Originally expected to cost just €7 (£6), EU officials have now confirmed the fee will nearly triple to €20 (£17) per person.

However, children under 18 and adults over 70 will be exempt from the fee. For a typical family of four with two children, the total cost would amount to €40 (£34).

The ETIAS system is designed to improve border security by screening travellers before they arrive. It allows entry for short-term visits of up to 90 days in any 180-day period and is valid for multiple trips during its validity.

While ETIAS was initially scheduled for launch in 2024, the EU’s Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs has delayed its rollout to the final quarter of 2026.

A grace period will follow, meaning the permit is unlikely to become compulsory until sometime in 2027.

The ETIAS will be digitally linked to your passport and required to enter a wide range of European countries, including:

Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus (once it joins the Schengen Area), 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 automatically within minutes. However, applications could be denied for several reasons, including an invalid passport, being flagged in the Schengen Information System (SIS), or failing to complete required steps such as an interview.

If your ETIAS is rejected, you will have the right to appeal the decision.

The upcoming change marks another post-Brexit travel shift for British citizens, who previously enjoyed freedom of movement across the EU.

Travellers are advised to stay updated and prepare well in advance before the mandatory ETIAS requirement comes into force.