Britons planning trips to 30 European countries in late 2026 will now be required to obtain authorization through the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS). This mandatory process applies to citizens of the UK and 58 other countries who do not require visas to enter the EU, including popular destinations like France, Spain, and Portugal.
Travelers embarking on vacations to well-known spots such as the Costas or Dordogne will need to secure an ETIAS before departure, with all passengers completing an online form. While most ETIAS approvals are expected to be swift, travelers subject to additional checks may face up to a 30-day wait for clearance, emphasizing the need to complete the process promptly after booking a holiday.
Although the concept of obtaining an ETIAS seems straightforward, the associated fee has sparked discontent among British holidaymakers. Initially proposed at €7 (approximately £6) back in 2018, the fee has since been revised to €20 (around £17.37), nearly three times the original amount.
All passengers between the ages of 18 and 70 are required to obtain an ETIAS, with exemptions for children and seniors. However, for couples traveling together, this translates to an additional €40 expense that needs to be factored into their holiday budget.
The European Commission justified the fee increase by citing inflation since 2018 and additional operational costs for integrating new system features. The new fee aligns the cost of an ETIAS travel authorization with similar programs worldwide.
Once approved, an ETIAS remains valid for up to three years or until the passport expiration date, whichever comes first, enabling multiple trips under the same authorization.
In addition to ETIAS requirements, recent EU-bound British travelers have encountered the new EU Entry/Exit system at airports. This system, designed to replace manual passport stamping, involves capturing photos and fingerprints of individuals entering the Schengen area.
While the EES aims to bolster security and streamline identification processes, technical glitches have led to delays, with reports of up to three-hour waits in locations such as Tenerife. Unlike ETIAS, registration for EES is not mandatory for Britons, but they can utilize the official Travel to Europe app to pre-register details and potentially expedite the entry process.
As of now, the official commencement date for ETIAS remains undisclosed. The European Commission has assured advance notice of the start date to facilitate preparation for travelers and airport authorities. Britons are not currently required to pay for an ETIAS, and once the system is operational, only the official ETIAS website should be used for applications.
