New rules will soon come in for travel to Spain and 29 other countries
UK and other non-EU travellers will soon have to cough up for entry into 30 European countries as part of a new travel scheme. Because of Brexit, UK passport holders will need to register with the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) to gain access to certain European nations.
The ETIAS travel authorisation is an entry requirement for visa-exempt nationals visiting a select group of 30 European countries. With a valid ETIAS travel authorisation, travellers can enter these European countries as frequently as desired for short-term stays, typically up to 90 days within any 180-day period.
Initially, an ETIAS was said to cost 7 euros per person, but now EU bosses have confirmed the travel permit will cost almost triple that, at 20 euros per eligible traveller. Travellers aged under 18 or over 70 are exempt, so for a family of four travelling with two children, the cost would be 40 euros.
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The scheme has been delayed a few times, and earlier this year the EU’s Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs estimated that the ETIAS will be introduced in the final quarter of 2026. There will then be a grace period, so applying for an ETIAS will not become mandatory until 2027.
The ETIAS is stored electronically against the passport and will be necessary for travel to the following countries: 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, and Switzerland.
Most applications are expected to be approved “almost immediately”, but if the system identifies an error in your ETIAS request, it could be rejected. Reasons for ETIAS applications being declined could are said to include an invalid passport, being considered a “risk” or having a Schengen Information System (SIS) alert, submitting an incomplete application, or failing to attend a required interview.
If your ETIAS application is rejected, you can lodge an appeal.