Practical Information

Frequently Asked Questions

21.11.2024 Administration Team of the EU Delegation to the United States

This page includes answers and resources to the most common questions we receive at the EU Delegation to the United States. If you have a question that is not answered below, please contact us at delegation-usa-info@eeas.europa.eu.

VISAS AND IMMIGRATION:

I would like to obtain a visa to travel to the European Union for vacation.
I would like to obtain a work visa to live and work in the European Union.
I would like to claim asylum in the European Union.
My visa application has been rejected/I have been barred from entering the Schengen Area.

The EU Delegation in Washington does not deal with visa and immigration issues, this belongs to each individual European embassy. For visa or immigration inquiries, please contact the relevant EU Member State embassy or local consulate. A full list of websites of the EU Member States is provided below.

TRADE AND BUSINESS:

I would like to do business/am doing business with EU countries or companies and would like to know more about a specific EU company.
My company/business has offices or partners in the European Union and I would like to know more about transatlantic import and export regulations.

For all matters related to trade and business, please contact Trade Counsellor Pedro Martins at pedro.martins@eeas.europa.eu with your inquiry and contact details.

CULTURE/EVENTS:

I would like to know about EU Delegation events. Can I be invited, or how can my group be involved?

To stay updated on EU Delegation events in the Washington, D.C. metro area and beyond, subscribe to our bi-weekly newsletter "EU in the US Top 10" to receive policy updates and event invitations. Additionally, follow us on social media (@EUintheUS) to stay updated on our activities. If you want more information, you can always contact delegation-usa-info@eeas.europa.eu.

ACADEMIA:

I would like my group/class/department to visit the EU Delegation.

If your class or student group is interested in visiting the EU Delegation office in Washington, D.C., please contact delegation-usa-info@eeas.europa.eu with your request, including topics of interest.

I would like to apply/know more about job opportunities and traineeships at the EU Delegation.

The EU Delegation offers paid traineeships for young graduates from both the EU and United States. The call for applications are sent out twice a year for the sessions starting in October and March each year. Keep an eye on the EEAS vacancies page and social media for the latest announcements.

PRESS AND MEDIA:

I would like to meet/interview a member of staff of the EU Delegation.
I would like to interview someone from the EU Delegation for my thesis/research/project.

For press and interview inquiries, please contact delegation-usa-press@eeas.europa.eu with your inquiry and contact details.

I would like to invite the Ambassador or another staff member to my event.

To inquire about the EU or a member of the EU Delegation to participate in your event, please contact delegation-usa-info@eeas.europa.eu with your request and contact details.

SHORT-TERM VISITS TO EUROPE

Do I need visa or any type of registration to travel to Europe?

No. If you are a U.S. citizen, you only need your passport and no other documentation to enter the following European countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.

There is no visa obligation for U.S. citizens.

Will I need a visa or any type of registration to travel to Europe in the future?

If you are a U.S. citizen, you will not need any additional registration besides your passport if you travel to the aforementioned countries before 2026.
The electronic registration system ETIAS (explained below) is scheduled to be introduced in the last quarter of 2026. The exact date will be announced at least six (6) months before the system enters into operation.

What is the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS)?

ETIAS is an entry requirement for visa-exempt nationals similar to ones already in place in the United States (ESTA), Canada, United Kingdom, and Australia.

ETIAS is not a visa. It only covers short-term stays to the 30 aforementioned countries. It will cost 7 euros (just over $7) and be valid for three (3) years or until your passport expires.

When will ETIAS go into effect?

ETIAS is scheduled to be introduced in the last quarter of 2026. The exact date will be announced at least six (6) months before the system enters into operation.

The Entry/Exit System is expected to be introduced in October 2025.

What is the Exit/Entry System (EES)?

Starting in October 2025, non-EU nationals travelling to the Schengen area for a short stay will get their pictures and fingerprints taken at the external borders of 29 European countries. This is a system similar to the one used by the United States for its foreign visitors. The EES modernises border management by increasing the efficiency and quality of processes at the border. This simplifies travel and makes it safer.

How long does the ETIAS travel authorization remain valid?

Your ETIAS travel authorisation will be valid for three years or until your travel document expires – whichever date comes first. For example, if your passport is valid for two years, your ETIAS travel authorization will only be valid for two years.

Where do I apply?

You will be able to apply using the official ETIAS website or the official ETIAS mobile app once they are live.

Third-party intermediaries can be authorised by you to apply for an ETIAS travel authorisation on your behalf. Before you decide to use these services, make sure that you verify the quality of their services, be aware of additional charges, and determine how they protect your data.

If you are looking for more information, please visit the official EES/ETIAS website.