Some good news for Britons bound for Europe later this year. After the nightmare many have had to put up with because of the new EES entry/exit system, British travellers heading for Spain have been granted a further extension, following confirmation by the European Union of a further delay in its long-planned new travel authorisation system. The EU’s European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) will be implemented, as planned, in the final months of 2026, but it will now be followed by a six-month transition period. As a result, the permit will not be mandatory until at least April 2027.
Often compared to the US ESTA system, ETIAS will require visa-exempt visitors from countries such as the UK, US, Canada and Australia to apply online and pay a 20 euro fee, it was 7 to begin with, before entering the Schengen Area. The latest postponement is linked to the gradual rollout of the EU’s new biometric Entry/Exit System (EES), which records the fingerprints and facial images of non-EU travellers.
Spain began pilot testing the system in Madrid, Palma and other key airports in late 2025, and it is expected to be fully operational by April 2026. Leaders in Spain’s tourism sector have welcomed the delay, which removes the prospect of additional bureaucracy and costs during a period of strong recovery in arrivals. Industry figures had warned that an earlier rollout could have caused confusion at airports, especially during peak seasons for long-haul visitors.
Spanish airport operator AENA said the extra time will allow border and ground staff to receive further training and ensure the coordinated operation of both systems. When ETIAS finally comes into force, airlines will be required to verify passengers’ authorisation before departure. Travellers will need a single ETIAS permit to visit multiple Schengen countries, valid for up to three years or until their passport expires. EU passport holders will be exempt.
EU officials say the delay reflects ongoing technical challenges in interconnecting national border databases. Critics, however, argue that political considerations about the risk of discouraging travel during a still fragile economic recovery have also played a role. In any case, travellers from the UK to Spain have at least another year before the new system becomes a reality.