Requirements for traveling to Europe from Mexico, the United States, and Costa Rica

Traveling to Europe is still easy for passports from the Americas, but 2025 and 2026 brought major changes at the borders. In this guide we explain the requirements to travel to Europe in 2026 if you hold a passport from Mexico, the United States, Puerto Rico or Costa Rica: the 90-day rule, the new EES, where the ETIAS really stands, what your passport needs and what changes if your trip includes England or Scotland. At the end you'll find a checklist to review everything before you leave.

Do I need a visa to travel to Europe?

For tourism, no. Mexico, the United States and Costa Rica are on the list of countries whose citizens can enter the Schengen Area without a visa for short stays. That includes vacations, visits to family or friends, and group trips like ours.

Not needing a visa doesn't mean there's nothing to check. Your passport has to meet certain conditions, there's a new biometric registration at the border and, if your trip includes the UK, other rules apply. Let's take it one step at a time.

What the Schengen Area is

The Schengen Area is a group of European countries that have removed border controls between them. In practice, you go through immigration when you enter the first Schengen country and, from there, you can move among the others as if they were a single territory, without showing your passport again at each internal border.

The countries on our trips

The Schengen Area includes most European Union countries, such as Czechia, Austria, Hungary and Italy, plus Switzerland, Norway and Iceland. This means that on our Christmas Markets trip (Czechia, Austria and Hungary) and on the Italy and Switzerland trip with the Bernina Express, you go through a single immigration check when entering the Schengen Area, even though you cross several countries.

Who is not part of it

The United Kingdom and Ireland are not part of the Schengen Area and have their own rules. That's why a trip that combines, for example, London and Paris involves two different entry systems. Further down we explain what happens with the UK.

Why it matters on a multi-country trip

Having no fixed border controls between Schengen countries is a big advantage for a multi-city group trip. When we take the train from Prague to Vienna and from Vienna to Budapest, we cross from Czechia into Austria and from Austria into Hungary without getting off the train for immigration. Even so, always keep your passport with you and don't pack it in your large suitcase: authorities can carry out spot checks, and it's your ID throughout the trip. You'll also need it to check in at every hotel.

The 90/180-day rule

You can stay in the Schengen countries as a whole for a maximum of 90 days within any 180-day period. The days add up across all countries: it's not 90 days per country. For a two- or three-week vacation, you have nothing to worry about.

How the days are counted

The rule works like a "rolling window": on any date you are in Europe, they look back at the previous 180 days and add up all the days you spent inside the Schengen Area. That total can't exceed 90.

A practical example

Imagine you travel with us to the Christmas markets, December 2–12. That trip uses up only a few days of your 90-day allowance. If you come back to Italy for two weeks the following spring, you are still far from the limit. The rule only matters for people who spend long periods in Europe or string several trips together.

If you travel several times a year

If you travel to Europe often, keep a simple record of your entry and exit dates. With the new EES system, authorities record every entry and exit digitally, so the count of your days is automatic and accurate. If you're ever unsure, the European Commission provides official information on short stays on its websites.

Requirements by passport

What determines your requirements is the passport you travel on, not your country of residence. These are the most common scenarios among our travelers.

If you travel on a Mexican passport

You don't need a visa for tourism in the Schengen Area. Check that your passport meets the validity and issue-date conditions we explain below, and if it's about to expire, renew it well before you buy your tickets. If your trip includes the UK, you also need the UK ETA. Keep in mind that, during high-demand seasons, getting an appointment to apply for or renew a passport can take a while, so don't leave it for the last few weeks.

If you travel on a US passport (including Puerto Rico)

Travelers from Puerto Rico use a US passport, so the rules are exactly the same: no visa for tourism for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Keep in mind that to travel to Europe you always need a passport; an ID card is not enough.

If you travel on a Costa Rican passport

Costa Rica is also on the list of countries exempt from a visa for short stays in Schengen. The same passport conditions apply, along with EES registration at the border and, for the UK, the ETA.

If you have another nationality

If you live in Mexico, the United States or Costa Rica but your passport is from another country, the requirements may be different. In that case, check the official information for your nationality or write to us before booking and we'll guide you. If you have two passports, tell us before booking and we'll review with you which one is best to use.

The EES: fingerprints and photo at the border

The Entry/Exit System (EES) began rolling out on October 12, 2025 and has been running at all Schengen external borders since April 10, 2026. It replaces the passport stamp with a digital record.

What it is and what it's for

In the past, the immigration officer stamped the date in your passport when you entered and left. With the EES, that data is stored in an electronic system along with your biometric data. It's used to check the 90-day rule automatically and to make borders more secure. For you, as a tourist, there's no advance paperwork: you don't have to fill out anything online before you travel.

Your first entry, step by step

1. You arrive at immigration in the first Schengen country of your trip (for example, the airport where you have your layover).
2. You hand over your passport, as always.
3. They take your fingerprints and a photo at the same checkpoint.
4. The officer may ask you the usual questions about your trip and ask for a document.
5. Your entry is recorded in the system, with no stamp in your passport.

Subsequent entries

• On your first entry they take your fingerprints and a photo.
• On subsequent entries, the system already recognizes you and the check is faster, even at automated gates.
• Allow extra time at immigration: long lines have been reported during peak seasons.

So if you have a connection at a European airport, avoid layovers that are too short: immigration can take longer than it used to.

A detail that reassures many travelers: if your passport comes back without a stamp, it's not a mistake. With the EES, your entry is recorded in the system, not on a page of your passport.

The ETIAS: where it really stands

The ETIAS is an electronic travel authorization that the European Union will require of visa-exempt travelers, similar to the US ESTA. It has been postponed several times and, as of October 2026, it is not in force and has no official start date.

What the ETIAS is

It's an online permit that, once it takes effect, citizens of countries that currently enter Schengen without a visa, such as Mexico, the United States and Costa Rica, will have to request before traveling. It won't be a visa: it will be a prior authorization linked to your passport.

Where it stands as of October 2026

• Today you don't need an ETIAS to travel to Europe.
• The previous goal of launching it in the last quarter of 2026 was withdrawn and, as of this guide's publication, no date has been announced.
• According to European Commission information reported by SchengenVisaInfo, the start date will be announced several months in advance.

How much it will cost and how the transition will work

Once it starts, it is expected to cost 20 euros (free for under-18s and over-70s), to be valid for three years or until your passport expires, and to have a transition period. According to the regulation cited by SchengenVisaInfo and Schengen Traveler, there will be an initial six-month period during which the ETIAS will be optional, followed by a grace period before it becomes mandatory for everyone.

Beware of websites that charge for it

• Be wary of websites that charge you for it: applications are not being accepted yet.
• Once it starts, apply only on the official European Union website.
• If a page asks you to pay for an "ETIAS" today, it's not official.

If your trip is in 2027

If you're thinking about a trip in 2027, such as our Christmas Markets departure from December 3 to 12, 2027, the logical question is whether you'll need an ETIAS by then. The honest answer is that nobody knows today: there's no official date. What we do know is that the European Union will announce the start several months in advance and that, according to the regulation, there will be a transition period during which it will be optional. In the meantime, the best thing you can do is not pay anything to unofficial websites and check the official European Union website a few weeks before you travel. If you travel with us, we'll let you know if anything changes before your departure.

EES and ETIAS: they are not the same

Since the two names appear together in the news, it's easy to confuse them. This table sums up the difference:

Passport requirements

• Valid for at least three months after the date you plan to leave the Schengen Area.
• Issued within the last ten years.
• With at least two blank pages.

The three months of validity, with an example

The count starts from the day you leave Europe, not from when you arrive. If you return on December 11, 2026, your passport must be valid at least until March 11, 2027. If it expires sooner, renew it before you travel. A practical tip: check the date before you buy your tickets, not after.

Issued within the last ten years

This requirement surprises a lot of people. Some passports have long validity periods or were extended, and even if they're still "valid," if they were issued more than ten years ago they don't meet the rule. Look at the issue date, not just the expiration date.

Blank pages and good condition

Make sure you have at least two blank pages and that your passport is in good condition: no loose, wet or damaged pages. A worn-out document can cause you problems at any checkpoint.

What immigration may ask you for

At the entry checkpoint, the officer may ask you questions about your trip and ask for documents showing that you're a tourist. They don't always do it, but it's a good idea to have them handy:

• Return ticket or ticket out of Schengen.
• Accommodation bookings or a letter of invitation.
• Sufficient funds for your stay (cards, cash or bank statements).
• Travel insurance: not mandatory for visa-exempt travelers, but highly recommended.

How to carry your documents

Keep a digital copy on your phone and a printed one in your carry-on: your itinerary, hotel bookings, return ticket and insurance policy. Answer calmly and truthfully: if you're on vacation, say you're on vacation and how many days you're staying. On our group trips you receive a travel manual with the itinerary and hotel details, which is exactly what you need for this.

Travel insurance: recommended, and mandatory in our groups

For those entering Schengen without a visa, travel insurance is not an entry requirement. Even so, it's highly recommended: medical care in Europe can be very expensive for a tourist, and an accident, illness or cancellation can turn into a huge expense. On our group trips insurance is mandatory and we get a quote for you, so the whole group travels protected. You can factor it into your budget with our guide to how much it costs to travel to Europe.

When comparing policies, pay special attention to three things: that it covers medical expenses with a sufficient amount for every day you'll be away, that it includes 24-hour assistance in Spanish, and that it covers situations such as trip cancellation or lost luggage. Always carry the assistance number and a copy of the policy with you, on your phone and on paper.

What about the United Kingdom?

If your trip includes England or Scotland, remember that the UK is not part of Schengen. It requires its own electronic travel authorization (ETA) for tourists from Mexico, the United States and Costa Rica, which you apply for on the official UK government website before traveling.

How to apply for the UK ETA

According to the official UK government website (GOV.UK), you apply for the ETA online or with the official UK ETA app; it costs 20 pounds and is valid for two years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. You normally get a reply by email within a day, although it can take up to three business days. Apply only on the official website and in good time: don't leave it for the night before your flight.

Trips that combine the UK and Schengen

If your route combines the UK with Schengen countries, you need to comply with both systems: the ETA to enter the UK and the Schengen rules (passport, EES and the 90-day rule) for the rest. This is the case for travelers who join our themed trip Live the Magic, visiting the Harry Potter locations in England and Scotland, and then want to continue on the continent.

Requirements for each Viajeterapia trip in Europe

To make it clear for the trip you're interested in, here's the summary. In every case, check your passport's validity and verify the official information before you travel.

In practice, the three trips on the continent share the same rules: you enter the Schengen Area only once, go through EES registration on your first entry and then move between countries without new fixed immigration checks. On the Italy and Switzerland trip, for example, the Bernina Express crosses from one country to the other through the Alps and, since Switzerland is also part of Schengen, nothing changes for your documents, even though Switzerland is not part of the European Union and uses its own currency.

Live the Magic is the different case: since it's a trip through the UK, the key requirement is the UK ETA, and your fingerprints won't be taken for the EES unless your route also goes through a Schengen country.

You can see the details of each departure in group trips to Europe, on the Italy and Switzerland group trip with the Bernina Express and on the Christmas Markets trip to Prague, Vienna and Budapest.

When to complete each step

The requirements for Europe are simple, but some take time. This is the order we recommend:

1. Before booking: check your passport's expiration date and issue date. If it doesn't qualify, start the renewal.
2. When booking: confirm which passport you'll travel on and use exactly the same name on your tickets.
3. A few weeks before: buy your travel insurance and, if you're going to the UK, apply for the ETA on the official website.
4. In the days before: check again for any ETIAS news on the official European Union website, and prepare copies of your documents.
5. On the day of your flight: get to the airport early and allow extra minutes at immigration because of the EES.

Common mistakes when traveling to Europe

• Paying for an ETIAS that doesn't exist yet. Applications are not being accepted today: any charge comes from an unofficial website.
• Looking only at the passport's expiration date. The issue date counts too: it must be within the last ten years.
• Counting validity from your arrival. The three months are counted from the date you leave the Schengen Area.
• Thinking the 90 days are per country. They add up across all Schengen countries.
• Forgetting that the UK is not part of Schengen. For England and Scotland you need the ETA.
• Layovers that are too short. With the EES, your first entry can take longer; leave a buffer between flights.
• Traveling without insurance. It's not an entry requirement, but an unexpected medical issue without insurance can be extremely expensive.
• Relying on outdated information. Many pages still announce ETIAS dates that have already passed. Always check when what you're reading was last updated.
• Packing your passport in your checked bag. You need it at immigration, at the hotel and sometimes at spot checks: always keep it with you.

What to expect when you arrive at the airport

Your first contact with Europe will be immigration at the first Schengen airport on your route. If you fly with a layover in Madrid, Paris, Frankfurt or Amsterdam, for example, that's where you'll go through immigration, and then you'll take your connecting flight without another passport check.

Have your passport handy and your itinerary on your phone or printed out. Be ready to give your fingerprints and photo for the EES and to answer simple questions: how many days you're staying, which cities you'll visit and where you're staying. After that, you collect your luggage (if you have a checked bag) and head out to the arrivals area.

You won't have to figure anything out on your own.— Viajeterapia

When leaving Europe

Remember that the EES is an entry and exit system: at the end of your trip, at the airport where you leave the Schengen Area, you also go through immigration, where your exit is recorded. Since your data was already stored on your first entry, this step is usually faster, but there can be lines in high season. Get to the airport early and don't leave your duty-free shopping for the last minute.

On our group trips, before issuing your tickets we tell you exactly what you need based on your passport, and the trip includes airport–hotel transfers, so once you're through immigration you don't have to think about how to get there. If you're worried about the safety of traveling with strangers, we recommend reading whether it's safe to travel on an organized group trip.

We were born so that no one who dreams of seeing the world stays home for lack of someone to go with.— Catalina Quenaya, founder of Viajeterapia

Checklist before traveling to Europe

Once your paperwork is clear, work out how much it costs to travel to Europe, choose the best time to travel to Europe or take a look at our trip to the Christmas markets of Prague, Vienna and Budapest. If you're traveling in December, don't miss our list of what to pack for the Christmas markets, and for internet and payments abroad, our eSIM and Global66 card guide.

In summary

If you hold a passport from Mexico, the United States (including Puerto Rico) or Costa Rica, traveling to Europe as a tourist is still simple: you don't need a visa for the Schengen Area and you can stay up to 90 days within any 180-day period. What has changed is the border: since April 10, 2026 the EES records your fingerprints and photo on your first entry. The ETIAS, on the other hand, is not yet in force and has no official date: don't pay for it.

Check that your passport is valid for at least three months after you leave and was issued within the last ten years, buy travel insurance and, if you're going to England or Scotland, apply for the UK ETA. And if you have any questions, write to us: we'll help you review your case before you book.

Compared with other destinations, the paperwork for Europe is minimal and clear. What matters is doing it in order and in good time, and not getting carried away by outdated information or by websites that charge for permits that don't exist yet. With your passport in order and these rules clear, the only thing left to decide is which part of Europe you want to visit first.

Frequently asked questions about Europe travel requirements

Sources consulted