British travellers will soon need to budget for an extra charge before jetting off to many popular European holiday destinations. From 2027, UK passport holders will be required to pay for a travel permit under the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS).
What is the ETIAS and how much will it cost?
The ETIAS is a new entry requirement for visitors from countries, like the UK, that do not need a visa for short stays in the European Union and associated nations. It is a direct consequence of the UK's departure from the EU. While the scheme was initially proposed with a fee of just 7 euros, EU authorities have now confirmed the cost will be 20 euros (approximately £17) per eligible traveller.
The authorisation, once granted, will be electronically linked to your passport. It allows for multiple short visits to the participating countries, typically for stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period. The good news for some families is that travellers aged under 18 and adults over 70 will be exempt from the charge. This means a family of four with two children would pay 40 euros, not 80.
Delayed launch and mandatory start date
The introduction of ETIAS has been postponed several times. According to the EU's Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs, the system is now expected to go live in the final quarter of 2026. Following this, there will be a grace period, meaning the application will not become mandatory until 2027.
Most applications are expected to be approved swiftly, often within minutes. However, applications can be rejected for several reasons, including:
- Having an invalid passport.
- Being flagged as a potential security or health risk.
- A matching alert in the Schengen Information System (SIS).
- Incomplete paperwork or missing a mandatory interview.
If an application is denied, the traveller has the right to appeal the decision.
Which countries require the ETIAS?
The ETIAS authorisation will be required for entry into 30 European countries. The full list includes most EU member states and several non-EU nations within the Schengen zone or those with related agreements.
The countries are: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, 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.
Additionally, Cyprus will join the list once it formally becomes part of the Schengen area. This new system marks a significant post-Brexit shift for UK travellers, adding an extra step and cost to planning European getaways.
