Tips for Non-EU Citizen Visiting Europe for the First Time
-
Is this your first time in Europe? Getting to know the continent of Europe is usually a dream come true. No wonder Europe is one of the favorite destinations for tourists for both leisure and study. The continent has some of the most popular attractions in the world – such as the Eiffel Tower of Paris, the Amalfi and Colosseum Coast in Italy, the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City, the Berlin Wall in Germany, among others.
There are some European countries that can be visited without a visa. If you did not know, the citizens from some countries currently don’t need a visa to visit the countries that come under the Schengen Area. Regardless, here are some important tips, especially to apply for Schengen Visa, for first-time visitors to Europe.
Check your eligibility
Despite the flexibility that some citizens have, there may be other factors relating to eligibility to be examined. Currently, the European Union has determined that all visitors who don’t require a Schengen visa must pass the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS). ETIAS is an electronic system that keeps an eye on all incoming people from countries that do not require a Schengen visa.
Anyway, the ideal is to take only the essentials for your first time in Europe.
The main purpose of this system is safety and, as a US citizen, it is compulsory to go through this system. To avoid any problems, visit ETIAS for Europe and check the information.
ETIAS stands for Electronic Travel Authorization System. This new system was issued by the European Commission to improve the security of the internal borders of the European Union. All US citizens who like to travel to the continent will have to register with the ETIAS system before traveling. Prior travel authorization will be required from 2021.
This author’s life has been an adventure. He has visited over 30 countries, and lived in four different states. He is a traveler at heart, but he also loves exploring the outdoors on his bicycle or hiking with his canine companion.
