The EU’s European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) will be implemented in the final months of 2026, but it will now be followed by a six-month transition period. The permit will not be mandatory until at least April 2027.
The latest postponement is linked to the gradual rollout of the EU’s new biometric Entry/Exit System (EES), which records the fingerprints and facial images of non-EU travellers. For UK tourists heading to European countries including Spain, it means extra time will be granted as the new systems are rolled out.
Spain began pilot testing the Entry/Exit System in late 2025, and it is expected to be fully operational by April 2026. Spanish airport operator AENA said the extra time will allow border and ground staff to receive further training and ensure the coordinated operation of both systems. EU officials say the delay reflects ongoing technical challenges in interconnecting national border databases.
For decades, British passport holders could travel freely across Europe without any prior approval. But since Brexit, the UK is no longer part of the European Union (EU), which means new rules apply. UK nationals will need to get an ETIAS travel authorisation before going to Europe.
The entry system will impact people heading to 30 EU countries, including Spain, Greece and Portugal. Since Ireland is part of the Common Travel Area (CTA) with the UK, people can still visit Ireland without an ETIAS.
Your ETIAS travel authorisation is valid for three years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. With a valid ETIAS, you can stay in an EU country for up to 90 days within any 180-day period.
The European Union will share the specific date for the start of ETIAS several months prior to its launch.
Unlike a visa, the ETIAS is a digital authorisation that is linked to your passport and is approved online before you travel.
Not everyone travelling from the UK to Europe will need an ETIAS. This depends on factors such as your residency status, type of passport, or the country you are visiting.
For anyone who is eligible, your passport must meet certain validity rules before you can apply for an ETIAS.
It must be valid for at least three months after your departure date from the Schengen Zone. Passports older than 10 years may not be accepted.
An ETIAS will cost 20 Euros for most people. However, applicants who are under 18 or above 70 years of age are exempt from this payment. Also exempt are family members of EU citizens or of non-EU nationals who have the right to move freely throughout the European Union.
According to the official ETIAS website: “When you apply, the 20 euro application fee covers the processing of your data, identity verification, and security checks.
“The fee applies individually to every applicant, there are no family or group applications. Even if you are traveling together, each person must complete their own ETIAS application and pay separately.”
Each traveller must apply individually through the official ETIAS website and provide personal details such as their passport number to complete the process..