What You’ll Need

A trip overseas can go smoothly if you are prepared with all the right information and have packed properly. Let’s break this down into several categories.

When you leave a country, customs will asked you to declare certain goods purchased while in the country and pay duty on the amount exceeding that country’s allowance. The allowance level and circumstances on which products are purchased can of vary from country to country. EU countries are all the same.There are no limits on what you can buy and take with you when you travel between EU countries, as long as it is for personal use and not for resale.

You will need a passport which you can easily acquire at a US Post Office. Not all post offices have passport counters so make sure you confirm your post office does before you go.

You will need a certificate of birth and another government form of picture ID. Take extra ID just in case they ask for proof of residence. They’ll take your picture there so be prepared to look good.

Allow yourself several months before your trip so you will have your passport in time.

If you currently have a passport it typically needs to be valid 3 months beyond the time of your stay. There are a few exceptions with some countries as long as it isn’t expired upon entry it can expire during the time of your stay.

Currently at this time almost all countries allow entry with a passport and with no requirement of  a tourist visa. If you plan to stay in a country for more than 90 days you will then need to get a tourist visa. However starting in 2022 US citizens and many other non-EU or citizens of Schengen members countries will need a ETIAS Visa for travel in and out of these countries.

U.S. citizens will be required to complete and submit an online ➾ ETIAS application. The ETIAS online visa waiver will be needed to enter and travel to and around the Schengen Area. The ETIAS travel authorization will be a multiple entry authorization valid for 3 years and will grant its holder a stay of up to 90 days in Europe.

The ETIAS visa waiver will be valid to enter countries that are part of the Schengen Area but not the EU, which means, that U.S. citizens will be able to travel to these countries without the need for any additional travel documents or permissions.

The European Travel Information and Authorization System or ETIAS visa waiver will be a travel requirement to visit Europe starting from the end of 2022. U.S. citizens who wish to travel to and around Europe will have to apply online for an ETIAS visa waiver.

American citizens will be able to obtain the ETIAS travel authorization by completing the online form with their personal information and by answering security questions. Americans will also need to provide the Member State of intended first entry, and they must enter the Schengen Area through that country.

In almost every instance you are restricted to a stay no longer than 90 days. Your passport must be valid at least 90 days after you have entered the country.

You may apply for them through their embassy links below.
 ➾ US State Department 
➾ Belarus     
➾ Russian Federation     
➾  Turkey
For currency restrictions for both entering and departing a country, current information is always available at the
➾ U.S. Department of State web site.

The US Department of State offers a Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) for free. It allows travelers abroad to enroll their trip with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

Benefits are;

• Receive important information from the Embassy about safety conditions in your destination country, helping you make informed decisions about your travel plans.
• Help the U.S. Embassy contact you in an emergency, whether natural disaster, civil unrest, or family emergency.
• Help family and friends get in touch with you in an emergency.

Travel Insurance can cover most of your exposure to financial loss when things get cancelled, if you have a sudden illness not allowing you to complete your trip, travel-companies bankruptcies, etc. especially if you have pre-paid for most.

Should you get Travel Insurance…

Why would you need insurance? As with anything there are no guarantees and there is always a risk something can go wrong.

There are many reasons to get travel insurance but, will you ever use it? Have you had to use car insurance, homeowners, fire, health and even life insurance. That’s a questions everyone ask’s and guess what…no simple answer.

• A flight is or hotel room is cancelled.
• A company you have contracted with goes out of business after you have pre-paid for the service.
• Your luggage or other property is lost.
• Your evacuated out of an area because of a bad weather, terrorism or sudden conflict.
• A medical emergency
• A personal interruption that forces you to cancel part of your trip.
• A car or other accident that creates liability.

Some people think the risk is minimal do not feel the money is well spent and others will pay just to have peace of mind. It can also depend upon your personal circumstances, have you been dealing with personal issues or a family member in poor health lately that could interrupt your trip? You should first check with your insurance carrier and see if you are covered for any situations. Insurance companies are regulated by each state and coverage varies from Maine to Hawaii. Some will cover cost when you directly purchase the services but, not if it is purchased by a travel agent so coverage may vary from state to state.  Not all companies are licensed to do business in every state so make sure your company is licensed in your state otherwise you could have difficulty getting a claim.

• Will your home owners or renters policy cover any loss of property?
• You can buy travelers insurance  for your flight from most airlines when you book your ticket.
• Does your medical insurance cover international use?
• Chances are your car insurance does not cover you abroad.
  • Temporary coverage is available just for the duration of your stay in Europe. Some credit card companies offer a small charge for your next several rentals when you use their card for the rental fee. You can also buy a Collision Damage Waiver of insurance from your car rental company. It will only be applicable for that rental period contract.

Many frequent travelers have never had travelers insurance and have never had to use it. However, there is always that slight chance an emergency arises and then we are looking at some unwanted financial costs. Evaluate your risks, what countries are you visiting and what areas? Is there political unrest, are these usually safe areas to travel in. What activities will you be doing? Accidents could result from hiking in the mountains, skiing, biking and your medical coverage will not be acceptable in another country.

Emergencies like, hotel or plane cancellations that could result in alternate plans and more money. Emergency evacuations, lost baggage, vehicle accidents, health issues that require treatment or hospitalization.

Should you have an elderly family member with serious health issues you may want to consider travel insurance. Should your trip be interrupted by a phone call from home that requires your presence back home immediately. You’ll need to cancel existing reservations you have already paid for and assume additional exchanging fees for re-booking.

Travel Insurance usually breaks down into two components:

• Basic Trip Cancellation Plans… These will cover lost baggage, reimbursements if you miss a connection or refunds for becoming ill or sick.
• Comprehensive Trip Plans…Coverage of those covered on a basic plan as well as medical or dental emergencies, disaster evacuations and even accidental death. These can be looked at as both a travel and medical plan rolled into one.

Cost can run around 5% to 10% of your initial trip cost. If your expenses before traveling are $5,000 your insurance premium could range from $250. to $500. There are many plans with optional coverage for different situations so shop carefully and make sure you are covered for only the things you will be doing.

For an additional cost many airlines offer trip protection when you book your ticket. EU countries require airlines to refund customers on delays and cancellations. See our ➾ Airline page for more on passenger rights. Many credit cards offer coverage when you use their card for purchases. See if your cards offer protection.

The following is a list of insurance providers. As with regular travel insurance policies vary from one company to another. Some policies may cover regular coverage for flight cancellations, etc. and health care. Read and compare all policies carefully to make sure you have the coverage you need so you can travel with confidence.