New Required Travel Document for Europe

I just read an article the other day about a dispute the European Union (EU) is having with the US about some EU country members needing Visas to visit the US. So the EU is threatening to require that US citizens get a Visa to visit any EU countries. It has not been made mandatory yet and if it does take effect there would be a 12 month period before it applies. Link to an article about it here: https://www.skyscanner.com/tips-and-inspiration/us-travelers-to-europe-may-soon-need-visas

Otherwise I'm not unaware of any other travel documents required for travel to Europe. Hopefully there isn't any as we're going to Italy in September! :)

Perhaps your husband heard about the Mobile Passport app. This is not used when traveling TO Europe, but can expedite traveling through passport control upon returning FROM Europe. It’s free and can help eliminate standing in long lines.

Your husband heard about the implementation of ETIAS by the European Union. For most people travelling to the US they have to go online enter personal information and pay a fee to get a pre-approval to enter the US. The EU has complained about this and now has implemented a similar system...but not starting until 2021, and potentially it my be delayed.

There are a couple other threads on this (Visa needed for Europe) if you search.

That sounds familiar, the ETIA, so I will look up more information. We're planning to go in September, too (our second trip!) and we don't want any surprises (at least not the bad kind).
Thanks to all who replied.

Below is link to NY Times story.

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/09/travel/americans-eu-visa-etias.html

This does not take effect until 2021.....over a year AFTER your September trip. Don't worry about it.