Do you need a visa to travel to Europe? Still no.

The implementation of the new European travel information and permit system has been delayed again

No visa is required (yet) for travel to Venice.

Do you need a visa to travel to Europe? Even if the authorities have been telling you for years, the answer? Still not there.

For those who don’t know, in 2019, it was announced that starting January 1, 2021, US citizens traveling to EU countries will need to obtain a visa before traveling. However, just this week, not for the first time – it was announced that the implementation of the new European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) will be delayed again.

According to the official ETIAS website, the program has been pushed back to early 2024, although it did not specify the reason for the delay.

This means that, at least temporarily, Americans with passports can travel to any of the 30 countries in the Schengen area without a visa. So if a visa application is enough to prevent you from traveling? You better plan a trip while you can. That said, when it’s up and running, all you have to do is answer a few questions, pay a seven-euro fee online, wait approximately 96 hours, and voila. In other words, it’s not that hard.

The visa in question is not the same as the electronic travel authorization that the United States requires for visitors. It’s meant to increase security by allowing authorities to screen passengers before they leave for Europe (and potentially bring in some extra cash flow). To qualify, you’ll need a passport, credit or debit card and an email account valid for the duration of your intended stay.

On the plus side, the visa will be valid for three years and for multiple entries (in multiple countries), so you won’t need to apply for every trip to the EU.

In any case, you don’t have to worry about it until 2024. Or, at this rate, maybe never.