Most people will have to pay, although some are exempt
Brits heading abroad will soon have to pay a fee to visit some 30 countries under a new travel scheme.
Following Brexit, UK passport holders must register with the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) in order to gain entry to most European nations. The ETIAS travel authorisation is an entry requirement for visa-exempt nationals looking to visit a specific group of 30 European countries. With a valid ETIAS travel authorisation in place, travellers can enter these European countries as often as they wish for short-term visits, generally up to 90 days within any 180-day period.
An ETIAS was initially expected to cost 7 euros per person, however EU officials have now confirmed the travel permit will cost nearly three times that amount, at 20 euros per eligible traveller. Those aged under 18 or over 70 are exempt from the charge, meaning a family of four travelling with two children would pay 40 euros in total.
The scheme has faced several delays, and earlier this year the EU’s Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs estimated that ETIAS will launch in the final quarter of 2026. A grace period will then follow, meaning applying for an ETIAS will not become compulsory until 2027.
The ETIAS is stored electronically against the passport and will be required for travel to the following countries: 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. It will also be required for Cyprus travel once Cyprus becomes part of the Schengen area.
The majority of applications are anticipated to receive approval “almost immediately”, however if the system detects an issue with your ETIAS application, it may be turned down. Grounds for ETIAS applications being refused are reported to include an invalid passport, being deemed a “risk” or having a Schengen Information System (SIS) alert, submitting an incomplete application, or not attending a mandatory interview, reports the Liverpool Echo.
Should your ETIAS application be rejected, you have the right to submit an appeal.
