There are three significant changes that are going to take place at all European airports in the near future, and if you are an American traveling to Europe in the near future, you need be aware of these changes if you want to have a pleasant trip in and out of the Old Continent, or even if you want to be permitted to enter at all.
In recent months, Europe has been gradually increasing the number of restrictions placed on entrance for travelers from other countries, as you may already be aware.
This pattern is quite likely to become more pronounced beginning in the year 2025, when a new border policy will go into force, which will have an impact on all passengers, including Americans.
What exactly are these three suggested modifications that Brussels is so eager to implement that would have an effect on airport arrivals?
The return of liquid limits is imminent.
After making a commitment to do away with the 100 milliliter rule, they are in reality bringing it back. The first one is already going into force, and it is related to the limit of liquid products that you are allowed to take while flying airside in Europe.
In anticipation of a Europe-wide reversal of the aviation order that was issued in 2006, a number of airports in the European area have, throughout the course of the years, either reduced or eliminated the dreaded liquid restriction. These airports include key transit hubs like as Dublin Airport and Amsterdam Schiphol.
The phasing out process included the testing of more advanced C3 scanners as well as screening methods that were both quicker and more effective. Regrettably, the preparations to continue with the last phase have been abandoned, since the most recent rule released by the European Commission formally reinstates the necessity that liquids be used.
The first one is already going to take effect on September 1, 2024, and it is related to the limit of liquid products that you are allowed to carry while flying airside in Europe. After making a promise to do away with the 100-milliliter regulation, they are really reconsidering their decision to reinstate it.
In anticipation of a Europe-wide reversal of the aviation order that was issued in 2006, a number of airports in the European area have, throughout the course of the years, either reduced or eliminated the dreaded liquid restriction. These airports include key transit hubs like as Dublin Airport and Amsterdam Schiphol.
The phasing out process included the testing of more advanced C3 scanners as well as screening methods that were both quicker and more effective. Regrettably, the preparations to continue with the last phase have been abandoned, since the most recent rule released by the European Commission formally reinstates the necessity that liquids be used.
According to the Commission, this is a “precautionary” action to solve a temporary technological problem; nevertheless, it is not necessarily a response to security concerns; yet, it is expected to send shockwaves through Europe’s busiest airports, which had previously enacted luggage restrictions that were less stringent.
Airports that have been “early adopters” of the C3 technology will be “heavily penalized both operationally and financially,” as stated by Olivier Jankovec, Director General of Airports Council International. This is despite the fact that security is considered to be “non-negotiable.”
Keeping your liquids in containers that are less than 100 milliliters is the best way to go moving ahead.
A Fingerprinting Procedure for Every Traveler
When the next major change is implemented at European airports, it will be more substantial, and Americans will be among the first to feel the sting of it. Beginning on November 10, all non-European visitors who arrive at European borders will be required to have their fingerprints taken and register.
This is a component of the new Entry-Exit System (ESS) that the European Union has implemented in an effort to increase the efficiency of border control and the screening of incoming travelers.
You should already be aware of the fact that you are only permitted to stay in the Schengen Zone of Europe for a maximum of ninety days out of any 180-day period.
In order to ensure compliance with this regulation, border patrol agents often make use of entrance and departure stamps to determine whether or not a person has been in the country for more than the maximum of three months as a tourist. It goes without saying that this is not the most trustworthy approach.
Due to the European Entry System (EES), visitors will be required to provide their biometric information at the time of their entry in Europe. This will allow for the regulation of their movement into and out of the zone.
It has been confirmed by Ylva Johansson, the Commissioner of the European Union, that passport stamps would become obsolete in the future.
What is the unfortunate news?
If you are arriving in Europe for the first time, you should be prepared for some extra waiting time since you will be registering for the first time.
What is the good news?
Due to the fact that your information will be retained for a duration of three years, it is quite probable that you will not be required to undergo another fingerprinting procedure within that time period.
Traveling to Europe and Paying an Entry Fee
At the very least, you should wait to book those tickets to Europe until you have received authorization to travel. There is no doubt that this is the most important thing to keep in mind.
Yes, you read it correctly: for the very first time in recent history, it will be necessary for Americans to get prior permission in order to go to Europe.
Even though it is not a legal visa, if you do not have it, you will not be permitted to board planes that are headed to Europe beginning in the middle of the year 2025.
It is known as the European Travel Information and Authorization System, or ETIAS for short, and it is applicable to all foreign people who are presently exempt from requirements to get a visa in order to travel to Europe. This includes citizens of the United States of America, Canada, and the United Kingdom.
As soon as the ETIAS portal is operational, you will be able to submit your application entirely online, and the majority of applications will be completed within a few seconds to a few minutes.
In order to proceed, you will be required to fill out a form, respond to questions about your personal history, and pay a cost of seven euros.
After your ETIAs have been accepted, you will be sent an authorization to travel that is valid for three years and will be sent to your email email address.
In the event that you go to Europe within that time period, you will be able to produce it at the airport together with your valid ETIAS and your passport.
In the event that your passport expires sooner than your current ETIAS, you will be required to reapply for a new travel document. Additionally, it is important to keep in mind that even if an ETIAS is valid for three years, this does not indicate that you are permitted to stay in Europe for that whole period of time.
If you comply to the 90-day guideline during each trip, it enables you to go to the Schengen Area an infinite number of times. There is no limit to the number of times you may travel there.