Tag Archives: Europe

Starting in November 2023 US citizens will need to register to visit the 26 European countries that make up the Schengen Area countries which include some of the most popular destination countries of Spain, France, Italy and Germany. This is a security screening of travelers prior to travel and entering European countries. Once you get your clearance from the European Travel Information and Authorization System it will be good for three years or until your passport expires whichever comes first.

US citizens will have to register online with the European Travel Information and Authorization System, or ETIAS, set up for travelers to Europe. It’s simple and should be done only if you already have a passport. If you don’t have a valid passport get that first and then go online to the ETIAS website.

What is ETIAS

The ETIAS is an electronic travel authorization, it is not a visa. It requires the currently 63 nationalities, including the USA, to apply ahead of their journey in order to be able to board their flights or enter the Schengen area countries. The 63 eligible countries that will be required to submit an online ETIAS application can currently travel to Europe without a visa. The ETIAS for Europe is a system that will pre-screen travelers before they even board a plane. All information provided on the ETIAS application will be closely examined and checked against security databases.

What ETIAS Does

The online screening system is meant to prevent potentially dangerous individuals from entering Europe. In a statement, a spokesperson for the European Commission said the EU expects that in 95% of cases the application will result in a positive result, and the traveler will obtain immediate permission to travel to Europe for three years, or until their passport expires if that happens before three years.

How to Register With ETIAS

To register with the ETIAS system you will need a valid passport. What’s important is that the ETIAS requirements will involve having an eligible passport valid for at least 6 months upon entry to the Schengen Area. Without this, the application will be rejected (and probably invalidated when the expiration date is near). Much like other visa waivers, the EU application form will require that all eligible applicants provide their personal details as noted below.

Applicants from the visa waiver countries will have to provide the following information when applying for an ETIAS visa:

Full name
Date and place of birth
Current address
Parents’ information
Passport and other nationality details

Apart from basic personal information, applicants will also have to answer questions related to:

Drug use
Terrorism
Human trafficking
Travel to conflict areas
Criminal history
Employment history
Past European travel information
Security information

Providing false or misleading information during the ETIAS application process may result in having the applicant’s entry into the Schengen Area denied. The registration will require neither a consulate visit nor the collection of biometric data.

The ETIAS is essentially the European version of the US’s Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), which European citizens have had to fill out since 2008. However, the ESTA is only valid for two years, as opposed to the ETIAS’s three.

As of this writing, the ETIAS will cost 7 € for applicants over 18 and will be free for applicants under the age of 18 and over the age of 70. The fee has to be paid online through a valid debit or credit card, see the website for details.

Bottom line

If you plan on going to Europe in 2023, get a passport or make sure yours has at least six months left on your current one, and then register online with ETIAS.

Where there are tourists, there are pickpockets and con-artists. Travel scams in Europe typically fall into two categories. Distraction thefts and thefts of opportunity. Some scams seem to be more prevalent in some countries while other travel scams are more popular in different countries. You’re more vulnerable to being ripped off in unfamiliar surroundings and street thieves take advantage of this.

Trending Distraction Travel Scams in Europe

Distraction thefts are usually coordinated efforts between two or more thieves. Typically they involve one or two members of the “ring of thieves” creating a distraction while the others take advantage of the moment where the tourists or marks lapse in their vigilance of protecting their valuables. In Italy recently a group of artists concocts a show where a street vendor accuses a woman of stealing from him and hiding the goods on her person. The argument escalates loudly and a group of onlookers gathers. To prove her innocence the woman starts to remove her clothes. Once she gets down to her underwear the shopkeeper apologizes. While the onlookers were distracted by the “show” pickpockets were working the crowd to relieve as many of them as possible of their wallets, cameras, and phones.

You can bet that any loud street scuffle in a tourist-heavy location is an orchestrated distraction scam.

More personal one-on-one distraction travel scams in Europe involve a personable man or woman who approaches you asking for directions while forcing a map in front of you blocking your view of your bag and pockets. A similar setup is a woman selling something large like paper flowers she forces against you while asking for a few coins. While you are flustered and trying to push them away they or an accomplice have pick-pocketed you, and you didn’t even feel it.

Thefts of Opportunity are Not Staged Scams

Typically thieves take advantage of a momentary lapse in the vigilance of a tourist and then take what is not theirs. One of the most common opportunistic thefts is when a thief runs off with your purse that you’ve left dangling on your chair behind you or dips his hand in it and takes your wallet while your back is to him.

Another crowded location where thieves target tourists is in subway terminals. The jostling and quickly moving people offer enough distraction for pickpockets to take advance of easy-to-pick bags and wallets visible in back pockets.

The best tactic is not to engage with any people who try to crowd your personal space and overwhelm you. Unfortunately, these thieves have honed their craft and are persistent. The solution to keeping your valuables secure on your body is wearing a hidden money belt and to use an anti-theft purse or anti-theft backpack that has locking zippers.

Popular Travel Scams by Country

Travel scams in Europe are constantly changing. Some, however, tend to remain popular in certain countries because quite simply they work. Here’s a rundown of some of the current popular tourist scams by country. Many of these travel scams occur across borders.

France, the string people: Around Montmartre, Paris a friendly young person will want to wrap and tie a string friendship bracelet around your wrist. While you think this is charming and say thank you as you walk away, the “string person” will follow you and insist you give him or her a donation. Often their tactics escalate to harassment and many tourists give them money just to make them stop the harassment and go away.

Spain, border fees: During the tourist high season scam artists armed with fake IDs locate between the border of Spain and Gibraltar demand an “entry fee” to Gibraltar. There is no entry fee to pass from Spain to Gibraltar or visa versa. You do not need to pay no matter what they threaten.

Italy, flat tire: This scam is a setup and more prevalent in southern Italy. Rental cars are easily identifiable and therefore vulnerable targets. The scammers puncture the tire of their intended target while parked. Once you’re forced to stop due to a flat tire, the friendly and kind good Samaritans will “help” you watch your car as you go for help or will help you change the tire. In both cases, your luggage and valuables are vulnerable to theft while you’re distracted. Don’t leave your car or luggage unattended, call the emergency number provided on your written car rental document and then ask the “good Samaritans” to leave.

Czech Republic, phony police officers: This scam can be intimidating and even scary. Don’t fall for a group of police officers, yes they dress the part, as they appear and accuse you of a crime. The crime could be not paying a fee, shoplifting, etc. They will insist on you handing them your wallet and passport. Tell them you don’t have either or simply refuse and ask to go to a local police station. Most likely they will issue you a stern warning and leave.

Hungary, counterfeit money: Two common places where you may receive counterfeit bills as change is from taxi cabs and from stand-alone currency exchange booths. The Hungarian currency is the Forint. Use a credit card where you can make sure you have plenty of small bills to give the correct change. Get your Forints from a bank or at the airport to avoid fake currency.

Poland, imposter cabs: Imposter and unregulated cabs will try to pick up fares and say their meter is broken and then try to overcharge you for your trip. If this is the case look for another cab, or pre-negotiate the fare. It’s best to know the going rate for the trip ahead of time before you start the negotiation. Another option is to ask what the rate is via a rate card.

Germany, fake train ticket inspectors: Often the fake inspectors appear on trains to the airport. Usually, men wearing a fake ID badge and even armed with portable credit card machines ask to see your ticket. Upon inspection, they declare something is wrong and demand payment of a fine on the spot. Some demand 60 Euro per person and can be very aggressive even demanding your passport as ransom, which you don’t want to give up, especially since you’re on your way to the airport. Never hand your passport to a stranger, even if he looks official. Tell the “inspector” to issue you a ticket (which a real inspector will do.) Call for the train conductor to intervene if you can.

The more you know ahead of time the more likely you’ll recognize when something is not quite right. Be aware of your surroundings and trust your gut, especially when interacting with overly friendly or overly aggressive people, read more about travel scams in Europe.

Leave These Fashions for Home, Not Europe

Leave clothes that scream tourist at home because they call attention to you, which can be unflattering and even dangerous in Europe. Tourists are typically the target of pickpockets, thieves, and scam artists, so why broadcast that you could be a potential victim. It’s better to blend in more with the locals, even if you still look like a tourist at least look like a smart and savvy one and one that is respectful of the norms of your destination. While you may be thinking comfort while packing steer clear of items such as:

pajama bottoms,
T-shirts with big logos,
message T’s,
team logos,
baseball caps
white socks with tennis shoes
work out gear

A fashion trend here at home is wearing athletic or workout gear all day even if you’re not working out. That’s a fashion don’t in Europe and shouts, I’m an American tourist! Another detriment of looking too touristy is that locals may provide inferior service or be less friendly.

What Should You Pack for Europe?

Pack clothes that all mix and match so you can layer. Here are some on what to pack for Europe.

1. Women, choose 3/4 length pants or jersey knit clothes that are designed to go together. Select pants, a skirt, and top in this same easy care fabric. They pack small, are wrinkle resistant and look great with a scarf, and either a casual or more tailored jacket. Pick a solid color or two that complement each other. These are comfortable, easy-care, and pack wrinkle free.

2. A light-weight denim or cotton shirt that you can wear by its self or open over a T-shirt or tank or extra warmth.

3. Next, pack a scarf that you wear over bare shoulders in a church, or to jazz up your outfit. Around your neck it pulls an outfit together, and open around your shoulders it offers a little warmth. Some scarves like this infinity scarf have a hidden zippered pocket secure valuables. Select a couple of patterns to change out your look.4. Pack comfortable walking shoes. Brands like Cole-Hann, Merell, and Clarks are excellent choices. And speaking of footwear, soft durable socks are a must! No-show socks are currently popular. Leave the flip flops for pool or resort destinations.

5. Pack a light-weight rain jacket with a hood. This way you don’t need an umbrella.6. Take a small anti-theft crossbody handbag you can use during the day or night, and pack a small anti-theft daypack. It should be able to hold your rain jacket, a water bottle, a tube of sunscreen, have room for a sandwich, and if you carry a camera that too. Select an antitheft daypack that has locking zippers to keep your valuables secure and pickpockets out. This item can double as your personal carry-on item on the plane.7. Use the lightest weight piece of luggage that you can. In many older charming hotels, you’ll have to carry your bag up a couple of flights to your room. Elevators, if you’re lucky enough to have one, in older properties, are typically small and maneuvering a heavy bag in and out of them is difficult.

Accessories for Europe

A plug adaptor, learn what you’ll need (converter vs adaptor). It’s less than what you used to pack. Most laptops, phones, and electronics have built-in voltage converters that protect the device. If you’re not sure contact the manufacturer to confirm, it’s worth the extra effort.

2. Appliances such as curling irons and blow dryers could be more difficult, the best alternative is to pack a dual voltage device. Even with a dual voltage device, you may experience a problem due to older wiring, etc. Our advice is to email your hotel in advance to see if they have a hair dryer and use that one.

3. Secure your passport and other small documents with a hidden money belt. As an alternative check out pickpocket proof clothing that has hidden pockets for valuables.

4. Take laundry soap sheets or travel laundry detergent packets and wash your clothes during your trip. If they don’t dry overnight, use the hair dryer to finish the job.