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What do I need to travel to Europe?

For a U.S. citizen visiting Schengen Europe today: a valid passport and nothing to apply for in advance. But there are rules about that passport, a 90-day limit that counts across 29 countries, a new biometric check at the border, and the UK and Ireland work differently.

Checked against official sources Oct 29, 2026

The checklist

  1. Passport valid at least 3 months after the day you leave the Schengen area, and issued within the last 10 years. Check both dates.
  2. No visa for stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period, counted across all 29 Schengen countries together. Count yours with the 90/180 calculator.
  3. Fingerprints and a photo at the border. The EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES) has been fully operational since April 10, 2026; it replaces passport stamps. Free, nothing to apply for. About EES.
  4. No ETIAS yet. Not required yet. The EU has not published a start date; it says it will announce the date several months before ETIAS starts, followed by at least 6 months when it isn’t enforced strictly. When it starts it will cost €20 and last 3 years. Timeline.
  5. Going to the UK too? The UK isn’t in the EU or Schengen: you need a UK ETA (£20) before you travel, unless you only change planes airside. UK ETA.
  6. Ireland and Cyprus are in the EU but not in Schengen: separate entry, separate day count. See Ireland and Cyprus.
  7. Travel insurance is not required for a visa-free visit, though border guards can ask how you’d cover emergency costs. It is required if you need a Schengen visa.
Several countries on one trip? Put the whole route in the trip check, including connections. It applies the passport, 90/180, UK ETA and other rules stop by stop.

Which countries are in Schengen

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. Bulgaria and Romania became full members on January 1, 2025.

Country pages: France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain.

Other passports

  • British, Canadian and Australian citizens: the same as U.S. citizens: visa-free 90/180, EES at the border, ETIAS when it starts.
  • EU citizens: free movement with a passport or national ID card; no EES, no ETIAS.

Official sources

  1. Regulation (EU) 2018/1806 (visa list regulation), original text - EUR-Lex · LIST OF THIRD COUNTRIES WHOSE NATIONALS ARE EXEMPT FROM THE REQUIREMENT TO BE IN POSSESSION OF A VISA WHEN CROSSING THE EXTERNAL BORDERS OF THE MEMBER STATES FOR STAYS OF NO MORE THAN 90 DAYS IN ANY 180-DAY PERIOD · checked 2026-10-29
  2. Main differences between the EES and ETIAS: What travellers need to know - Migration and Home Affairs (28 April 2026) · If you are a citizen of the United States and you intend to travel to any of the 30 European countries requiring ETIAS for a short stay, you will need to apply for a travel authorisation · checked 2026-10-29
  3. Entry requirements - France travel advice - GOV.UK (page updated 2026-10-22) · You can travel without a visa to the Schengen area, which includes France, for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. · checked 2026-10-29
  4. Frequently asked questions - ETIAS · UK nationals, including British overseas citizens (BOC), British protected persons (BPP), British subjects (BS), are required to have a valid ETIAS travel authorisation to travel to any of the 30 European countries requiring ETIAS · checked 2026-10-29
  5. Travel advice and advisories for France - travel.gc.ca (last updated 28 October 2026) · Tourist visa: not required for stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period · checked 2026-10-29
  6. France Travel Advice & Safety - Smartraveller (updated 30 October 2026 AEST) · There is no confirmed date for the implementation of ETIAS. The European Union will announce the date several months before its launch. · checked 2026-10-29
  7. Documents you need for travel in the EU and Schengen countries - Your Europe (last checked by EU 16/06/2026) · As an EU national, you have the right to travel freely in the 27 EU member countries · checked 2026-10-29
  8. Regulation (EU) 2016/399 (Schengen Borders Code), consolidated text 10.07.2024 - EUR-Lex · its validity shall extend at least three months after the intended date of departure from the territory of the Member States. In a justified case of emergency, this obligation may be waived; · checked 2026-10-29
  9. The new Entry/Exit System went live on 12 October - Migration and Home Affairs (13 October 2025) · On 12 October, 29 European countries started introducing Europe’s new digital border system - the Entry/Exit System (EES) at their external borders. · checked 2026-10-29
  10. FAQs about EES - EES · This progressive implementation lasted until 9 April 2026. From 10 April 2026, the EES is fully operational at all external border crossing points of the European countries using the system. · checked 2026-10-29
  11. European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) - official site · ETIAS is currently not in operation and no applications for travel authorisations are collected at this point. · checked 2026-10-29

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