Before You Go
Most visitors to Europe need no visa at all for a holiday. Since April 2026, though, you do get fingerprinted at the border — here's what to prepare.
US / UK / Canada / Australia
Visa-free
Japan / South Korea / Singapore
Visa-free
Taiwan / Hong Kong / Macao
Visa-free
Maximum stay
90 days in any 180-day period
EES is live. The EU Entry/Exit System has been fully operational since 10 April 2026. Your first crossing registers a facial image and all ten fingerprints; passports are no longer stamped. Peak-season queues at large airports have run to several hours, so leave real margin on connections.
ETIAS has not launched. The timeline is still unsettled — you don't need one and can't apply yet. Any site offering to get you an ETIAS today is a scam.
Trip prep guides
Entry rules, packing and luggage security, in the order you need them.
Entering the Schengen Area in 2026: EES Biometrics, ETIAS Status and What Border Officers Ask
US, UK, Canadian, Australian and most other visa-exempt travellers don't need a Schengen visa — but since April 2026 you do get fingerprinted at the border. How the 90/180 rule works, how long EES queues really are, where ETIAS actually stands, and what to have ready.
What to Pack for Europe 2026: Plug Adapters, SIM Cards, and What to Leave at Home
Europe is not one plug standard — the UK and the continent are entirely incompatible. Adapters, charging kit, European SIMs and eSIMs, documents and insurance, clothes and shoes, plus the things that are pure dead weight.
Luggage Theft on European Trains 2026: AirTags, Locks, and Where to Put Your Bag
Large suitcases don't fit in the overhead rack, so they end up by the doors where you can't see them. When thieves actually strike, how to set up an AirTag, what a TSA lock does and doesn't prevent, and the three things to do if a bag goes missing.
Once entry is sorted, see Itineraries to decide which cities to visit and how long each needs.