Starting from the last quarter of 2026, British travelers visiting 30 European nations will be required to obtain European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) approval. This mandate applies to UK citizens and individuals from 58 other visa-exempt countries intending to explore popular European destinations like France, Spain, and Portugal.
To embark on trips to sought-after holiday spots such as the Costas and Dordogne, Brits must secure an ETIAS before departure by completing an online application. While most approvals are expected to be swift, certain cases may undergo more thorough scrutiny, potentially extending the approval process up to 30 days. Hence, it is advisable to handle the authorization promptly upon booking a holiday.
Despite the seemingly straightforward procedure, the imposed ETIAS application fee has posed a new financial burden on British holidaymakers. Originally projected at €7, approximately £6, the fee has surged to €20, around £17.37, nearly tripling the initial cost.
All travelers, except children and seniors, are obliged to obtain ETIAS, resulting in an additional expense of €40 for a couple traveling together. The European Commission justified the fee increase, citing inflation adjustments since 2018 and additional operational expenses related to system enhancements, aligning the cost with similar global travel authorization programs.
Upon approval, an ETIAS remains valid for three years or until the passport expiration date, allowing for multiple trips. Meanwhile, recent EU-bound British travelers have encountered the new EU Entry/Exit system at airports, designed to enhance security and streamline entry processes, potentially reducing wait times for non-EU nationals like Brits.
Unlike the ETIAS requirement, British travelers are not mandated to pre-register for the Entry/Exit system. However, they can utilize the official Travel to Europe app to expedite the process by providing their details in advance.
As of now, the official commencement date for ETIAS remains undisclosed. The European Commission plans to announce the date well in advance to facilitate preparations for travelers and airports. Presently, Brits are not obligated to pay for an ETIAS, and upon launch, they should exclusively utilize the official ETIAS website for applications.
