There Will Be New Requirements for U.S. Citizens Traveling to Europe in 2024—Here's What Honeymooners Need to Know

Soon to be gone are the days of easy, breezy travel to Europe. If you've already started planning your European destination wedding or honeymoon for 2024 and beyond, take note—there are about to be new requirements for U.S. citizens traveling to one of the world's favorite vacation continents. Beginning in 2024, any U.S. citizen who is booking a trip to Europe will need to apply for authorization through the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) before visiting the continent.

As it stands, a U.S. passport is ranked as the eighth most powerful passport in the world, with visa-free access to 184 countries, according to the Henly Passport Index, but with this new ETIAS policy, that could likely change.

Travelers can access the application for authorization on either the ETIAS website or mobile app, and will cost seven euros ($7.75 in USD). All application approvals will happen via email, and ETIAS explains that approvals should be processed within minutes. For applications that take longer, the processing time will hover around four days, but it could take up to 14 days if the applicant is asked to submit additional documents. Once the approval email comes through, travelers will be provided with a unique number that they should keep handy.

Once travelers are approved, they can stay in those European countries that require ETIAS authorization for up to 90 days within any 180-day period—and they must have their valid authorization with them for the duration of their stay. The travel authorization is valid for three years or until the travel document that was used in the application expires (whichever comes first).

Given that this is an entirely new process, the European Union encourages travelers to apply for authorization well in advance of their planned travel. U.S. citizens should also be sure to triple-check that their name, passport number, and identification information are entirely correct; any mistakes could result in issues when crossing a border. If you're changing your name before your trip, it's especially important to be sure that all information matches. Travelers should note that they will need both their passport and the ETIAS authorization in order to board a flight, bus, or ship entering any of the European countries requiring ETIAS approval.

The EU notes that the ETIAS visa does not guarantee entry to a country, and all travelers entering a European country requiring ETIAS authorization will still be subject to normal border-crossing formalities. If someone applies for the authorization and gets denied, they can find information about appealing on the EU's official website.