British passport holders will soon be required to pay an extra charge to visit 29 popular holiday destinations. Following Brexit, UK travellers will be legally obliged to register with the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) to access these European nations.
ETIAS fee and exemptions
EU officials state the travel authorisation is being implemented to enhance security and strengthen Schengen zone borders. The ETIAS fee has been confirmed at 20 euros per eligible traveller, just over £17, nearly triple the initially expected 7 euros. Children and individuals aged over 70 are exempt from the fee.
With an ETIAS, visitors can enter European nations as often as desired for short-term stays, generally up to 90 days within any 180-day period. The authorisation is valid for three years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first.
Timeline and implementation
The programme has faced multiple postponements. Earlier this year, the EU's Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs projected that ETIAS would launch in the final quarter of 2026. After an initial grace period, securing an ETIAS will become compulsory in 2027.
Full list of countries requiring ETIAS
The 29 countries include: 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 travel to Cyprus once the country becomes part of the Schengen zone.
