UK tourists are being warned about a new £17 travel fee for visiting Europe, set to be introduced in late 2026 under the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS). The scheme, similar to the US ESTA, will require British travellers to obtain pre-travel approval for short stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period in 30 European countries.
Passport Confusion Among UK Travellers
Research by Saga Travel Insurance reveals widespread confusion over passport rules. In a survey of 500 people, 16% did not know their passport expiry date, 10% had less than a year left, and 8% had already expired passports. One in 14 travellers had been refused entry to a country due to insufficient passport validity.
Post-Brexit Travel Rules
Half of holidaymakers are still unsure about visa and travel requirements for Europe after Brexit. Michelle Cooper, director of Travel Insurance at Saga, explained the 90/180-day rule: travellers can spend up to 90 days in the Schengen area within any rolling 180-day period. Exceeding this limit can result in fines or a ban from re-entering.
The '10-year passport rule' is a major concern. EU countries require passports to be less than 10 years old on the day of entry. While new passports last exactly ten years, those issued before 2018 may be valid for up to 10 years and nine months. Travellers should check both issue and expiry dates before travelling.
ETIAS: New Travel Authorisation from 2026
From late 2026, UK tourists visiting most European countries will need ETIAS approval. The system will require a €20 (approx. £17) fee and is linked directly to the passport. Most applications are processed within minutes, but additional checks may cause delays. Travellers are advised to apply well in advance.
Michelle Cooper warned that failing to obtain valid ETIAS could lead to denied boarding, and travel insurance is unlikely to cover associated costs. Similar systems like ESTA for the US are already in place, and travellers are responsible for ensuring they have correct authorisation before departure.
