Passports, boarding passes and a well-stocked snack bag once covered the basics of a family trip abroad. Yet 2026 brought a run of new laws and systems, and several of them now affect the journey long before anyone reaches the departure gate.
*This is a collaborative post
Some changes apply at borders, while others cover cabin bags and customs on the way home. Parliament also passed the Tobacco and Vapes Act in April, adding new rules for shops and travellers.
Because these updates arrived at different times, they are easy to miss when booking. Here’s what changed and what each rule means for families planning their next holiday.
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Border Checks Now Begin Before Departure
Digital permissions replaced several paper-based steps this year, and airlines, ferry operators and rail companies now check them before boarding. Since each system applies to a different group of travellers, the details matter for mixed-nationality families and visiting relatives.
The three systems below cover journeys into the UK and into Europe.
The UK ETA Is Now Enforced
Since 25 February 2026, visitors from 85 visa-free nationalities, including the US, Canada and France, cannot travel to the UK without an Electronic Travel Authorisation. So grandparents or friends flying in from those countries need one before departure, and each child needs their own.
Dual British citizens do not need an ETA, since British and Irish citizens are exempt. Yet the UK government strongly advises them to carry a valid British passport or a certificate of entitlement, because travelling on another nationality’s passport alone could lead to being denied boarding.Â
Europe’s Entry/Exit System Is Fully Live
The EU’s Entry/Exit System became fully operational on 10 April 2026, and it replaced passport stamps across 29 European countries with digital records. On a first crossing, travellers aged 12 and over give four fingerprints and a facial image, while younger children only have their photograph taken.
Later trips need a single biometric check, although the first weeks brought long queues at some airports. For Dover, Eurotunnel and Eurostar journeys, these checks happen in the UK before departure, so extra time at the port pays off.
ETIAS Has No Confirmed Date
The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) is the EU’s upcoming travel authorisation for visitors who do not need a visa, including UK passport holders. Once it launches, travellers will apply online before visiting any of 30 European countries for short stays of up to 90 days, and an approval will be linked to the passport used to apply.
The EU had pointed to late 2026 for the launch. Yet the official ETIAS website now lists no start date and confirms that no applications are being collected.
So families booking European trips for the coming months do not need to apply for anything yet. The EU has also said it will announce a launch date several months in advance.
What Changed Inside the Cabin Bag
Security scanners and airline safety policies moved at different speeds in 2026, so packing rules now depend on the airport, the airline and the destination. Customs allowances on the way home also changed.
These are the three packing points that changed this year.
- Liquids in hand luggage: Heathrow, Gatwick, Edinburgh and Birmingham now accept containers of up to 2 litres, while Manchester, Luton and Stansted still apply the 100ml limit. So a large bottle of suncream could clear security at one UK airport but be refused at another, and liquids under 100ml avoid the issue altogether.
- Power banks: Since 15 January 2026, Lufthansa Group airlines, including Swiss, have banned the use and charging of power banks on board, and passengers can carry no more than two. Children’s tablets therefore need a full charge before boarding, especially as other airlines have introduced similar limits.
- Vapes and e-liquid: From 1 October 2026, travellers aged 17 and over arriving in England, Scotland or Wales can bring back up to 50ml of vaping liquid duty-free, including liquid inside prefilled pods, and anything above that needs declaring. Stocking up on shortfill e-liquids abroad needs care, as a single 100ml bottle exceeds the limit. These e-liquid restrictions arrive alongside a new duty of £2.20 per 10ml on UK vape juice, while the Tobacco and Vapes Act gives ministers powers over vape flavours and packaging.
Small Checks That Keep Trips on Track
An ETA is digitally linked to the passport used to apply, so a renewed passport needs a new ETA before the next visit. Since UK and US passports for young children are valid for five years, visiting relatives with little ones should check expiry dates alongside their permissions.
Airport liquid limits can also change as new scanners gain approval. So check the departure airport’s website a week before travel to confirm which rule applies on the day.
Every Change Is Easier to Handle When Known Early
Parts of the Tobacco and Vapes Act do not come into force until 2027, and border systems on both sides of the Channel are still settling in. So next year will bring its own set of updates.
Yet the travelling itself stays the same, and a few minutes of checking before booking keeps the focus on the beaches, castles and ice creams waiting at the other end.
