Is it just our news feed or is everyone vacationing in Europe these days? It’s hard not to be envious of friends and family sending pictures from across the Atlantic. But before you begin planning your Italian summer or Parisian spring, make sure you’re up to date on the travel changes for 2024.

According to local travel agent Tiffany Ellis, Americans, Canadians, New Zealanders and Australians must have a visa for European travel starting this month, January 2024. The fee is only about $8 for adults and $4 for children under the age of 18 and lasts up to three years.

“The new process and fees are an attempt to tighten border security and keep a digital eye on travelers’ comings and goings,” says Ellis in her Travel Trends Report newsletter. “Supposedly, it will only take a few minutes to apply and for most people, they will get approved within minutes.”

These visa applications will ask questions related to personal information, travel and security details. These necessary applications should be completed online before traveling, so don’t wait.

“A travel agent can assist with the application process and ensure that all required information is provided correctly. Agents can also work to ensure that the traveler meets the eligibility requirements for the European Travel Information and Authorization System, or ETIAS,” says Ellis.

Reach out to Ellis at [email protected] to learn more about the changes and get visa-ready for 2024.