Visiting Europe is now more accessible than ever. With many European countries removing border controls and waiving visa requirements for numerous nations, their cities have become popular tourist destinations worldwide.
For Americans, both citizens and residents, the interest in exploring Europe is high, just as Europeans are keen on traveling to the 50 states of North America. However, the complexities of travel bureaucracy can be confusing for the U.S. travelers, particularly regarding the need for an EU visa for trips to the Schengen Zone, the steps involved, and the necessary documentation.
If you are a US national or a foreigner residing in the U.S., following this article, you can learn more about what you need to do to visit Europe, according to your case.
Can U.S. Nationals Travel to Europe Without a Visa?
Yes, U.S. citizens holding a valid U.S. passport can visit 29 countries in Europe’s Schengen Area for up to 90 days for tourism or business without needing a Schengen visa.
However, for US residents who are not American citizens, the requirements vary based on their nationality.
- If you’re a US resident but not a U.S. Citizen, and your home country has a visa-free agreement with the EU, you can travel to Europe without a visa.
- If your home country does not have such an agreement with the EU, you’ll need to apply for a Schengen visa in the U.S. before traveling to Europe.
Note: (Starting from May 2025, U.S. citizens will have to apply for an ETIAS before their travel towards Europe to be allowed to enter the territory.)
What Do Americans Need to Enter Europe’s Schengen Visa-Free Zone?
If you’re a U.S. Citizen planning a trip to Europe, you don’t need a visa, but you will need a few important documents:
- U.S. passport: Your passport should be no more than ten years old and valid for at least three months after you plan to leave the Schengen Area.
- ETIAS Authorization: Required from May 2025.
- Purpose of Visit: Bring documents that explain why you’re traveling to the Schengen Area.
- Financial Proof: You’ll need to show that you have enough money for your stay in Europe.
Remember, the EU border official makes the final decision on your entry. If you’re not allowed in, you must return to the U.S. and apply for a standard Schengen visa.
Tips for U.S. Citizens Visiting and Moving Around the Schengen Zone
- Check Your Passport’s Validity: Before starting your journey, confirm that your passport will remain valid throughout your trip. If necessary, renew it in advance to avoid any complications.
- Get Your Passport Stamped: Upon entering and exiting the Schengen zone, remember to have immigration officials stamp your passport. This is crucial for verifying your travel dates.
- Keep Your Passport Handy: While traveling within the Schengen countries, always carry your passport. Sometimes, internal borders may be reinstated unexpectedly, and you must show your passport.
Which EU Countries Can Americans Visit Without a Visa?
Americans are among the lucky world travelers, permitted to enter and travel throughout the whole territory of the Schengen Zone/EU without having to obtain an EU visa.
The European countries where Americans can travel without having to obtain a short-term Schengen visa are:
| Austria | Greece | Norway |
| Belgium | Hungary | Poland |
| Bulgaria | Iceland | Portugal |
| Croatia | Italy | Romania |
| Czech Republic | Latvia | Slovakia |
| Denmark | Liechtenstein | Slovenia |
| Estonia | Lithuania | Spain |
| Finland | Luxembourg | Sweden |
| France | Malta | Switzerland |
| Germany | Netherlands |
How Long Can a U.S. Citizen Stay in Europe Without a Visa?
U.S passport holders can stay in the Schengen Area for a maximum of 90 days out of every 180-day period.
Pay attention to the period you spend in the Schengen since overstaying always results in consequences such as fines or deportation, even when it is unintentional.
Many people get confused when it comes to the 90/180 rule. But, the rule is very simple. The 180-day period keeps rolling. Therefore, anytime you wish to enter the Schengen, you just have to count backward the last 180 days, and see if you have been present there for more than 90 days throughout that period.
Note: Periods of the previous stay authorized under a residence permit or a long-stay visa are not taken into account in the calculation of the duration of a visa-free stay.
Check the Schengen calculator to calculate your legal short-stay days in Europe.
Can a U.S. Citizen Stay in Europe for More Than 90 Days?
If you need to remain in Europe longer than 90 days, then you must apply for a residency permit.
Is Medical Insurance Mandatory for US Nationals Traveling to Europe?
Travel medical insurance for Europe is not required for U.S. Citizens who do not need a visa to enter the Schengen zone. Nonetheless, it is highly recommended for travelers (both U.S. Citizens and non-U.S. Citizens) visiting Europe for business, tourism, and other purposes as well. Travel Insurance in Europe will cover any medical emergencies such as illnesses or accidents, that occur throughout your trip.
How Do I Get Travel Insurance for Europe from the U.S.A?
It is very easy to buy travel insurance for Europe from the U.S.A.
- Go to the website of Europ Assistance
- Choose the travel insurance coverage area (Schengen only or Extended Europe).
- Fill in the dates of your travel to Europe.
- Get the price.
- Pay online.
- Get your travel insurance certificate via email.
Getting your travel visa insurance from Europ Assistance will allow you to enjoy your trip from the U.S.A to Europe with peace of mind.
U.S. Citizen Rejected from Entering Europe Visa-Free
As previously stated, if you were rejected from entering the Schengen Zone, despite being a US national or a national of a country that has established a visa-free regime with the European Union, you must apply for a Schengen visa in the United States.
You can apply for a visa at the embassy or consulate of the main country you wish to visit, located in the U.S.. Sometimes embassies outsource visa submission to the embassy or consulate of another Schengen country or third parties that offer visa services.
Can the U.S. government help me?
If an individual encounters difficulties entering the Schengen zone at its border, the U.S. government can offer support in the following ways:
- Embassy Contact Information: They can provide the individual with contact details of embassies in the countries they plan to visit. This helps in facilitating communication with local authorities for assistance.
- Legal Assistance Guidance: They can assist in finding and hiring an English-speaking attorney in the country of visit, if legal help is needed.
However, it is crucial to understand that the U.S. government cannot influence the decisions of foreign governments regarding entry permissions, nor can it intervene in other countries’ legal or administrative processes. The support offered is mainly in the form of guidance and information.
Travel Tips for Americans Visiting Europe
Whether this is your first or second time traveling from the U.S. to Europe, some extra tips for the trip are always handy. Listed and explained below, find some of the top tips for U.S. Citizens traveling to Europe, that will make your traveling easier and more pleasant.
Travel Off-Season
Most Americans visiting Europe want to see the Swiss Alps during winter and the Greek islands during summer. However, that is the time everybody else will be there as well. No overcrowded destination is fun and worth visiting. That is why, if you travel off-season, you may find fewer people at the top European tourist sites and you will be able to enjoy them more. You will also be able to find cheaper accommodation and train tickets and tours.
Use Budget Airlines
When traveling from one European country to another try booking Budget Airlines. Especially if you are traveling short distances. A few services, the absence of most of which you will not even notice, will be better for your pocket.
Travel by Train
Though traveling by train is not so popular in the U.S., Americans traveling in Europe are highly advised to travel by train, especially between the Schengen states and cities. Traveling by train is among the cheapest means of transport in the old continent, and you will be able to enjoy the trip more since trains give you the chance to see more of Europe.
Befriend the locals
By all means, no one knows the cheapest and tastiest food shops better than the locals do. Try to chitchat with some of the locals, and they will show you where you can have a finger-licking meal, without having to spend too much. They will also show you interesting places to see, that not all tourists are aware of. American tourists are always welcomed in Europe; therefore, you will be quite successful at doing this. In addition, you will make some new buddies that are a must to have a more memory-lasting journey.
Make reservations in advance
They are always cheaper, and not only. If you make reservations in advance as an American on a Europe trip, you will avoid wandering from one hotel to another to find a place to sleep, in case of overcrowded hotels. At the same time, you will avoid the risk of having to lose time, by waiting for the next flight, bus, or train, since the previous was full or even in long lines at tourist attractions.
Keep cash with you
If you are planning to use credit cards while traveling Europe as a tourist from the U.S., you should know that there are places in the old continent that only accept cash. In addition, having cash with you to pay for taxi rides, tips, and purchases at local markets will save you quite a lot of money on foreign transaction fees.
Not all European countries use the Euro
All US states use the American dollar, but not all EU countries use the Euro. Despite the belief that the Euro is the common currency for all European countries, there are a lot of countries that use other currencies. For example, the Czech Republic uses Koruna, Liechtenstein uses the Swiss Franc, and Poland uses Zloty.
Bring an umbrella
All Americans visiting Europe are highly advised to take an umbrella, which folds and can be kept in a backpack. In many European cities, especially in those located in Southern Europe as Ljubljana in Slovenia, Naples, and Turin in Italy, rain is always forecasted.
