I know it has been a somewhat controversial news in the US. What do you think?

25 comments

  1. I’d rate that news “nothing-burger/10”: The US basically does this to every visitor (the ESTA system), so in a way it’s kind of hypocritical to complain when another country (or union of countries) does it to us.

    Heck, we don’t even allow passengers to *transit* airports (travel between two other countries with layover in US) without an ESTA or visa, even if they don’t leave the airport.

  2. If there isn’t some reciprocity now, I’d expect it soon.

    Europe has the right to tighten security on their borders, and allow/disallow whoever they want.

  3. First I’ve heard of it, as I don’t travel to Europe. I’ll give it a big ole, “meh”

  5. I don’t think this was controversial at all. Nations have the right to do as they choose, pretty sure we do this or similar with most nations ourselves

  6. >I know it has been a somewhat controversial news in the US

    It certainly made the news, because it’s important to get the word out that this process will soon be required for travelers to Europe, but I wouldn’t exactly call it controversial. It’s the exact same thing that we require of all non-citizens who fly to the US. I’m glad our system exists, and I have no problem with the EU requiring the same thing.

  7. Most people aren’t mad/don’t care. Trump just wants more attention.

  8. I haven’t heard anyone mention it in more than passing outside of reddit. I don’t think the average American cares. Yall can set your rules for border crossing.

    I always check what our state department says about a country before I travel abroad because they list visas you might need and vaccines you should get/medicine you should carry anyway. I haven’t been to Europe much yet so this won’t be a routine change for me.

  9. We’ve required an ESTA for a few years, it was pretty easy to predict this would eventually happen.

    I don’t really care. Its a few dollars.

  10. Fine for now, but if they expand the requirements in the future it may preclude my travelling to Europe.

    Not sure it’s the wisest choice given the demand for American tourists post-COVID, but they can do what they want.

  11. I don’t think about it at all. I’ve been to Europe 3 times in my life and have no plans to return anytime soon, but I can’t imagine it’ll create that much difficulty for the average traveler.

  12. I wish we didn’t have to but we do it to them. I would prefer neither have to and we can further strengthen our ties together.

  13. I’m not a fan of how the world is slowly becoming less free to travel. There are all kinds of places in the world I want to visit, and it seems like every year some of them become more difficult.

    That being said, this seems like a $30 extra fee and nothing more. I’m not a fan of extra fees either, but I don’t see this as any kind of real obstacle.

  14. I don’t really care nor am I particularly informed on this. If it’s a bunch of extra work I just won’t vacation in Europe anymore, there are plenty of nice places in the world I want to visit that are not in the EU anyways.

  15. I travel to the EU two or three times a year. It isn’t a big bother or concern to me.

  16. It’s really not controversial news here. It was actually barely on our news at all and I don’t think anyone here cares. I certainly haven’t heard anyone talking about it.

    You have to understand that for the vast majority of Americans, travel to Europe is a once-in-lifetime thing because it’s so far to travel and so expensive for them. It’s more like you guys flying to Australia or something.

    So, if someone told you, “Hey, visa requirements for EU travelers to Australia have changed,” you probably wouldn’t think about it much because how exactly does that affect your life? Does that make sense?

    Personally, I think reciprocity makes sense. However, the EU also has unequal arrangements with other countries too. For example, Japanese people now have to get ETIAS authorization, but Japan does not have a requirement for EU travelers.

    I don’t know what determines that

  19. Kinda sucks, but we do the same to Europeans coming here, so it’s not unreasonable. I just wish the solution would be that we both lower barriers to entry rather than raise them equally high.

  20. > I know it has been a somewhat controversial news in the US

    Number of friends of mine who travel and find this controversial: zero.

    Obviously anyone who doesn’t travel to Europe wouldn’t care either way.

    I’m planning a transatlantic trip next year and I couldn’t care less about ETIAS. Not a big deal 🙂

  22. I think most Americans don’t care, as most Americans haven’t planned on going to Europe anyways. I know that is my feeling at least.

    For me, Europe is far away and expensive to travel to, not to mention that anywhere there worth visiting would take more time to fully enjoy than I would be able to have for vacation time.

    Plus, there are plenty of cool things on my own continent that I have yet to explore!

  23. Most people don’t probably care, just oh ok and back to their day lol

    We literally have the same thing

  24. I think it’s stupid. I also think that the comparable US ESTA system is stupid. The last thing the world needs is more busywork to travel.

  25. Both ESTA and ETIAS need to be abolished.

    We have visa free travel with friendly nations.

    I’m already paying for the plane ticket, the passport, the hassle of going through security. I just paid for TSA Precheck last weekend. I’d do Global Entry if the wait time wasn’t 3-6 months right now.

    So … why the hell do I need *another* barrier?

    Sure – I know it’s $8, it takes 30 seconds to fill out and lasts 3 years. But it isn’t the time nor the cost. All I want to do is give money to your tourism industries. Both of our governments already verified that I’m a safe traveler by scanning my documents. Why does it have to be more complicated now? We should be simplifying!

    This can affect up to a billion and a half people. And the rollout is super quick. How many people are going to get fucked in 2024, stranded at the airports – because they’re unfamiliar the new rules? Especially older or inexperienced travelers? Quite the BS if you’re turned away at the gates after driving 5 hours to the nearest international airport.

    Also, it can take up to 3 days to process (they promise an hour, but you know…). What if you need to travel immediately? A family member or friend that needs support abroad? A funeral?

    I’m not thrilled about this.

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