Yes, travelers over 70 need to obtain an ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) authorization to visit European countries requiring it, but they are exempt from the €20 application fee. While they must complete the online application, the fee is waived for those aged 71 and above.
The ETIAS authorisation will last for three years (after which it will need to be renewed for future visits), or until the holder's passport expires (whichever is sooner). It will cost €20 for people aged 18 to 70. However, it will be free for under-18s and over-70s.
If you are travelling on a visa, you don't need an ETIAS. Irish passport holders are exempt from ETIAS. If you are a British passport holder but have EU residency you also don't need an ETIAS.
ETIAS is the new travel authorisation for visa-exempt travellers to enter 30 European countries. ETIAS will start operations in the last quarter of 2026. No action is required from travellers at this point.
People from 59 visa-exempt countries will be required to have a travel authorisation to enter 30 European countries for a short stay. It is valid for up to three years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. If you get a new passport, you need to get a new ETIAS travel authorisation.
When will ETIAS be implemented? All Details 2025 2026
Can I travel to Europe without an ETIAS?
No, you do not need an ETIAS travel authorisation if you only remain in the international transit area. However, you must have a valid travel authorisation if you leave this area and enter the territory of any of the European countries requiring ETIAS.
Yes, UK citizens will need an ETIAS authorization to travel to most European countries for short stays (up to 90 days) once the system launches, currently expected in late 2026, as it's a mandatory pre-entry requirement for visa-exempt nationals, similar to the US ESTA. This applies to the Schengen Area and other countries like Cyprus, Bulgaria, and Romania, but not Ireland due to the Common Travel Area.
Yes, the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) has been delayed and is now scheduled to start in the last quarter (Q4) of 2026, with a definitive date to be announced later, impacting visa-exempt travellers needing an authorization to enter the Schengen Area. This pushback is linked to the staggered rollout of the Entry/Exit System (EES) and technical readiness, with the €20 fee also pending its official entry into force.
Starting January 8, 2025, U.S. citizens traveling to the United Kingdom for short visits, tourism, or business, including those just passing through UK airports, will need an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) if they do not have a UK visa or legal residency in the UK or the Republic of Ireland.
Is Spain exempt britons under 18 and over 70 from the new € 20 ETIAS travel fee?
At a glance: From late 2026, UK travellers will need to apply for ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) travel authorisation before visiting Spain and 29 other European countries. Applications will cost €20 for adults aged 18–69, while travellers aged over 70 and under 18 are exempt from the fee.
No, you cannot apply for ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) yet, as it is not operational; it's scheduled to start in the last quarter of 2026, with applications opening a few months prior via an official website or app, requiring a €20 fee for most travelers.
Retirement from paid work at the age of 65, and often earlier, has been the norm in the EU until recent years. The age at which people retire differs across the EU Member States and has been rising.
While many European countries only allow people over the age of 18 to drive on their roads, there is generally no upper age limit. Remember to renew your UK driving licence every three years once you reach 70, though. That way, it will remain valid at home and abroad.
When will ETIAS go into effect? ETIAS is scheduled to be introduced in the last quarter of 2026. The exact date will be announced at least six (6) months before the system enters into operation. The Entry/Exit System (explained further) will begin on October 12, 2025.
The ETIAS applies to travelers from visa-exempt countries, including the US, UK, Canada, Australia, Japan, and many others. If you previously entered Europe without a visa, you will now need an ETIAS.
Starting in May 2025, travelers from over 60 visa- exempt countries, including the U.S., will need to obtain an ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System) authorization to enter most European countries.
ETIAS Implementation Pushed Back to 2027, Giving Travellers and Employers Breathing Room. The European Union has quietly confirmed that the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS)—the pre-travel clearance scheme for visa-exempt visitors—will not become mandatory until at least April 2027.
If your travel document will expire in less than three months from your planned departure date, you may face refusal at the border, even if your ETIAS travel authorization is approved.
Is ETIAS a travel authorization for EU delayed until April 2027?
A transition period of six months is planned after ETIAS starts operating, during which travellers will be able to enter without an ETIAS authorisation while the system is rolled out. Under the revised calendar, the authorisation will not become a condition of boarding until at least April 2027.
Avoid carrying your passport unless needed for travel, especially in tourist areas. Instead, carry a copy or photo of your passport's bio page. Consider leaving your passport in a secure place, like a hotel safe. You will need your passport to check in to any hotel in Spain, and you may need it for trains.
Every ETIAS applicant will be asked to provide answers to the same set of questions. They will be asked for: name, place and date of birth, gender, nationality, parents' names. any other names or nationalities.
