up to 2 years, or until your passport expires, whichever occurs first.  

• What you need to do: Fill out the online application and pay the £16 fee. The turnaround time for a decision is within 1-3 business days, so it's best to complete this no later than a week prior to departure. Remember that even if you have a stopover in the UK, you still need an ETA.

ETIAS is the European Information and Travel Authorization. It will be mandatory for all US travelers to Europe beginning in the last quarter of 2026. 

• What you need to do: Fill out the online application and pay the 20€ fee. It will be linked to your passport and is good for up to three years or until your passport expires, whichever occurs first. Make sure to check your documents’ expiration dates (if applicable), as any document expiring within 3 months prior to travel will not be accepted in the application.
  
  For more information, visit the official ETIAS website here.
  
  *Please note that this is expected to roll out later this year, so if you’re traveling in the first half of the year, you don’t need it. 

Of course, we will keep you updated on any additional changes or processes as they arise.