Good news for Brits travelling to Spain: the new ETIAS permits from Brussels have been pushed back again

BRITONS travelling to Spain won’t have to apply until the end of next year and a quarter for the soon to be mandatory European travel authorization, confirmed Brussels authorities.

The EU’s new European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) is still set to roll out in late 2026, as planned – but a six-month grace period means it will only become fully mandatory in April 2027.

Often compared to the US ESTA system, ETIAS will require visa-exempt visitors from countries including the UK, US, Canada, and Australia to apply online and pay a €20 fee before entering the Schengen Area.

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The delay has been caused by the EU biometric Entry/Exit System’s (EES) wider rollout, which will record fingerprints and facial pictures of non-EU travelers.

In April 2026, the system will be fully deployed at all Spanish airports.

Spain’s tourism sector has welcomed this extra breathing room. It says it does not want to add ETIAS onto the EES rollout at a time when visitor numbers are on the rise.

Spain’s airport operator AENA has added that this delay will allow staff to receive more training and coordinate their efforts before the new checks come into effect.

As soon as ETIAS is implemented, airlines must verify the passengers’ authorization before departing.

The ETIAS permits allows travellers to visit Schengen countries up to 3 years (or their passport expires) with a single permit.

EU passport holders continue to be exempt.

The Olive Press Travel News is available here.