Several news organizations have erroneously reported that Americans will need a visa to travel to Europe starting in 2021.  In fact, the European Union last year decided that all visitors from visa-free countries, including the United States, will have to apply for travel authorization through the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) system prior to their trip. The EC said the application process should not take more than 10 minutes and will cost about $8 (7 euros) for each applicant between ages 18-70. Authorization will last three years for an unlimited number of entries. ETIAS is expected to be operational starting in 2021. The authorization applies to people traveling in Europe’s Schengen Zone, which is comprised of 26 countries, including France, Italy, Germany and Spain, but not the U.K.  New Zealand is also instituting these measures.