ETIAS Explained: What U.S. Travelers Need to Know for Europe in 2026

If you’re planning a performance tour to Europe in 2026 or beyond, you may start hearing more about ETIAS. ETIAS for U.S. travelers is a new travel authorization expected to be required for most visa-free visits to Europe once it launches, currently anticipated in Q4 of 2026.

This is not a visa, and it does not change the overall travel experience in any dramatic way. It is simply an additional step travelers will complete online before departure. We’re sharing the essentials here so you know what to expect as you plan ahead.

Background

The Schengen Area is made up of 27 countries that allow travelers to move between participating nations without routine border checks. Once you’ve entered the Schengen Area, you typically do not need to show your passport when crossing from one member country to another.

In 2018, the European Union adopted regulations establishing ETIAS (the European Travel Information and Authorization System) to strengthen screening at the external borders of the Schengen Area, as well as Bulgaria, Cyprus, and Romania. The goal is to review visa-exempt travelers before they arrive in Europe.

What Will Be Changing

Once ETIAS launches (currently expected in Q4 of 2026), U.S. citizens traveling to most European destinations for fewer than 90 days will need to obtain ETIAS travel authorization before departure.

ETIAS is not a visa. It is an online travel authorization expected to cost €7 and be valid for three years, or until a traveler’s passport expires, whichever comes first. Travelers will apply online using a valid passport, an email address, and a credit or debit card.

Passport validity reminder: Travelers should plan for their passport to be valid for at least three months beyond their intended departure date from Europe.

For travelers under age 18:

1. The €7 application fee is expected to be waived
2. Applications must be submitted by a parent or legal guardian

FAQs

• When does ETIAS begin? ETIAS is currently expected to launch in Q4 of 2026, though an official start date has not yet been announced.
• Do I need ETIAS for every European country? ETIAS applies to Schengen Area destinations and is also intended to cover Bulgaria, Cyprus, and Romania. Your specific itinerary determines what applies.
• Can one person submit a group application? No. Each traveler must submit an individual application. For minors, the application must be completed by a parent or legal guardian.
• Is ETIAS a visa? No. ETIAS is an authorization for visa-exempt travelers and does not change current visa-free rules for short stays of up to 90 days.
• How will this affect my Encore tour? ETIAS applications are completed by travelers for security reasons. Encore Tours will provide guidance, reminders, and recommended timing so groups know exactly what to do.

How Encore Tours Will Support Your Group

International travel requirements evolve over time. When ETIAS becomes mandatory, Encore Tours will help simplify the process with clear instructions, practical reminders, and support from your Encore team and Tour Manager, allowing you to stay focused on the music and the experience.

For the most current official guidance, travelers can consult the European Union’s ETIAS website. Additional information about passports and travel documentation is available in Encore’s Traveler Resources.

This post will be updated as new information becomes available or requirements change.