Europe for US travellers: ETIAS explained, transatlantic flights, and avoiding the 3% forex charge
US passport holders enter Europe visa-free — the only new requirement is ETIAS (€7, apply online, valid 3 years), which launched in 2025. Transatlantic fares from US East Coast hubs average $600-800 return economy. Standard US bank cards charge 3% on every euro purchase — Charles Schwab Debit and Chase Sapphire Reserve eliminate this entirely.
Visa requirements
US passport holders enter the Schengen area visa-free for 90 days in any 180-day period. ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) is required — apply online at travel-europe.europa.eu, fee €7 (free under 18 and over 70), usually approved within minutes to 96 hours, valid 3 years. The 90-day Schengen limit covers all 27 Schengen member states combined, not per country.
Documents required
- ✓Valid US passport (6+ months validity)
- ✓ETIAS authorisation (apply at travel-europe.europa.eu)
Flights from United States to Europe (Schengen)
Money, cards & forex fees
Best overall US card for Europe — zero forex, full ATM reimbursement
Zero forex credit card + travel insurance for European hotels and flights
Miles earning on EUR spending — no foreign transaction fee
Multi-currency spending across European countries that use non-EUR currencies (CHF, SEK, NOK, DKK)
ATMs in Europe (Schengen)
Best ATMs: Use ATMs attached to local banks: BNP Paribas, Deutsche Bank, ING, Crédit Agricole, Rabobank. Avoid Euronet ATMs (the standalone machines in tourist areas, airports, train stations) — they add 3–5% markup and poor exchange rates on top of their own fees.
Typical surcharge: €2–5 at local bank ATMs; €5–10 at Euronet standalone ATMs — avoid Euronet
Withdrawal tip: Most of Europe (especially cities) is card-friendly — Visa/Mastercard contactless accepted almost everywhere. Keep €50–100 cash for markets, smaller restaurants, and rural areas. Some restaurants in Italy and Greece still prefer cash.
Top cities in Europe (Schengen)
Paris
The world's most visited city — the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Notre-Dame Cathedral (now restored), Montmartre, and some of the world's finest restaurants. Paris demands at least 4–5 days and rewards slow exploration. The RER and Métro connect every arrondissement. Museum queues are long; pre-book everything.
Amsterdam
A city of canals, world-class museums, and cycling culture. The Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum are among Europe's finest. The Anne Frank House requires timed tickets booked weeks ahead. Amsterdam's compact size makes it ideal for walking or cycling. Vibrant nightlife and exceptional food scene.
Rome
Two thousand years of history in a single walkable city. The Colosseum, Roman Forum, Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, Trevi Fountain, and Pantheon are all within reasonable distance. Rome rewards those who get lost in its neighbourhoods — Trastevere and Pigneto offer the most authentic dining. Book Vatican tickets at least 2 weeks ahead.
Barcelona
Gaudí's architectural masterpieces define Barcelona — Sagrada Família (still being completed after 140+ years), Park Güell, Casa Batlló, and La Pedrera make it unlike any other European city. The Gothic Quarter, La Boqueria market, and Barceloneta beach complete the picture. Famously late dining culture — restaurants don't fill until 9–10pm.
Berlin
Europe's most fascinating city for 20th-century history — the Brandenburg Gate, Berlin Wall Memorial, Holocaust Memorial, and Checkpoint Charlie tell the story no textbook can. Berlin is also Europe's club capital and has a thriving contemporary art and tech scene. Comparatively affordable by Western European standards. Museum Island is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
ETIAS for American travellers: what it is and how to get it
ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) is the EU's equivalent of the US's own ESTA — an online pre-travel authorisation, not a visa. It does not guarantee entry but is a pre-screening requirement. Apply at travel-europe.europa.eu. The fee is €7 (approximately $8). Approval typically comes within minutes to a few hours — 96 hours in rare cases. ETIAS is linked to your passport and valid for 3 years or until your passport expires. You apply once and can make multiple trips to Europe without reapplying. Airlines check ETIAS at check-in — apply before you book accommodation, not the night before your flight.
The 3% forex problem on standard US bank cards in Europe
Bank of America, Chase basic debit, Wells Fargo, and most standard US bank cards charge a 3% foreign transaction fee on every non-USD purchase. On a $3,000 European trip, that's $90 in hidden fees. The fix is straightforward: Charles Schwab Investor Checking account comes with a Visa debit that charges zero forex and reimburses 100% of ATM fees worldwide — including Eurozone ATMs that charge €2-5 per withdrawal. For credit card users, Chase Sapphire Reserve and Capital One Venture X both charge zero forex fees. Use these as your primary cards in Europe. Keep a backup Visa or Mastercard in case merchants don't accept Amex.
On-arrival tips
- 1ETIAS must be obtained before boarding — airlines check it at check-in
- 2The 90-day Schengen clock counts across ALL Schengen countries combined — a week in Germany counts against your French allowance
- 3Get a contactless card ready — Europe is overwhelmingly contactless; Apple Pay and Google Pay work everywhere
- 4Validate train tickets before boarding in Italy and France — unstamped tickets result in fines
- 5Many European museums are free on the first Sunday of the month (Louvre, national museums in France, Italy, Spain)
Key takeaways
- ✓US passport holders enter Europe visa-free — ETIAS (€7) required, apply at travel-europe.europa.eu before travel
- ✓90-day Schengen limit covers ALL Schengen countries combined — not 90 days per country
- ✓Charles Schwab Debit: zero forex + unlimited ATM rebates — essential for Europe
- ✓Avoid Euronet standalone ATMs — use bank-attached ATMs only
- ✓Book Vatican, Colosseum, Sagrada Família skip-the-line tickets 2+ weeks ahead
- ✓EU roaming: one SIM works across all 27 EU countries
Related visa guides
Visa information is based on publicly available government sources and official embassy data. Entry requirements, fees, and procedures change frequently — always verify with the official embassy or consulate of Europe (Schengen) before travelling. ForexFee is not a legal adviser.