Tejal Somvanshi
Major changes are reshaping both domestic and international travel in 2025, affecting millions of travelers worldwide. From new ID requirements in the United States to enhanced screening processes for European travel, here’s what you need to know before your next trip.
Real ID Deadline Approaches
The long-awaited Real ID requirement takes effect May 7, 2025, marking a significant shift in domestic air travel requirements. William Lamoreaux of the Arizona Department of Transportation reports that less than a third of Americans currently have compliant identification, with only 2.3 million Arizona Travel IDs in circulation out of 7.6 million driver’s licenses.
“I haven’t gotten mine yet,” says Jeffrey Kuselias, a frequent traveler. “I just have to go to AAA to take care of it. AAA makes it very easy.”
For those without a Real ID by the deadline, alternative acceptable documents include:
- U.S. passport or passport card
- DHS trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI)
- Permanent resident card
- Military ID
New European Travel Requirements
Starting January 8, 2025, U.S. travelers to the United Kingdom must register with the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) program. This online registration costs approximately $13 and remains valid for two years.
Paul Brody, who often travels abroad, has already prepared for these changes. “We’ve done a lot of international travel, so we have a lot of these steps taken care of already,” he says.
The European Union is also planning to launch its own system called ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System). While we don’t know the exact start date yet, this will be a new requirement for U.S. travelers visiting EU countries.
Changes for Australian Travelers
If you’re traveling with an Australian passport, you’ll need to plan ahead. While it costs $412 (making it the world’s priciest passport), it lets you visit many countries without a visa. But you’ll need special permission for some places:
- You must get a visa before traveling to 15 specific countries, including Afghanistan, North Korea, and Sudan
- You need to apply online for a eVisa to visit 25 countries, including Chile, India, and Vietnam
What Travelers Are Saying
Not everyone knows about these new rules yet. Richard Rynaski admits, “I have a friend that travels all the time so whenever I have a question, I always ask him.”
Some people think the extra steps might put others off traveling. “It does make it a little harder to travel,” says Kuselias. “I remember going years ago, it was so easy. The last time I went to Europe it was a bit of a pain.”
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What This Means for You
Travel is changing to become more digital and secure. While there are more steps to take before your trip, seasoned travelers like Brody stay positive: “If one wants to travel, you just have to deal with the bumps and hiccups and get over there.”
If you’re planning to travel in 2025, start getting your papers ready early. The Department of Homeland Security expects between 61% and 66% of all IDs will be Real ID compliant by the deadline, which means many people still need to get theirs. Don’t wait until the last minute to get yours.
