Hello,
Do US Citizens visiting Schengen countries (France, Switzerland and Italy) need a visa?
I have read a lot about it and everywhere I see that it is not required if travel is less that 90 days and ETIAS has been postponed until 2026.
However one of my friend called yesterday and said US Citizens need visa and a lot of her friends also took.
So now I am nervous as our trip starts in 2 days.
Please help me ASAP.
Thank you!!
Not required. You can always get the info from the US State Dept which is generally up to date rather than from “friends”. Here is Switzerland’s requirement:
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Switzerland.html
Curious if friend could be thinking of the non-Schengen UK’s ETA requirement.
No you do not need a visa to travel to France, Switzerland and Italy. You will need a current US passport.
Your friend gave you the wrong info. You can relax.
US State Department website is always the best place for answers. Your friend may be thinking about ETIAS - https://etias.com/ which is not a visa but similar to what USA uses for tourists. ETIAS has been delayed for a long time. Currently looking at the end of 2026 for implementation.
But your friend may be confusing it was what is currently required for the UK - ETA, Electronic Travel VISA. This is needed even if you are merely transiting through Heathrow. Can b e done on phone, or we did it online and you can do it quickly, but will need a picture from chest up.
Everything I see says you do NOT need the ETA if you are merely transiting thru Heathrow and not staying in the UK. Has something changed recently?
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-an-electronic-travel-authorisation-eta
ETA = Electronic Travel Authorisation It is NOT a visa
Who does not need an ETA
You do not need an ETA if:
you have a visa
you have permission to live, work or study in the UK (including settled or pre-settled status or right of abode)
you are transiting through a UK airport and you will not pass through border control - check with your airline if you are not sure
Thank you Joe.
Thank you everyone!
And I am sorry for any misinformation and stand corrected. It is an authorization, not a visa.
AND the rules for implementation changed - so merely transiting through Heathrow doesn't required the ETA. I found the following:
Generally, you do NOT need an ETA for airside transit. As of January 16, 2025, there's a temporary exemption for passengers who transit airside (meaning they stay within the airport's international transit area and do not go through UK border control) at Heathrow and Manchester airports. This was put in place after the aviation industry raised concerns about the ETA deterring airside transit passengers.
Thanks everyone!
