ETIAS travel authorisation 2026: What Spain-based expats and visitors must know

From late 2026, visiting Europe will no longer be as simple as boarding a plane with just a passport. The EU will launch the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), a digital pre-approval required for travellers from 59 visa-exempt countries — including the UK, the US, Canada, and Australia.

For Spain, a nation heavily reliant on tourism, the change will affect millions of visitors each year. Yet for foreign residents already holding a TIE card, nothing will change: ETIAS does not apply to people legally settled in Spain.

Who needs ETIAS and who doesn’t

ETIAS is aimed squarely at short-stay visitors: those coming for up to 90 days within an 180-day period. It is not a visa, but a security measure, similar to the US ESTA.

• Will need ETIAS: tourists, business travellers, family visitors from visa-exempt countries.

• Will not need ETIAS: EU citizens, Spanish nationals, and expats legally resident in Spain with a valid TIE card. Residency allows free movement across the Schengen area without additional authorisation.

What ETIAS means in practice

Approved ETIAS applications will be linked electronically to a traveller’s passport and remain valid for up to three years, or until that passport expires. With it, travellers can come and go as often as they wish — provided they respect the 90/180-day rule.

Cyprus is the exception: stays there are counted separately. At the border, however, officials still have the final say, and travellers may be asked to provide proof of funds, accommodation, or onward travel.

Applying for ETIAS

Applications will open on the official ETIAS website and app in 2026. The fee is €20, though some travellers are exempt. While most requests will be approved in minutes, more complex cases could take up to 30 days if further checks or interviews are needed.

For this reason, the EU advises applying well ahead of travel — ideally before booking flights or hotels.

Why the EU is introducing ETIAS

The project has been years in the making, sparked by concerns over border management, irregular migration and terrorism. Similar systems elsewhere have shown that pre-screening visitors speeds up border crossings while identifying risks in advance.

For Spain’s tourism sector, the new rules will require clear communication to avoid confusion among visitors who may assume “visa-free” means unchanged.

ETIAS travel authorisation 2026 – FAQs

Do British expats in Spain need ETIAS?
No. If you are legally resident in Spain and hold a valid TIE card, you are exempt. ETIAS is only for non-residents visiting Europe short-term.

Does ETIAS replace a visa?
No. ETIAS is not a visa. It is a digital pre-authorisation for visa-exempt travellers, similar to the US ESTA.

When does ETIAS start?
The system is scheduled to begin in the final quarter of 2026. The EU will announce the exact start date several months in advance.

How much does ETIAS cost?
The fee will be €20 per person, though some categories of traveller will be exempt from payment.

How long is ETIAS valid for?
Up to three years, or until your passport expires — whichever comes first. A new passport requires a new ETIAS.

Does ETIAS guarantee entry to Spain?
No. A valid ETIAS allows you to travel, but border guards still decide if you meet entry requirements.

What if my ETIAS application is refused?
You will be told the reasons in writing and given details on how and where to appeal.

Can I still travel within the Schengen area with ETIAS?
Yes. Once granted, ETIAS allows you to move between the 30 participating countries for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.

Key checklist for travellers

• Apply online in advance of your trip.

• Ensure your passport details exactly match your ETIAS approval.

• Keep your authorisation valid for the length of your stay.

• Respect the 90-day limit in Schengen.

• Carry the same passport you applied with — otherwise boarding may be refused.

No action for now

The EU will confirm the precise launch date several months before ETIAS goes live. Until then, travellers don’t need to take any action. But for Spain-based expats, the message is simple: if you hold a valid residency card (TIE), you are exempt from ETIAS.

For the rest of the world’s tourists, late 2026 will mark a new chapter in Europe’s approach to border security — one that reshapes how millions of people arrive in Spain and beyond.

EU entry/exit scheme – what travellers to Spain need to know