The U.S. and the EU are negotiating to maintain visa-free travel for Europeans

On September 10, 2026, the European Commission submitted proposals to the Council of the European Union regarding the signing of a new framework agreement with the United States. The purpose of the agreement is to facilitate the exchange of information used for border controls and the assessment of visa and travel authorization applications. This is the EU’s response to new security requirements from Washington, on which the continued participation of European countries in the U.S. Visa Waiver Program depends.

For travelers, this means, for now, that there are currently no indications that visa-free entry into the U.S. for citizens of participating countries will be discontinued. Anyone from one of the 42 countries and territories currently participating in the Visa Waiver Program can continue to travel to the U.S. for tourist or business stays of up to 90 days without a traditional visa. However, travelers must still obtain an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) for the U.S., which must be applied for before departure.

At the heart of the current negotiations is an expanded exchange of information concerning certain travelers, which may also include biometric data. Since 2022, the U.S. has required countries that participate in or wish to join the Visa Waiver Program to establish a so-called Enhanced Border Security Partnership with U.S. authorities. The EU is now negotiating on behalf of its member states regarding the specific terms of this partnership in order to establish uniform standards for all Schengen states, rather than allowing individual bilateral agreements.

At the same time, the European Commission is emphasizing the importance of integrating European safeguards into the agreement that regulate how the shared data may be used by the U.S. side. This is intended to ensure that data exchange complies with European data protection law and does not lead to the uncontrolled disclosure of sensitive information. The negotiations are currently in the phase of political coordination between the Commission and the Council before a final agreement with the U.S. can be concluded.

For travelers planning a trip to the U.S., there will be no immediate changes to existing procedures in their day-to-day lives. Those wishing to enter visa-free will still need a valid ESTA authorization, while travelers who are not from a Visa Waiver Program country, or whose stay exceeds 90 days, or who are visiting for purposes other than tourism or business, will need a regular tourist visa for the U.S. Nevertheless, the progress of the negotiations should be closely monitored, as future changes to entry requirements cannot be ruled out.

If you’re unsure which travel requirements apply to your specific situation or need assistance with the application process, you can find information about the various options in our U.S. visa overview. It also includes details on the costs of a U.S. visa, so travelers can plan their trips well in advance and avoid any unpleasant surprises.