It is not information at this level that Europe will begin fingerprinting People and cost them for authorization to journey.
Simply this week, the European Fee confirmed that, from October 12, the new biometric scans will begin, so should you’re heading throughout the pond this fall, be ready to take off your gloves. On high of that, from late 2026, a $21 entry charge shall be rolled out.
Based mostly in your response, we might gauge {that a} majority is not thrilled in regards to the prospect of stricter border guidelines and bolstered screening. Sadly, there’s simply no means round it, a minimum of with regards to visiting the 29 European nations which have agreed to the brand new measures.
Fortunately for these amongst us who’re cautious of over-reaching laws, there are 12 European nations that won’t be implementing entry permits on People, nor storing their biometric data:
Eire
The primary such instance is Eire: not like the UK, which has been requiring all People to get an Digital Journey Authorization as of January 2025, Eire has outright refused introducing digital entry permits up to now.
In reality, the Irish administration was staunchly against Britain’s personal ETA, given the distinctive standing of Northern Eire, part of the UK that shares an open border with the Republic of Eire.
Of their view, the totally different entry necessities when there’s no exhausting border in sight can be complicated for vacationers, and so they’re not mistaken. Whereas an ETA is obligatory for People visiting Northern Eire (and different elements of the U.Ok.), within the south of Eire, a legitimate passport suffices.
Serbia
A small nation in Southeastern Europe, Serbia has been rising quickly in recognition with People as a consequence of its decrease charges of violence, and comparatively low ranges of irregular migration in comparison with a lot of the crime-stricken West.
For sure, this has helped lovely cities like Belgrade and Novi Unhappy socially-cohesive, clear, and protected for vacationers.
On high of that, Serbia just isn’t a part of the European Union, nor the Schengen Zone, thus, they aren’t anticipated to undertake the group’s digital entry allow as soon as it launches. People will proceed being welcomed in Serbia with open arms, with their passports solely.
There’s a single rule in place, and it is fairly easy: you’ll be able to’t keep longer than 90 days at a time.
Montenegro
A coastal nation bordering the Adriatic, Montenegro is the brand new ‘Croatia’.
Whereas Croatia has absolutely swung West, and match into the EU’s mould, nonetheless, its smaller, less-famous sister is neither within the European Union, nor the Schengen Space.
People are welcome to remain in Montenegro for 90 days with out a visa, just by presenting a legitimate passport with sufficient months of validity left, and sufficient clean pages to be stamped—examine the precise journey guidelines with our new Entry Requirement Checker.
This implies you’ll be able to discover Montenegro’s beautiful coastal cities, that sometimes date again centuries, lovely turquoise bays, and luxurious mountainous inland with out worrying about extra checks.
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Montenegro’s neighboring nation, Bosnia and Herzegovina is primarily recognized for its vibrant capital metropolis, Sarajevo, the place World Warfare I infamously began, and historic riverside city of Mostar, dwelling to certainly one of Europe’s most iconic historic bridges.
Yep, the identical one you see on the function picture above. Beautiful, proper?
Happily for the bureaucracy-wary vacationers, Bosnia and Herzegovina is open to American guests with little to no restrictions: equally to Montenegro and Serbia, so long as you current a legitimate biometric passport, and you are not staying longer than 90 days, you are good to go!
North Macedonia
It appears it is the lesser-known European nations which might be on the People’ facet, in any case: up subsequent, we’ve North Macedonia, a landlocked Balkan state characterised by its quaint medieval villages, unspoiled inexperienced surroundings, and crystal-clear lakes.
In addition to Skopje, the deliciously-kitsch Macedonian capital, the nation’s coup de coeur is, with out query, Ohrid, a 2,400 12 months settlement on the shores of the idyllic Lake Ohrid, greatest recognized for its plethora of Byzantine church buildings and cobble-paved alleys.
Oh, and guess what! You need not get pre-authorization to enter, nor give your fingerprints touring to North Macedonia.
To not sound repetitive, however so long as you are not overstaying your welcome as a U.S. vacationer—in different phrases, no staying past 90 days—you should not be involved.
Albania
We’re positive you might need heard of Albania at this level? You recognize, Europe’s former hidden gem that has each seashore lover in a chokehold unexpectedly?
It has been garnering traction currently with laid-back coastal resorts like Ksamil and Dhermi, the place the seas are teal-colored, and unruffled seashores lengthen for infinite miles, and a number of conventional cities but to be spoiled by mass tourism.
Assume Berat, an Ottoman-era jewel bestriding a hill, or Gjirokaster, in-built gray stone on the foot of an imposing medieval fortress.
Earlier than you attempt to second-guess us, no, Albania will not permit you to keep 90 days as an American visa-free: no, no, no. You may get an entire 12 months as a U.S. passport holder. No e-Visas, no ETAs, no biometric screening.
It really does not get extra beneficiant than this.
Kosovo
Europe’s youngest nation, established solely in 2007, Kosovo is not precisely eager on making it tougher for foreigners to come back, particularly given how distant it will probably really feel.
You may solely attain Kosovo by flying into Pristina Worldwide Airport, which serves the nationwide capital Pristina, from choose European and Center Jap hubs, or crossing through land from close by nations, like Albania itself, North Macedonia, or Serbia.
Concerning the latter, you would possibly need to seek advice from this different article to learn in depth about Kosovo and Serbia’s years-long dispute. Let’s simply say not everybody was pleased about Kosovo declaring its independence 18 years in the past.
Geopolitics apart, Kosovo provides well-preserved medieval cities like Prizren, a thriving café tradition, significantly in Pristina, and epic mountain ranges—and you get 90 days to discover it visa-free!
Moldova
Europe’s least-visited nation, Moldova is sandwiched between Romania and Ukraine, and the continued battle within the latter has actually not helped its case.
That’s a misjudgment on the a part of most, as Moldova stays largely protected to go to, however then once more, it’s not just like the Soviet heritage fans and oenophiles are mad in regards to the absence of crowds.
On that be aware, Moldova has a number of the greatest wine wherever in Europe, together with one of many largest underground cellars on this planet, stretching for over 155 miles! In case you’re a wine lover, be sure you pay it a go to, solely 11-or-so miles outdoors Chisinău.
As customary for non-Schengen, non-EU states, Moldova additionally welcomes People visa-free, and fingerprinting-free for visits of below 90 days.
Ukraine
Ukraine’s at the moment at battle with its japanese neighbor, so we doubt lots of our readers can be be jetting off there subsequent, however in case you were not conscious, the nation is the truth is open for tourism and enterprise as typical.
We even went to Lviv, certainly one of its Westernmost cities, to see what the scenario on the bottom was like firsthand earlier this 12 months, and very similar to the pre-pandemic period, all that was required of us was a legitimate passport for entry.
As soon as the battle is over, Ukraine has been rebuilt, and you’re feeling assured sufficient to go to your self—and also you completely ought to.
You may be welcomed with an ETA, e-Visa, and fingerprinting-free, and issued a 90-day entry stamp to discover the Slavic heartland’s huge territory.
Turkey
Extra fashionable than ever amongst People who’re favoring low-bureaucracy locations, Turkey scored just a few further factors in recent times because it absolutely scrapped the e-Visa requirement that it used to impose on U.S. passport holders.
Now, so as to enter Turkey (or Türkiye, nonetheless you wanna name it) coming from the States, all it’s essential guarantee you have got in hand is your legitimate passport, with a minimum of six months’ validity past the date of entry, and a minimum of one clean web page for entry and exit stamps.
In keeping with different European states, Turkey permits foreigners to remain for 90 days as vacationers, and that looks like rather a lot, however belief us once we say that, from Istanbul’s minaret-dotted skyline, all the way down to Antalya’s turquoise seas and Roman ruins, you may want you had been granted longer than simply 3 months.
Armenia
Tucked away within the coronary heart of the Caucasus, Armenia is distinguished for being the primary nation to stick to Christianity, and its monastery-dotted highlands and 4th-century basilicas are a testomony to their unshakeable religion.
Aside from its staunch Christian values, there’s much more about Armenia that might pique your curiosity, from the pink-washed cityscape of Yerevan, its sprawling capital metropolis, to the luxurious, unspoiled nature, made up of alpine peaks and serene mirror-like lakes.
It might not be the best nation to get to, with most flights going through bigger European nations or the Center East, and no Transatlantic routes in provide, so we guess it is a good factor, then, that People haven’t got to leap by way of extra hoops than wanted getting there.
An American passport is sufficient so that you can breeze by way of Armenia’s borders, and they’ll normally allow you to keep for 180 days.
Georgia
The twelfth and remaining European nation to refuse to make touring tougher for People is Georgia:
Bordering Armenia, with an equally breathtaking mountainous nature, and its personal fair proportion of medieval villages nestled in deep valleys, historical fortresses overlooking meandering rivers, and a Black Sea Coast interspersed with resort cities, it is a facet of Europe most vacationers do not get to expertise.
Whether or not it is the colourful Tbilisi, a digital nomad hub within the making, Batumi, dubbed the ‘Dubai of the Caucasus’, or a kind of quaint small cities within the Kakheti area, mentioned to be the birthplace of wine, there’s lots to see in Georgia that can hold you busy for months on finish.
You recognize the place we’re going with this.
Following within the steps of Albania, Georgia permits Americans to remain a complete 12 months visa-free, just by advantage of being U.S. residents! Not one of the digital entry allow mess, nor fingerprinting, a lot much less grilling interviews on the border.
It really is without doubt one of the friendliest and most welcoming nations throughout the pond, and it’ll stick with it being so as soon as a lot of Europe has tightened its entry guidelines.
Subscribe To Our Newest Posts
Enter your electronic mail handle to subscribe to Journey Off Path’s newest breaking journey information, straight to your inbox.
Subscribe To Our Newest Posts
Enter your electronic mail handle to subscribe to Journey Off Path’s newest breaking journey information, straight to your inbox.
