CORRECTION: This story has been updated with corrected information regarding U.S. citizens and travel to Europe. Please find the corrected article here .
ORIGINAL STORY: U.S. citizens traveling to Europe will have to be mindful of new visa rules after 2021.
Starting on Jan. 21, 2021, Americans will need a ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System) visa when traveling to a European Schengen-zone country, which includes Germany, France, Spain, Sweden, and Italy. Though, travelers heading to Ireland or the United Kingdom will not need the new visa.
The visa will cost a one-time fee of about €7, according to a release from the European Union. The move is meant to improve security, "to avoid any further problems with illegal migration and terrorism," the ETIAS visa website says.
Currently, U.S. citizens traveling to Europe for 90 days or less do not need a visa. Eventually, the new visa will be required for short-stay travel as well.
To apply for a visa, Americans will need a valid passport, an email account, and a credit or debit card. Passports must be valid for three months beyond the period of an individual's intended stay.
Americans will be required to have a ETIAS visa valid for three years when entering European Schengen-zone countries. The visa is a multiple-entry visa, allowing access to multiple countries. Minors must also apply for the visa.
