Up until now, US citizens did not have to worry about travelling to the EU with an Austrian spouse, and US-Austrian dual citizens did not have to worry about which passport to use when entering the EU. This will change with the launch of ETIAS in the fourth quarter of 2026.
- People traveling with a US passport will need to apply for travel authorization online before their flight. Most approvals are expected within minutes.
- Cost: The fee is €20, but family members of EU citizens (including spouses of Austrian citizens) are typically exempt from this fee. The details of how to apply for an exemption are not clear yet.
- Validity: Once granted, it is linked to the passport and valid for three years or until the passport expires
To apply for ETIAS authorization or to find out if you are exempt, please visit https://travel-europe.europa.eu/en/etias.