Brits planning a holiday are reminded that a planned travel change for the end of 2026 could see them charged. UK tourists and other visitors from outside the EU will shortly be required to pay a fee to enter Spain and 29 other European nations under a new travel arrangement.
Following Brexit, holders of UK passports must register with the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) to access particular European destinations. It is expected the system will launch later this year but no exact date is yet known. The ETIAS travel authorisation will serve as 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 permits travellers to visit these European nations as often as they wish for brief stays, generally up to 90 days within any 180-day timeframe.
Originally, as reported by the Liverpool Echo, an ETIAS was expected to cost 7 euros per person, however, it has now been confirmed that the charge will be 20 euros per qualifying traveller.
Those under 18 or over 70 years of age are excluded from the fee, meaning a family of four with two youngsters would pay 40 euros in total.
The programme has experienced multiple postponements, and earlier this year the EU's Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs projected that the ETIAS would launch in the final quarter of 2026.
The official EU website said: "ETIAS will start operations in the last quarter of 2026. No action is required from travellers at this point.
"The European Union will inform about the specific date for the start of ETIAS several months prior to its launch."
According to an update published on January 9, ETIAS will have a six-month grace period, meaning the permit will not become mandatory until at least April 2027.
The countries you will need it forThe ETIAS is held digitally linked to your passport. It is required for journeys to the following nations:
Most submissions are expected to be granted authorisation "almost immediately", although the platform may identify concerns with your ETIAS application which could result in denial.
Reasons for ETIAS requests being declined are thought to encompass 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 compulsory interview.
If your ETIAS application is rejected, you maintain the right to lodge an appeal.
