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.