Traveling to Europe will get a little more difficult for Americans
The visa-free European journeys that U.S. citizens get to enjoy won't last much longer. But those suffering from wanderlust shouldn't stress too much.
The European Union announced on Friday that beginning in 2021, American travelers will need to apply for a visa to to visit the Schengen Area — a 26-country zone on the continent that does have internal borders. Popular tourist destinations like France, Italy, and Spain are all in the Schengen Area.
Americans, who can currently spend up to 90 days in the Schengen zone without a visa, will need a valid passport, an email account, and a credit or debit card to apply for the visa. But once the paperwork is retrieved, traveling likely won't be all that different than it is today. The visa will remain valid for three years and carriers will be able to enter Schengen countries as many times as possible within that span. Minors will still only need their normal passport to travel. Registration will take place online.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The EU said it "has recently decided to improve their security level to avoid any further problems with illegal migration and terrorism." The decision may also stem from a dispute between the United States and the European Commission, CNN reports. Currently, the U.S. requires travelers from five EU member states — Bulgaria, Croatia, Poland, Romania, and Cyprus — to apply for a visa to enter the U.S. EU rules require equal treatment for all member states.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Tim is a staff writer at The Week and has contributed to Bedford and Bowery and The New York Transatlantic. He is a graduate of Occidental College and NYU's journalism school. Tim enjoys writing about baseball, Europe, and extinct megafauna. He lives in New York City.
-
Sudan's forgotten pyramids
Under the Radar Brutal civil war and widespread looting threatens African nation's ancient heritage
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
'Being more nuanced will not be easy for public health agencies'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Where did Democratic voters go?
Voter turnout dropped sharply for Democrats in 2024
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
Quincy Jones, music icon, is dead at 91
Speed Read The legendary producer is perhaps best known as the architect behind Michael Jackson's 'Thriller'
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
OJ Simpson, star athlete tried for murder, dead at 76
Speed Read The former football hero and murder suspect lost his battle with cancer
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Momofuku's 'Chili Crunch' trademark uproar
Speed Read The company's attempt to own the sole rights has prompted backlash
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Kevin Hart awarded Mark Twain Prize
Speed Read He is the 25th recipient of the prestigious comedy prize
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Is Downton Abbey set to return for a final film?
Speed Read Imelda Staunton reveals that a third movie may be in the pipeline
By Adrienne Wyper, The Week UK Published
-
'Oppenheimer' sweeps Oscars with 7 wins
speed read The film won best picture, best director (Christopher Nolan) and best actor (Cillian Murphy)
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
'Rust' armorer convicted of manslaughter
speed read The film's cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was shot and killed by actor Alec Baldwin during rehearsal
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The Beatles are getting 4 intersecting biopics
Speed Read Director Sam Mendes is making four separate movies, each told from the perspective of one band member
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published