British travellers will soon be required to pay for entry into 30 European countries under a new travel scheme.

As a consequence of Brexit, UK passport holders must register with the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) to gain access to certain European nations.

The ETIAS travel authorisation is an entry requirement for visa-exempt nationals visiting a selected group of 30 European countries.

With a valid ETIAS travel authorisation, travellers are free to enter these European countries as frequently as they wish for short-term stays, typically up to 90 days within any 180-day period.

Initially, an ETIAS was expected to cost 7 euros per person, however EU officials have since announced the travel permit will cost nearly triple that figure, at 20 euros per eligible traveller.

Travellers aged under 18 or over 70 are exempt, meaning a family of four travelling with two children would face a total cost of 40 euros.

The scheme has faced several delays and, earlier this year, the EU's Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs estimated that ETIAS will be introduced in the final quarter of 2026.

Gov.uk guidance states: "The European Union will announce the specific date for the start of ETIAS before its launch."

The ETIAS is stored electronically against the passport and will be necessary for travel to the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.

It will also be required for travel to Cyprus when it becomes a member of the Schengen area.