2026 is going to throw up some new challenges for Britons heading to Spain and the Schengen Zone. To begin with one important issue is if travelling with the “old” burgundy passport, according to the British government which has issued a reminder to British travellers. Since the UK left the European Union in 2020, UK passport holders are now seen as ‘third-country nationals’ by EU and Schengen countries. This means the entry rules have changed. And many UK holidaymakers are still being caught out by them.
Passports issued after 2018 are valid for exactly 10 years. But if your passport was issued before September 2018, it might be valid for up to 10 years and nine months. This is because, before 2018, the passport office would add up to nine extra months from your old passport to your new one.
According to the British government Spain follows Schengen area rules.
Your passport must:
have a ‘date of issue’ less than 10 years before the date you arrive – if you renewed your passport before 1 October 2018, it may have a date of issue that is more than 10 years ago
have an ‘expiry date’ at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave the Schengen area (the expiry date does not need to be within 10 years of the date of issue) Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.
You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.
The government advice at the moment is:
You do not need a visa for short trips to the EU or countries in the Schengen area if both of the following apply:
you’re staying for 90 days or less in a 180-day period
you’re visiting as a tourist or for certain other reasons
Other reasons include:
studying a short course
getting medical
treatment
travelling for business for your UK employer, for example to attend a business meeting or conference
journalism or other
media activities
Furthermore, be aware of the rules and regulations if travelling to countries in the Schengen area for up to 90 days in a 180-day period. You can travel to more than one country in a 180-day period. How long you can stay in each country depends on whether or not it’s in the Schengen area. Then later next year, the ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) is scheduled to start operations in the last quarter of 2026 (Q4 2026), launching several months after the new Entry/Exit System (EES) becomes fully operational, and will require visa-exempt travellers to get an online authorisation before visiting Europe.
With a valid ETIAS travel authorisation, you can enter the territory of these European countries as often as you want for short-term stays - normally for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. However, it does not guarantee entry. When you arrive, a border guard will ask to see your passport and other documents and verify that you meet the entry conditions. Your ETIAS travel authorisation is valid for three years or until the travel document you used in your application expires - whichever comes first.
It is for short-term stays: a valid ETIAS travel authorisation entitles you to stay in the European countries requiring ETIAS for up to 90 days within any 180-day period. You must be in possession of a valid ETIAS travel authorisation during your entire stay in the European countries requiring ETIAS. You can leave and come back at any time, as long as you respect the time limits mentioned above.
On arrival at the border
As your ETIAS travel authorisation is linked to your travel document, make sure to carry the same document which you used in your ETIAS application. Otherwise, you will not be allowed to board your flight, bus or ship, or to enter any of the European country requiring ETIAS. Having a valid ETIAS travel authorisation does not guarantee an automatic right of entry. When you arrive at the border, border guards will verify that you meet the entry conditions. Those travellers who do not meet the entry conditions will be refused entry. The ETIAS travel authorization will cost €20 for the application fee, though those under 18 or over 70 are exempt. This fee is for adults aged 18-70, and you’ll need a credit or debit card to pay it online or via the official mobile app once ETIAS becomes operational.