The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) will be a requirement for UK passport holders travelling to certain European countries from 2026
British holidaymakers and other non-EU travellers will shortly be required to pay for entry into Spain and 29 European nations(Image: TravelCouples via Getty Images)
British holidaymakers and other non-EU travellers will shortly be required to pay for entry into Spain and 29 European nations under a new travel arrangement. Following Brexit, UK passport holders must register with the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) to access certain European destinations.
The ETIAS travel authorisation represents an entry requirement for visa-exempt nationals visiting any of the “core Schengen area countries”, alongside some “Schengen associate countries”, and Cyprus. Possessing a valid ETIAS travel authorisation enables travellers to enter these European nations as often as they wish for brief stays, generally up to 90 days within any 180-day timeframe.
Originally, an ETIAS was reported to cost 7 euros per person, however it has now been verified that it will cost 20 euros per eligible traveller, reports Bristol Live. Travellers aged under 18 or over 70 are exempt, meaning for a family of four travelling with two children, the expense would be 40 euros.
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The programme has been postponed multiple times, and earlier this year the EU’s Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs projected that the ETIAS will be launched in the final quarter of 2026.
The ETIAS is stored digitally against the passport and will be essential for travel to the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.
Most applications are expected to be granted approval “almost immediately”, although the system could highlight problems with your ETIAS submission which might result in rejection. Reasons for ETIAS applications being declined are believed to include possessing an invalid passport, being considered a “risk” or having a Schengen Information System (SIS) alert, submitting an incomplete application, or failing to attend a mandatory interview.
If your ETIAS application is refused, you maintain the right to lodge an appeal.