Brits and other non-EU travellers will soon have to pay for entry into Spain and 29 European nations under a new travel scheme.
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.
Having 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 period.
Originally, an ETIAS was expected to cost 7 euros per person, however it has since been confirmed that it will cost 20 euros per eligible traveller, reports the Liverpool Echo.
Travellers aged under 18 or over 70 are exempt, so for a family of four travelling with two children, the cost would be 40 euros.
The scheme has faced multiple delays, though earlier this year the EU’s Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs estimated that the ETIAS will be launched in the final quarter of 2026.
The ETIAS is stored electronically 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 approved “almost immediately”, although the system could highlight problems with your ETIAS submission that 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.
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