Published on
January 25, 2026
Starting in 2026, Finland, alongside Slovenia, Germany, France, Austria, Spain, Poland, Luxembourg, Portugal, Latvia, Hungary, and many other European nations, will implement a new travel regulation requiring non-EU tourists to pay a twenty-euro fee for entry. This move is part of the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), which aims to enhance security and streamline entry for visitors from countries that previously enjoyed visa-free access. The new fee will help improve border control systems while ensuring smoother travel experiences across these popular European destinations.
Families planning a European getaway may soon face an additional cost. Every year, millions of UK residents travel to popular destinations such as Spain, Greece, and France. However, following the UK’s departure from the European Union, UK nationals, along with visitors from other non-EU countries, will soon be required to pay a fee to enter 30 European nations under new travel regulations. This fee is part of the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), which UK passport holders must register for before they can access specific European destinations.
Expected to be rolled out later this year, although no specific launch date has been confirmed, ETIAS will serve as an entry requirement for nationals from countries that previously enjoyed visa-free travel to the Schengen Area, along with some associate countries and Cyprus. The new system will allow travelers to visit these destinations as often as they like for short stays, typically not exceeding 90 days within any 180-day period.
Initially, the European Commission had proposed a charge of 7 euros per traveller for the ETIAS, but this has now been revised to 20 euros per person. The fee applies to all qualifying travellers, with the exception of those under the age of 18 and over the age of 70, meaning a family of four with two young children would pay a total of 40 euros.
The introduction of ETIAS has been delayed multiple times, and recent reports suggest that the system may not officially launch until late 2026. In an update from the EU’s Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs, it was noted that ETIAS would go live in the final quarter of 2026, with no immediate action required from travelers at this stage. The EU has promised to provide specific launch details several months in advance of ETIAS becoming operational.
Furthermore, a grace period of six months has been included in the plan. As a result, the ETIAS will not be a mandatory requirement until at least April 2027, giving travellers additional time to adapt to the new regulation.
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The ETIAS is a digital system that links directly to the passport, simplifying the travel process for both authorities and visitors. Those applying for ETIAS will need to submit their details online before their trip, and the approval process is expected to be quick. In most cases, authorisation is granted “almost immediately” after the application is submitted. However, there are circumstances under which an application could be denied, such as if there are concerns over the traveller’s identity or travel history.
The potential reasons for an ETIAS application being rejected include the use of an invalid passport, a history of being flagged as a “risk,” or having an alert in the Schengen Information System (SIS). Additionally, incomplete applications or the failure to attend a compulsory interview could also lead to a denial.
If an ETIAS request is rejected, applicants do have the option to appeal the decision. This provides an additional layer of security and fairness for those who may face issues during the application process.
The countries affected by the ETIAS requirement are spread across Europe and include:
- Austria
- Belgium
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czechia (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
Travelers wishing to visit these countries will need to ensure they apply for ETIAS before their trip. In the future, this system is expected to streamline the entry process for millions of visitors while providing European countries with a more effective way to monitor border security.
The introduction of ETIAS represents a significant shift in how travel to Europe will be managed post-Brexit. It aims to enhance security while making travel smoother for those who have previously benefited from visa-free access. For families planning holidays to popular European destinations, it’s essential to prepare for this new regulation to avoid last-minute delays or complications at the border.
As the ETIAS system continues to evolve, travelers are advised to stay updated on the latest developments and apply for the necessary authorisation in good time before their trips. The European Union has committed to providing clear guidelines and ample notice ahead of the system’s full implementation. For now, while it remains a work in progress, ETIAS is poised to become a key part of European travel regulations in the near future.
