Unexpectedly Difficult Countries to Visit in 2025

7. The Schengen Area (ETIAS): The Imminent Digital Hurdle

By mid-2025, citizens of over 60 visa-exempt countries (including the U.S., Canada, and Australia) will need the ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System) to enter the Schengen Area. This new digital authorization is mandatory for short stays. While not a full visa, failure to apply in advance (and pay a small fee) will result in denied boarding. The difficulty is in the sheer scale of the change and the potential for last-minute travelers to be caught off guard by this new pre-screening requirement.