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Do I need a Visa to visit Europe?
Image sourced from Pixabay, Gerd Altmann
This is the most frequent question our travelers ask, and it is still a source of confusion. There are many sites out there that will attempt to answer, but many of these range from confusing to inaccurate. The short answer is that if you are a US traveler visiting for a short time for pleasure or even business, you need a visa (ETA) for the United Kingdom, but not yet for the European Union. There is a lot of fine print, so if you want to get into the details, go to the source:
At the start of 2025, the United Kingdom introduced a new visa policy called an ETA. Most US travelers will require this to enter the UK and must apply prior to arrival. Note: Northern Ireland is a part of the UK.
No action is required from travellers at this point. ETIAS will start operations in the last quarter of 2026. The European Union will inform about the specific date for the start of ETIAS several months prior to its launch.
(Click the images above to be taken to the official sites.)
So let's not worry about the European Union or its complexities at this point. In fact, they have a history of moving this target, so we will keep an eye on that space. But the United Kingdom is active, and it easy to apply. But how?
Like many new programs that many people do not yet understand, there are numerous sites that claim to 'simplify' the process for you and do all the legwork required to get you that ETA. But don't fall prey to these - they will charge you a big fee for something that is simple and easy to understand!
Like many new programs that most people do not yet understand, there are numerous sites that claim to 'simplify' the process for you and do all the legwork required to get you that ETA. But don't fall prey to these - they will charge you a big fee for something that is simple and easy to understand!
Applying for a UK ETA is simple and easy. And it is also inexpensive: £16 for a visa that lasts for 2 years in most cases. (That's about $21.50 at today's exchange rate.) There is an app available from the UK Home Office (the government) that will lead you through the process step by step:
If you do not see "Home Office" or go to an official UK government site to apply (https://www.gov.uk/eta/apply), do not proceed. You could be charged as much as $100 by some of these companies needlessly!
We will post another update once we have complete information for the European Union, but as of now there is no plan to implement a program until the 4th quarter of 2026. So stay tuned for that, and if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us using the form below.
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