British travellers aged over 70 will be exempt from a new €20 travel fee when visiting Spain and other European countries under the upcoming European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS). The scheme, which applies to 30 European nations, requires UK passport holders to obtain an electronic authorisation before travel, following Brexit.
The ETIAS fee was initially set at €7 but has been increased to €20 per person. However, those under 18 or over 70 are exempt from the charge. For a family of four with two children, the total cost would be €40. The authorisation is valid for multiple short-term visits of up to 90 days within any 180-day period.
The scheme has faced several delays and is now expected to launch in the final quarter of 2026, with a grace period making it compulsory from 2027. The ETIAS will be electronically linked to the passport and required for travel to countries including Spain, France, Greece, Italy, and Germany, among others.
Most applications are expected to be approved quickly, but rejections can occur due to invalid passports, security risks, incomplete applications, or failure to attend an interview. Rejected applicants have the right to appeal.
