British tourists will soon have to pay a fee to visit 30 countries in Europe, thanks to a new entry system due to be introduced next year.
The European Union (EU) is launching a European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) which will require holidaymakers to apply and pay for a visa-waiver before travelling. The electronic travel authorisation system allows non-EU citizens to visit the Schengen Area for short stays and is designed to help improve border security. While the system isn’t currently up and running, it’s due to be implemented in the last quarter of 2026 so it will affect Brits who have holidays planned next year.
The launch will come six months after the introduction of a separate European Entry Exit Scheme (EES) which began its rollout on October 12 and requires tourists to register their fingerprints and a facial image when holidaying in the Schengen Area.
Once the ETIAS does take effect, Brits will have to apply and pay for a visa-waiver for travel to 30 European countries which will allow tourists to enter these countries for short-term stays – normally up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
Applying for the visa will cost holidaymakers 20 Euros, which is around £17. The cost was originally set at just seven Euros (around £6) but has since almost tripled in price.
The visa is linked to your passport and will remain valid for up to three years, or until your passport expires – whichever comes first. If you get a new passport, you’ll also need to get a new ETIAS travel authorisation.
ETIAS.COM explains: “You will need a payment card to cover the EUR 20 fee. You can use a variety of online payment options to pay the fee.
“Applicants who are under 18 or above 70 years of age are exempt from this payment. Also exempt are family members of EU citizens or of non-EU nationals who have the right to move freely throughout the European Union.”
The 20-euro fee is intended to be used to fund the costs of running the departments and systems of ETIAS and could be increased “if the operational costs cause the EU to lose money”.
The European Union said: “Rules of travel to most European countries have changed. Starting six months after EES, some 1.4 billion people from 59 visa-exempt countries and territories are required to have a travel authorisation to enter 30 European countries for a short stay.”
Listed are all 30 European countries where British tourists will be required to have a valid ETIAS travel authorisation once the system is introduced in 2026:
- 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
- Switzerland