Vacation planning for 2025: New entry requirements for popular countries!

Vacation planning for 2025: New entry requirements for popular countries!

Traveling abroad requires careful planning and timely information so that vacationers can easily reach their destination. Travelers should find out about the necessary entry formalities in good time before a vacation abroad, recommends the Austrian platform. This also includes using the Foreign Ministry's foreign service app, which offers useful support. In many countries outside the EU, travelers must complete online registrations or apply for an electronic visa (“e-Visa”) before entering the country.

To keep track of important aspects, a travel checklist is recommended. This includes, among other things, country-specific travel information, the necessary vaccination protection, doctor's visits both within and outside the EU and current travel warnings. It is particularly important that all applicable import and customs regulations are adhered to when returning to Austria, especially for tobacco products, alcohol, food and cash. Austrian citizens require a valid passport or ID card to leave and enter the country, while driving licenses or ID cards are not permitted.

Current entry requirements

The entry regulations vary greatly depending on the country you are traveling to, your passport and the length of stay. German citizens can use their passport to travel to over 190 countries without a visa, but often have to comply with additional conditions, such as compulsory health insurance or applying for electronic travel permits. The information regarding entry requirements can often change at short notice, which is why it is advisable to find out early. There are currently specific regulations for popular holiday destinations.

In Egypt, for example, a visa is required, which can be applied for either in advance for 25 euros plus a processing fee or upon entry as a “visa on arrival” for 25 US dollars (approx. 24 euros). A free visa will apply to travelers via Luxor and Aswan from May 1 to October 31, 2025 to boost summer tourism. As of January 1, 2025, travelers to the British Virgin Islands must complete an online entry form and customs forms, with these documents complete 72 hours before arrival. However, this does not apply to cruise passengers.

The UK has introduced an Electronic Entry Authorization (ETA) for EU citizens since March 5, 2025, the application for which should be made a few days before travel. For those traveling to the Schengen area, an automated entry and exit system will be introduced from 2025, with biometric data verified electronically to increase the efficiency of border controls.

There are also special regulations for Tanzania, where changes to visa applications are expected from January 30, 2025. Travelers must have international health insurance for Zanzibar, which has been mandatory since October 1, 2024. This must be completed via a government website and costs around 44 US dollars (approx. 40 euros). Bhutan has abolished travel health insurance requirements, but charges tourists a sustainable development fee of $100 (approximately €92) per night.

For Namibia, a visa requirement for nationals of countries without visa exemptions will come into force from April 1, 2025, with the e-visa costing around 80 euros. Thailand will launch a digital entry card (TM6) on May 1, 2025, which can be registered free of charge to speed up the entry process. A digital Arrival Card has been required in Cambodia since July 1, 2024, but it does not replace the visa.

In crisis situations, Austrian representations (embassy, ​​consulate) are the first point of contact for travelers, for example in the event of loss of passport, accident or death abroad. The Austrian Ministry of the Interior also recommends voluntary and free registration abroad in order to reach those affected immediately in crisis situations.

For more information, the official government websites provide comprehensive support: österreich.gv.at and reisereporter.de.