If you’re traveling to Europe, sooner or later you’ll come across the term “Schengen.” Maybe you’ve seen it planning, and you’re wondering what it means for your trip. If not, then you’ll surely notice it upon arriving in most European airports, where “Schengen” signs direct some travelers to a different (and usually faster-moving) line for passport control.

A new and unfamiliar term, as you still wonder whether to tip or what electrical adapters to bring. Some hearty travelers chalk up all a bit of uncertainty and things to learn as part of the adventure. For others, it can add stress and anxiety that detracts from the joy of travel. If that second group sounds like you, fear not, we’ve got everything you need to know.

What Is the Schengen Visa?

Along with the common currency, the ability for people to travel freely between countries is one of the most visible aspects of the integration at the heart of the European Union (EU). Five countries signed the first agreement in 1995 in a town called Schengen (hence the name). Today, the agreement includes almost all the countries in the EU plus a few others, commonly called “Schengen Countries” or the “Schengen Area.”

The only EU states outside of the Schengen Area are Ireland, Cyprus, Belgium, and Romania. Because Ireland shares a Common Travel Area with the United Kingdom (which remained outside of the Schengen Agreement even before leaving the EU), it has opted out of the arrangement. The other three are not yet part of the Schengen Area, although Romania and Bulgaria will join for air and sea travel in March 2024, with negotiations continuing over their land borders. Meanwhile, Norway, Iceland, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein, while not EU members, are part of the Schengen Area. If all that sounds confusing, there’s an interactive map to help clear things up.

This framework enables EU citizens to travel from country to country without border checks, just as Americans cross state lines. It also covers many non-EU nationals visiting as tourists, exchange students, or for business. As part of the agreement, participating states maintain controls at their external borders and their international airports. These states also agree to a common visa policy, often called the “Schengen visa.” The Schengen visa allows individuals to travel through participating countries, just like EU citizens, for up to 90 days within any 180-day period.

Who Needs a Schengen Visa?

Whether you need a visa to visit Schengen countries primarily depends on your country of citizenship or residency. Citizens of 61 countries, including the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Australia, Japan, and most of Latin America, don’t need one. You’ll still need your passport, and the same 90-day limit in any 180 days applies. You should also ensure that you have your passport with you as you travel between countries because authorities can still conduct police checks, and you’ll need to be able to prove you’re in Europe legally.

Citizens of other countries need a visa to visit and, in some cases, even to transit through an international airport in the Schengen Area. They must apply through the consulate of the Schengen country where they’ll spend the most time or the one they’ll visit first. The European Commission recommends applying at least 15 days before travel, though 30 to 60 days in advance would be a good idea in case the consulate requests additional information.

The European Travel Information and Authorization System

You may also have read or heard about the European Travel Information and Authorization System, or ETIAS, scheduled for implementation in 2025. With an acronym like that, it might strike some potential travelers as every bit as cryptic as “Schengen” and maybe even more intimidating. Fortunately, for most people, ETIAS only entails one extra step and a relatively small expense.

Much like the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) used by the U.S., ETIAS is a pre-authorization electronically linked to your passport and not a visa. It involves a background check that enables authorities to spot potential security risks (though they’ll only look for serious crimes, so you don’t need to worry about that speeding ticket). At the same time, officials assert that ESTA will streamline your experience with passport control.

Unlike the more robust visa application process, you only need to apply 96 hours before your travel date, and instead of contacting a consulate, you use a website or mobile app. An application fee of about $7 applies (depending on the exchange rate). Travelers younger than 18 or older than 70 are exempt. Fortunately, the authorization lasts for three years or the expiration date of your passport, so you won’t have to apply for every trip you take.

Don’t let terms like Schengen and ETIAS worry you or deter you from planning your European vacation. If you’re reading this, then you probably don’t need to apply for a Schengen visa, travel from country to country, and enjoy all that Europe has to offer. Now, you can get back to figuring out which electrical adapters to pack!

This article originally appeared at wealthofgeeks.com

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Everything You Need to Know about the Schengen Visa