VISA AND ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Entry and visa requirements to travel into the EU and the Netherlands are evolving.

The European Entry/Exit System (EES) may be in place for travelers to the AEA-E Europe 2025 but does not require prior action or documentation outside a passport. Some attendees will need to apply for a Schengen visa. Links below provide further information on both. The European visa-waiver system ETIAS will not impact travel to the AEA-Europe 2025.

The EES is an automated IT system for registering non-EU nationals travelling for a short stay, each time they cross the external borders of any of the European countries using the system. Netherlands is one of these countries. Currently, it is expected that by October 2025, the EU will implement a new electronic system to register visitors to the EU. The EES requires you to present a valid passport but no further documentation prior to travel.

At the point of first entry, your passport information and biometrics (photo and fingerprints) will be collected. This process may take a little time at the first time, while biometrics may be checked for subsequent entries . It is comparable to the process that has been in place for those entering the USA for many years. Once the EES is in place, you may check to see if biometrics and information can be uploaded prior to travel. For more information: EES – European Union

A Schengen visa for a short period (maximum of 90 days within 180 days) is required for all travelers into the Netherlands from countries or nationalities without visa exemption. Citizens of certain non-EU countries must hold a short-stay visa when travelling to the Schengen area.  Visa applications need to be submitted in the consulate of the Schengen country you will stay the longest or enter as first, which for AEA-Europe would be the Dutch consulate. The visa application requires special documentation and must be submitted at least 15 days but no more than 6 months before date of travel. Normally a short stay visa will cost 90 Euro for an adult.

Please check as soon as possible if you need to arrange for a visa and if you need further documentation from AEA-Europe to support your application. All information on whether you need to apply for a Schengen visa can be found here: Applying for a Schengen visa – European Commission

The introduction of the ETIAS will not impact travel to the AEA-Europe in 2025. Currently it is expected to be implemented in the last quarter of 2026. The ETIAS is an entry document for travelers to the EU who currently have a visa-exemption. It is comparable to the ETA that the UK implemented in April 2025 and the ESTA for travel to the USA. For more information: ETIAS – European Union