Passports, Visas and Customs - the process for entering Europe and coming home again
Nothing ruins a dream vacation faster than discovering at the airport that you missed an important travel requirement. Fortunately, most of these problems are easy to avoid if you know what to expect before you leave home.
Content:
- Passports
- ETIAS & ETA
- Vaccinations
- Losing Your Passport
- Arriving in Europe
- Customs
- Returning Home
Passports
What to know about passports: You can now apply for a renewal online.
TIP: If you are having trouble taking a photo that the Passport website will accept because of the background try taking the photo using portrait mode (or any mode that blurs the background). Step away from the background about 18” or so that the blur effect will be able to separate you from the background.
- Keep a color hard copy of your passport separate from your actual passport so that it doesn’t get stolen – leaving it in your luggage might be a good option.
- Maintain an electronic version online that you can access while traveling – preferably not stored on your phone in case you lose both your passport and phone.
- Leave a color copy with someone at home that can contact the State Department on your behalf if something happens.
- A copy of your passport will expedite the replacement.
Vaccinations
Vaccine requirements vary from country to country and can change quickly. Check the requirements for each country you expect to visit. The CDC recommends several vaccines such as MMR, Hepatitis A and B etc. Vaccination for tick-borne Encephalitis is advised for anyone traveling to central or eastern Europe that may be exposed during visits to rural or forested areas.
Do Americans and Canadians need a Visa for Europe?
ETIAS is being introduced for visa-exempt travelers. Before your trip, check the current requirements and implementation date. This not a visa but rather a pre-screening tool that is obtained by completing an online form and submitting approximately 20 Euros. The approval is good for three years or until your visa expires. A valid passport is required.
TIP: apply in advance for approval to avoid any delays due to the volume of ETIAS requests.
TIP: Schengen member countries plus Switzerland, Iceland, Norway, Lichtenstein, will be implementing ETIAS. Check visa requirements for all other countries before you go (expect this list to be changing dynamically).
Do Americans and Canadians need a Visa for the UK?
No, however along with a valid passport, Americans and Canadians will have to apply for an ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) prior to leaving for your destination. This applies to Northern Ireland but not Ireland. The difference is that Northern Ireland is part of the UK whereas Ireland, or the Republic of Ireland, is independent.
What do I do if I lose my passport while traveling?
Stay calm. You can recover from this and not ruin your trip. First report the loss to the local police and obtain a police report. Then report the loss to the closest embassy. You will have to go to the embassy in person to apply for a temporary travel document. Bring your copy of your passport. NOTE: Once the passport is reported lost or stolen to the embassy even if you subsequently find it you can no longer use it for travel.
What happens at the airport when you arrive in Europe?
- Step 1: Passport Control
- Step 2: Baggage Claim
- Step 3: Customs
- Step 4: Ground Transportation
When you come off the plane, generally follow the crowd or the signs for customs, passport control etc. As you near the customs stations the signs will start separating the people based on where they are from. At this point your passport will be checked. Next, if you checked your luggage pick it up at a standard Baggage Claim area. Finally, proceed to the customs section where you will have an opportunity to declare anything before you enter the country or go through the “Nothing to Declare” exit.
Next, head for your desired ground transportation, all the while keeping an eye out for ticket machines if you need them.
TIP: Check the Country Specific Section for details on specific airports
What happens at the airport when you arrive back home?
- Step 1: Land.
- Step 2: Passport Control.
- Step 3: Pick up luggage.
- Step 4: Customs.
- Step 5: Recheck luggage.
- Step 6: go through Security.
- Step 7: proceed to your next flight.
Regardless of your final destination, you and your luggage will go through Customs at the first US based airport that you land in, even if you are making a connection and continuing onto another city. Make sure you have enough time to pass Customs and, if necessary, go to a different terminal to catch your connecting flight.
TIP: If you are checking your luggage you will have to go back to the airlines counter and recheck your bags. Then you will pass through security to get to your gate. Make sure you have enough time!
TIP: Rechecking luggage is one more reason to seriously consider taking only carry on luggage. See the section Should I check my luggage or carry it on with me for more information on how and why to do this.
Before You Leave Home Checklist
- Passport valid.
- ETA completed (if required).
- ETIAS completed (if required).
- Copies made.
- Travel insurance.
- Customs forms (if needed).
- Emergency contacts.
Additional Travel Topics
What to know about food and drink
How to read the departure board
Money ancCredit Cards
Get plugged in! Converters and Adaptors
Don't become roadkill
