The days of visa-free, spontaneous travel to Europe are changing.
For decades, American travelers have enjoyed the incredible privilege of being able to travel to most of Europe with nothing more than a valid passport. In 2025, however, that era of complete, hassle-free travel is coming to a close. A series of new electronic travel authorizations and tourist fees are being implemented across the continent, both in the United Kingdom and in the European Union.
While these new requirements are not formal visas, they are a mandatory new step that every American traveler must be aware of before they plan their next trip.
1. The ETIAS is now mandatory for the Schengen Area.
The biggest change is the new European Travel Information and Authorisation System, or ETIAS. This is a mandatory electronic pre-authorization that is now required for all U.S. citizens traveling to the 27 countries of the Schengen Area, which includes popular destinations like France, Italy, Spain, and Greece, as reported by USA Today. The application must be completed online before your trip, and there is a small fee.
The ETIAS is valid for three years and is electronically linked to your passport. Showing up at the airport without a pre-approved ETIAS will result in being denied boarding, a trip-ruining mistake that many unprepared travelers will likely make.
2. The United Kingdom has its own separate system, the ETA.
It is crucial for travelers to understand that because the United Kingdom is no longer part of the European Union, it has its own, separate electronic travel authorization system. This is called the Electronic Travel Authorisation, or ETA. Like the ETIAS, the UK’s ETA is a mandatory online pre-approval that all American citizens must obtain before traveling to England, Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland.
This means that if you are planning a trip that includes both London and Paris, for example, you will need to apply for and receive two separate travel authorizations: the UK’s ETA and the EU’s ETIAS, as mentioned in The Washington Post.
3. These systems are for security, not to discourage tourism.
While the new fees and applications can feel like a hassle, the stated purpose of both the ETIAS and the ETA is to enhance security. The systems are designed to pre-screen visa-free travelers against a variety of security databases before they arrive at the border. This allows authorities to identify any potential security or immigration risks in advance, according to BBC.
European and British officials have stressed that these are not visas and that they are not designed to discourage tourism. They are security measures that are very similar to the ESTA system that the United States has used for its own visa-waiver visitors for years.
4. Venice, Italy now requires a daily entry fee.
In a separate but related trend, the city of Venice has implemented its own unique entry fee to combat the crushing effects of overtourism. On peak days, all day-trippers visiting the historic center must pre-register their visit online and pay a daily access fee, which is currently around 5 euros. Visitors who are staying overnight in a hotel in the city are exempt but must still register.
This is a local rule, separate from the national ETIAS requirement. It is being enforced with spot checks, and visitors who have not paid the fee can face hefty fines, adding another layer of necessary pre-planning to any Italian vacation.
5. Other cities are considering similar “overtourism” taxes.
The new entry fee in Venice is being closely watched by other European cities that are also struggling with the negative impacts of mass tourism. Popular destinations like Barcelona, Amsterdam, and Dubrovnik are all exploring or have already implemented various forms of new tourist taxes that are aimed at managing crowds and funding local infrastructure.
For travelers, this means that the cost of visiting Europe’s most famous cities is on the rise. It is now more important than ever to research the local rules and regulations of your specific destination before you go to avoid any surprise fees.