Brits planning to travel to Spain, France, Italy and many other countries could be turned away over a new rule due to come into force next year.

UK and other non-EU travellers will soon be required to pay for entry into 30 European countries as part of a new travel scheme. Due to Brexit, UK passport holders will need to 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 select group of 30 European countries. With a valid ETIAS travel authorisation, travellers can enter these European countries as frequently as desired for short-term stays, typically up to 90 days within any 180-day period.

Initially, an ETIAS was said to cost 7 euros per person, but now EU chiefs have stated the travel permit will cost almost triple that, at 20 euros per eligible traveller.

Travellers aged under 18 or over 70 are exempt, so for a family of four travelling with two children, the cost would be 40 euros.

The scheme has been delayed several times, and earlier this year the EU's Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs estimated that the ETIAS will be introduced in the final quarter of 2026. There will then be a grace period, so applying for an ETIAS will not become mandatory until 2027.

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.

The same will apply to Cyprus once it becomes a part of the Schengen area.

And while most applications are anticipated to be approved "almost immediately", there could be instances where an ETIAS request is declined due to errors.

Possible reasons for rejection might include an invalid passport, being deemed a "risk" or having a Schengen Information System (SIS) alert, submitting an incomplete application, or failing to attend a mandatory interview.

If you don't have a valid ETIAS, you won't be allowed into any of the above countries. However, in case of an ETIAS application rejection, you have the right to appeal.