U.S. Travelers in the United Kingdom

U.S. citizens traveling to the United Kingdom for short visits, tourism, or business, will need an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) if they do not have a UK visa or legal residency in the UK or the Republic of Ireland. This requirement applies to all parts of the UK, including Northern Ireland. The ETA acts as a pre-clearance for travel. 

You do not need an ETA to transit through the UK if you will not pass through border control—check with your airline if you are not sure.

For more information, check how to apply for an ETA.

U.S. Travelers in Europe’s Schengen Area

The Schengen Borders Agreement creates uniform immigration policies and allows you to move freely within 27 European countries without border checks. 

Schengen entry and exit requirements 

• Passport validity: Your passport should be valid for at least 6 months at the time of your entry to any country in the EU or the Schengen Area.  If your passport has less than 6 months validity, an immigration officer may refuse your entry and require you to immediately return to the United States.
• Tourism or business visits: With a valid U.S. passport, you can stay up to 90 days during any 180-day period. You must wait an extra 90 days before applying to re-enter the Schengen area. 
• Stays longer than 3 months: Apply for a visa through the embassy of the country where you will spend most of your time.  
• Students, interns and workers: Check with the embassy of the country before you travel to determine if it requires a visa for the type of activity you wish to pursue. If you do need a visa, wait until you receive it before traveling to any country in the Schengen area. 
• Minors: Children traveling alone, with one parent, or with adults who are not their legal guardians, may need an extra official document depending on the destination. Check with the embassy or consulate in the United States of the destination country for its requirements.

No Electronic Travel Authorization required in the Schengen Area or EU:
Unlike the United Kingdom, U.S. citizen travelers do not need to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization or pay a fee prior to entering the Schengen Area or EU. 

The EU is in the process of developing a travel authorization system, called ETIAS. It plans to launch in late 2026. More information will be available once a launch date is confirmed. 

How can the U.S. government help if border officials won’t let me enter? 

Schengen Borders Agreement member countries 

Select the country for more information. 

Austria

Belgium

Bulgaria  

Croatia

Czechia

Denmark

Estonia

Finland

France

Germany

Greece

Hungary

Iceland

Italy

Latvia

Liechtenstein

Lithuania

Luxembourg

Malta

Netherlands

Norway

Poland

Portugal

Romania 

Slovakia

Slovenia

Spain

Sweden

Switzerland