Registering your residence abroad
During the first 3 months of your stay in your new country, as EU national, you cannot be required to apply for a residence document confirming your right to live there – although in some countries you may have to report your presence upon arrival.
After 3 months in your new country, you may be required to register your residence with the relevant authority (often the town hall or local police station), and to be issued with a registration certificate.
You will need a valid identity card or passport and:
- Employees / Postings abroad
- Certificate of employment or confirmation of recruitment from your employer
- Proof of your status as self-employed
- Proof of comprehensive health insurance
- Proof you can support yourself without needing income support: resources may come from any source
- Proof of enrolment at an approved educational establishment
- Proof of comprehensive health insurance
- Declaration that you have sufficient resources to support yourself without needing income support: resources may come from any source
Warning
You do not need to provide any other documents.
When you register, you will get a registration certificate. This certificate confirms your right to live in your new country.
Your registration certificate should be issued immediately and cost no more than the price nationals pay for identity cards.
It should be valid indefinitely (does not have to be renewed), though any change of address may need to be reported to the local authorities.
Find out where and how to register in your host country:
If you are required to register, you may be fined for not doing so but may continue to live in the country and cannot be expelled just for this.
In many countries, you will need to carry your registration certificate and national identity card or passport at all times. If you leave them at home, you may be fined but cannot be expelled just for this.
If you have problems getting your registration certificate, you can call on our assistance services.
See also how to:
Sample story
You can start work without waiting to register
Kurt is a German who moved to Belgium to work as an independent lawyer in a partnership. When he went to register at the town hall, he was told he couldn’t start working until he’d received a registration certificate.
This is incorrect: as an EU national, Kurt may work as a self-employed person without waiting for a registration certificate. In any case, the authorities must issue a registration certificate immediately when asked.
Here Are The Current Travel Restrictions For Americans Traveling To Europe
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Americans can still travel to European countries, although each country makes their own decisions about who can enter and what precautions are required to help prevent the spread of Covid-19.
Before deciding to travel to Europe, check the testing and vaccination requirements for your destination. Be sure to also consider any countries you transit as there may be testing or vaccination requirements even if you don’t leave the airport. You’ll also want to travel masks with you at all times, since some forms of transportation as well as public and private businesses may require them to enter. Many European countries specifically call for FFP2 masks (or similar-style masks such as KF94 or N95s).
Here are some of the latest European travel rules and restrictions for U.S. travelers.
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France
U.S. citizens can travel to France with full proof of vaccination , which you may have to show to your airline and to border patrol.
Spain
U.S. citizens are not required to quarantine when arriving in Spain, but proof of vaccination or a recent negative test is required. Your test must be from within 72 hours prior to departure for PCR tests or 24 hours for antigen tests. Spain recently revised their requirements to define fully vaccinated travelers as those who received their final dose 14-270 days prior to arrival. Therefore, some travelers may need to obtain a booster dose prior to travel to Spain.
Before departure, you must complete a Health Control Form (FCS) and obtain and download the QR code to show at boarding and health controls upon arrival in Spain.
Requirements for Traveling to the U.S.
As of June 12, U.S. citizens returning from Europe to the United States no longer need to provide a negative Covid-19 test in order to return home. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) lifted the previous mandate that had required travelers to supply a negative Covid test or documentation of recovery in order to re-enter the U.S.
However, if you’re not a U.S. citizen or are on an immigrant visa, you’ll still need to show proof of vaccination to fly to the U.S. from Europe.
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Becky Pokora is an avid traveler with a particular love for the outdoors. She’s always looking for new ways to make travel easier, more memorable, and more affordable, particularly by using miles and points.
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ETIAS Requirements for American Citizens
The ETIAS Online Visa Waiver (European Travel Information and Authorization System) was created for U.S. citizens who wish to travel around Europe for up to 90-days. All U.S. citizens visiting Europe are required to hold a valid ETIAS to enter and travel around all the ETIAS countries.
ETIAS countries – Schengen Area
EU Member States
Non-EU Member States
Micro-States de facto part of Schengen Area
Countries that will be part of the Schengen Area
ETIAS Countries that Require a Europe Travel Authorization for American Citizens
An ETIAS authorization will be required for every American citizen for short-term stays of up to 90-days to travel to any of the ETIAS countries mentioned above. Learn more about the ETIAS application requirements for U.S. citizens visiting Europe.
The ETIAS visa waiver also includes countries that are part of the Schengen Area but not the EU, which means that U.S. citizens will be able to see these nations without the need for any additional European travel documents or requirements. ETIAS visa waiver will also include countries which do not yet fully apply the Schengen acquis but will join in a future.
ETIAS requirements for U.S. citizens
U.S. citizens over the age of 18 will be required to apply online for the ETIAS online visa to enter any of the Schengen Area Member states.
When the online platform goes live in November 2023, all US citizens traveling to Europe for short-term stays will be obliged to have an ETIAS visa waiver with them before their trip. It is key that a U.S. traveler has a valid passport. During the application process, American applicants will be required to provide a current email address. When the ETIAS is approved, it will be sent to the email provided in the application.
American citizens will need to provide personal information on their ETIAS online application such as:
- Full name
- Place and date of birth
- Gender
- Home address
- Telephone number and email
- Education or current employment information
- Passport or travel document information
- Member state of intended first entry, and
- Answer ETIAS background and eligibility questions
To apply for an ETIAS visa Americans are required to:
- A valid machine-readable passport
- A valid email account – the ETIAS authorization will be sent via email
- A valid debit or credit card to pay the application fees
For a successful application, all U.S. travelers should provide accurate information. It is essential that the applicant uses his or her full name, travel document details, and valid payment method.
Once approved, the ETIAS authorization will be valid for 3 years. American citizens holders of an approved ETIAS can travel around the Schengen Area, Croatia, Cyprus, Bulgaria and Romania for a maximum of 90 days for every 180-day period.
Information about the ETIAS Visa Waiver for Americans Citizens
The European Union launched the ETIAS authorization system as a response to the increasing number of tourists, as well as the ongoing migration flows and terrorist threats.
The ETIAS online travel authorization is a well-integrated authorization system that will strengthen Europe’s external border policies and ensure internal security while preserving freedom of movement within the Schengen Area. This is achieved thanks to an automated system that gathers information on visa-exempt travelers before their arrival in the EU, to determine irregularities, and security or public-health risks associated with them. ETIAS follows similar models already existing in the USA, Canada, and Australia, among others.
While enhancing safety for the region is a primary goal of the ETIAS travel authorization, there are other relevant aspects of this travel authorization that should be considered. U.S. citizens traveling to Europe will simply have to complete an online application a few days prior to their trip. This European permit will benefit travelers as it reduces procedures and application times. ETIAS is expected to make border checks quicker and more efficient for international visitors.The program will prevent irregular migration and will reinforce Europe’s visa liberalization policy.
Every visa-exempt third-country national, including Americans, arriving at the Schengen external borders will be required to hold an approved ETIAS authorization.
Source https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/residence/documents-formalities/registering-residence/index_en.htm
Source https://www.forbes.com/advisor/travel-insurance/travel-restrictions-us-europe/
Source https://www.etias.us/us-citizens/