British Travellers Will Soon Pay €20 to Enter Europe – And That’s Just the Start

Big changes are coming for UK holidaymakers heading to Europe. From late 2026, British travellers will need to pay a €20 (~£17) visa-waiver fee to visit countries like France, Spain, Italy, and Portugal — nearly triple the original proposed cost of €7.

This new system, called Etias, is not a visa, but you’ll need to apply online before travel. Once approved, it’s valid for 3 years (or until your passport expires). Kids under 18 and seniors over 70? They’re exempt.

But that’s not all — from October 12, 2025, the EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES) will also kick in. UK travellers will need to provide fingerprints and a face scan at the border on their first trip, replacing passport stamps. Expect longer queues, especially early on.

Travelling by Eurostar, ferry, or car? Expect new kiosks at stations and ports to handle these checks. There’s also a Travel to Europe app in the works to pre-register your info, but it’s not yet live.

Bottom line:

• Biometric checks start from October 2025 (EES)

• €20 entry fee from late 2026 (Etias)

• Both systems will have transition periods, but they’ll eventually be mandatory

Always use official EU sources for info and avoid third-party sites charging more.