What is the ESTA travel authorization?

Planning a trip to the United States with a European passport? You'll need to apply for an ESTA before you go. Here's what you need to know.

Planning a trip to the United States or stopping over there? Before you go, you need to get an ESTA authorization.

What is ESTA?

ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) is a mandatory electronic travel authorization for anyone entering the United States by air, sea, or land for tourism, business, or transit for up to 90 days.
The system was introduced in 2007 to allow U.S. authorities to screen travelers before they arrive by air or sea.
As of October 1, 2026, ESTA costs $40.27 per person.

ESTA is required for citizens of countries in the U.S. Visa Waiver Program who plan to stay in the United States for up to 90 days or transit through the country. Visa Waiver Program countries include France, Monaco, Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Spain, Portugal, Italy, and most European nations.
ESTA is required regardless of age. If you’re traveling with children or babies, you’ll need to submit an ESTA for each person.
Since October 1, 2022, ESTA is mandatory if you enter the United States by land border, including driving from Canada. See our article on entry requirements to the USA from Canada.
IMPORTANT: If you plan to stay longer than 90 days in the United States or if you’re traveling to work or do an internship, ESTA is not valid—you must apply for a visa instead. The same applies if you’re not a citizen of a European country: you’ll need to apply for a visa at the U.S. consulate in your country of residence.
You also cannot apply for ESTA if you’ve recently traveled to certain countries, including Iran and Cuba. See our article on countries that pose problems for U.S. authorities. In that case, you’ll need to apply for a visa.

You must submit your ESTA application at least 72 hours before your departure to the United States. I recommend applying about a month in advance to avoid any surprises, such as discovering your passport has expired.
ESTA applications are only submitted online through the official U.S. government website. The process is available in multiple languages and costs $40.27 (as of October 1, 2026), payable online by credit card.
For help filling out the form, check out my step-by-step guide to completing ESTA correctly or our explanatory video below. You’ll also find plenty of tips and advice in my section on administrative requirements for traveling to the United States.
IMPORTANT: You’ll notice there are countless fake websites that look almost identical to the official site and rank well in Google. Don’t be fooled—use only the official website. These fake sites charge outrageous amounts for ESTA, sometimes up to €139, when ESTA actually costs $40.27 and nothing more. If you’re asked to pay more than $40.27, you’re not on the official site. Be careful!

Watch this video on YouTube

Once you’ve paid for your ESTA, your authorization will appear on screen immediately: print the document and bring it with you. If your application is marked “pending,” follow my tip for resolving a pending ESTA application.
One important thing to know: ESTA is NEVER sent by email. If you receive something by email, you’ve used a fake site.
Your ESTA travel authorization is valid for 2 years: if you return to the United States within that period with the same passport, you won’t need to apply for ESTA again. However, if you get a new passport during that time, you’ll need to reapply and pay $40.27 again.

Have questions about ESTA? Feel free to ask in the comments below and we’ll be happy to answer them.
You can also post your questions directly on the blog forum: our team and site members can help you out. You’ll also find plenty of already-answered questions on the forum!