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Starting in 2025, the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) will replace the existing visa-free travel system within the Schengen area. The new visa system will make it easier for American tourists to enter Portugal. This includes Americans who travel from the US.
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ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System), an updated visa waiver system, will be mandatory for all eligible travelers in 2025. The European Commission first envisioned the ETIAS system in 2016. It will revolutionise how millions of American citizens and foreigners travel to Portugal. All American citizens will need to apply online for ETIAS before traveling to any of the 26 Schengen countries plus San Marino, Vatican City, Cyprus, Croatia, Bulgaria, and Romania. ETIAS online applications are not difficult or complex. The entire process of filling out and submitting an electronic ETIAs request should take no more than 10 minutes. Travelers from the US will need an ETIAS authorisation to enter Portugal and any other ETIAS country once the ETIAS travel authorisation process is mandatory. Many other countries and nationalities, such as Brits, Canadians, and Australians, will need to apply for ETIAS before visiting an ETIAS country from abroad. It’s easy to understand why European nations changed its visa-free policy. Starting in 2025, the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) will replace the existing visa-free travel system within the Schengen area. The new ETIAS system is designed to increase border security and safety for international and local travelers. It will also help reduce health hazards and combat illegal immigration and terrorism. The new visa structure will make it easier for foreign tourists to Portugal. This includes Americans who travel from the US. Travelers from the US will need an authorisation to enter Portugal and any other Schengen country once the ETIAS travel authorisation process is mandatory.
American citizens traveling to Portugal under an ETIAS authorisation won’t have to go to consulates or embassies as they would for standard visa applications. The ETIAS application can be completed online, which is significantly more straightforward than the current Schengen visa application. Travelers will need a valid passport to begin their online application. The passport must be valid for at least three months after the traveler intends to arrive in Portugal. Additional documentation may be requested by the border official responsible for reviewing the ETIAS application. Except for an unusual situation, further documentation is not typically required. It is important to remember that an ETIAS authorisation does not guarantee entry into Portugal or any other Schengen countries. A border official may refuse admission to anyone who appears “off” at the checkpoint. This applies even to travelers who have been pre-approved and have a valid ETIAS travel permit.
International travel is made easier by the new ETIAS system. The online application takes less than 10 minutes. Most applicants will receive a positive decision via email within 24 hours after submitting their application. Travelers can enter any Schengen country for as long as 90 days within a 180-day period after approval. An ETIAS travel authorisation is valid for three years from the date of approval, provided the passport is valid. Remember that the ETIAS approval can only be granted if a passport number or travel document number is provided. A new passport requires that you submit an ETIAS application. Depending on the reason, a traveler might be able to appeal an ETIAS rejection.
American citizens who use the ETIAS travel application form will be pleased with the speed of processing. The new system is simple and easy to use. It only requires that travelers submit basic information, such as name and nationality, as well as details about travel history, criminal records, and other safety-related issues. The ETIAS application will be approved if everything looks accurate. The security officer may request additional information if something doesn’t seem right or it can’t corroborate the information provided with its pre-existent information on the system. They may also request an interview in person if the applicant may be considered a risk or threat because of a criminal, health-related, or immigration-related past.
The new ETIAS travel authorisation process is, first and foremost, a border security measure. American citizens will have to follow the same procedures for ETIAS as other non-Schengen-based travelers once it becomes effective in 2025. The ETIAS network will collect and process personal data according to strict online security protocols.
The Schengen countries have been exposed to terrorist and criminal threats by events over the past decades. It is evident that Portugal is vulnerable to radicalised and disturbed individuals as a result of the attacks in Europe. The ETIAS system will be used as a tool for pre-screening foreigners to safeguard the Schengen area from incoming threats. Each application will be carefully evaluated. Border officials may refuse entry to applicants whose risk level is too high.
Over the past decade, illegal immigration has become a growing problem in the Schengen area. Illegal immigration has been linked to exploitation, organised crime, over-population issues, and wage disparity. ETIAS will make it easier for border officials to recognise and keep track of travelers, thus reducing the prevalence of illegal immigration and overstays.
ETIAS is expected to be the standard for all 26 Schengen nations plus San Marino, Vatican City, Cyprus, Croatia, Romania, and Bulgaria. Consistent processes make it easier for travelers to know what to expect and streamline the whole process. This is also advantageous for border officers. Individuals traveling to multiple countries within Schengen will be pre-screened before they can board the plane and get approved. Imagine a tourist arriving in Portugal and then continuing on to Spain. They will be vetted for entry into Portugal by following the same process and standards as tourists who travel exclusively to Spain. This consistency makes it easier for both travelers and border officers to have a smoother experience.
American travelers, as well as travelers from the other 59 visa-exempt countries, will have to submit an electronic ETIAS request before they can travel to any Schengen country. This upcoming change in border policy will also affect the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, and New Zealand. This complete list includes 60 countries whose citizens will need to submit ETIAS requests to travel to Portugal.
Albania
Antigua and Barbuda
Argentina
Australia
Bahamas
Barbados
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Brazil
Brunei
Canada
Chile
Colombia
Costa Rica
Dominican Republic
El Salvador
Georgia
Grenada
Guatemala
Honduras
Hong Kong
Israel
Japan
Kiribati
Macao
Northern Macedonia
Malaysia
Marshall Islands
Mauritius
Mexico
Micronesia
Moldova
Montenegro
New Zealand
Nicaragua
Palau
Panama
Paraguay
Peru
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Lucia
Saint Vincent
St. Vincent
Serbia
Seychelles
Singapore
Solomon Islands
South Korea
Taiwan
Timor Leste
Tonga
Trinidad and Tobago
Tuvalu
Uruguay
Ukraine
UAE
Vanuatu
Venezuela
United Kingdom
United StatesAmericans will need to apply for the ETIAS approval if they travel to or through any of the 26 Schengen countries plus San Marino, Vatican City, Croatia, Bulgaria, Romania, and Cyprus. ETIAS approval is not required for travelers visiting for some European countries outside of the Schengen area, such as Ireland. American citizens will need to apply for ETIAS in order to travel to the following countries:
Austria
Belgium
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Iceland
Italy
Latvia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
Netherlands
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Slovakia
Slovenia
Sweden
Spain
Switzerland
Bulgaria
Croatia
Cyprus
Romania
Monaco
San Marino
Vatican
Can’t find the answer you were looking for on this page? No worries! Our committed customer service team is always available to help you on request!
After 2025, it will be mandatory for American citizens to apply for ETIAS when traveling to Europe. In 2025, the new ETIAS visa waiver system will replace all current short-term travel regulations for visa-exempt countries. International travelers and border officials will have a grace period of at most six months to adjust to the new process. It is best to complete the application form as soon as the ETIAS program launches in 2025. Processing time for your application should take at least 96 hours (4 days) and should be done weeks before your departure.
ETIAS is an effortless travel system. US citizens can submit an easy online application requiring less than 10 minutes to complete. They should include basic information and answer a of security questions.
Travelers entering Portugal currently do not need a COVID certificate or passport. However, there will likely be changes in policies and procedures regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. Before your departure, we recommend that you review the most current travel regulations.
An American Consulate is available to assist you if you have any questions during your time in Portugal. You can also find the American Embassy in Lisbon.