ETIAS delayed until 2027: No new travel permit needed for UK visitors to the Canaries in 2026
UK travellers and holidaymakers planning trips to Spain, the Canary Islands, or elsewhere in Europe can breathe a sigh of relief: the long-awaited ETIAS travel authorisation has been delayed once again and will not become mandatory until at least spring 2027.
The latest update, confirms that the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) will not be introduced in 2026 as previously expected. This means UK holidaymakers will continue travelling exactly as they do now, without needing to apply for any new permit when visiting the Canary Islands this year.
What is ETIAS and when will it start?
ETIAS is similar to the US ESTA system. It will eventually require visa-free travellers — including those from the UK, the US, Canada and Australia — to fill in a short online form and pay a €20 fee before entering the Schengen zone. Once approved, the authorisation will be valid for multiple trips for up to three years, or until the traveller’s passport expires, whichever is the sooner. EU nationals will not need ETIAS.
Although originally expected years earlier, the EU now plans to begin introducing the system in late 2026, followed by a six-month transition period. That pushes the earliest start date for mandatory use to April 2027.
The delay is linked to ongoing upgrades to EU border systems, particularly full implementation of the new biometric Entry/Exit System (EES).
Spain has already started testing the EU’s new biometric Entry/Exit System (EES), which will register fingerprints and facial images of non-EU visitors at border control. Trial runs began in late 2025, with full implementation expected by April of this year.
Tourism officials in Spain had expressed concerns that launching EES and ETIAS too close together could lead to long queues and confusion at airports during the busiest travel periods. Airport operator AENA has welcomed the extra time, saying it will help staff training and ensure new technology is fully settled before an additional layer of checks is added.
With visitor numbers continuing to rise, the tourism sector is keen to avoid anything that might disrupt travel plans or discourage holidays to Spain.
What travellers need to know
Once ETIAS becomes compulsory, airlines will need to check each passenger’s authorisation before boarding. Anyone who has not applied may be refused travel.
EU officials say ETIAS will ultimately make border crossings more efficient and secure, though technical work is still needed to link databases across member states. Some observers also suggest the EU is being cautious about introducing new barriers during a period of economic sensitivity.
For now, the key point for British travellers is simple: in 2026 you can visit Spain and the rest of Europe exactly as before — no ETIAS, no fees, and no extra paperwork. Your passport is still all you need.
Timelines could change again, but holidaymakers have been given at least another year before the new system takes effect.
Share:
