Passports & Visas

A passport is required for all AmaWaterways river cruises and it must be valid for at least six months after you return home. It is your responsibility to ensure your passport is valid and contains all required visas. Please check your itinerary carefully and consult with the appropriate consulates to determine if any visas are needed. Vacations can be disrupted or altered if the correct documents cannot be presented at airports or border crossings. We recommend photocopying the first page of your passport, airline tickets, driver’s license and/or birth certificate to expedite the process of replacing any documents lost while traveling. Keep the originals separate from the copies and pack some extra passport photos as well. Another option is to scan your passport, airline tickets and credit card numbers and email them to yourself as attachments. Please be sure to fill out the “Emergency Next of Kin” section in your passport (in pencil) as well.

New Entry/Exit System for Select European Countries

Beginning October 12, 2025, select European countries will begin introducing a new Entry/Exit System (EES). The EES is an automated IT system for registering non-European nationals traveling for a short stay in Europe. The system will collect biometric data, such as your facial image and fingerprints.

How will this impact my AmaWaterways vacation?

From October 12, 2025, you will gradually begin to encounter EES as you pass through Immigration/Border Control at European airports in the 29 Schengen Area countries, including the following countries visited by AmaWaterways: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Spain and Switzerland.

EES makes border checks quicker, safer and more efficient. 

It will gradually replace immigration officials and passport stamps with a digital system recording when travelers enter and exit Schengen Area countries. EES is expected to be fully implemented by April 10, 2026.



Who does EES apply to?

• Non-EU nationals traveling to or from the Schengen Area
• Both short-stay visa holders and visa-exempt travelers

Some exemptions apply and can be reviewed by clicking here.

If you have any questions about your travel requirements or need assistance, please contact your travel advisor.