Planning to travel in 2026? Here’s your guide to every new travel requirement Aussies need to know
Updated . First published
It's not just your passport you need to make sure is up to date when you're going on holiday.
Multiple other requirements are in place for different countries. From visas and visa waivers to paying tourist taxes there can be a long list of things to do. Here are all the news details you need to know for 2026.
Cruise passengers arriving in Mexico are going to need to pay more. Getty
Tourist hotspot doubles cruise fee for travellers
Cruise passengers will need to up their spend when visiting the popular tourist spots in Mexico after the cruise tax for arriving travellers was doubled.
From August 1, the fee for foreign tourists visiting the country via cruise ships jumped from $5 to $10 per person.
Called “Non-Resident Duty”, the charge is collected from passengers by cruise lines or shipping agents.
Read more
For the first time, this airport has been named the world’s busiest for international travellers
It is only the first in a series of increases set to occur. On July 1, 2027, the fee will increase to $15 and later rise to again $21 on August 1, 2028.
“While it’s not horrible and likely won’t be a deal-breaker for most tourists, it’s another example of prices going up for travel across the board, and it’s frustrating as a consumer rights advocate,” Clinter Henderson, managing editor of the travel site The Points Guy, told Fox News.
In 2025, Mexico welcomed 11.2 million cruise passengers via 3,156 ship arrivals, according to reports.
The fee will jump another two times between now and 2028. iStock
Japan quintuples entry visa fees for visitors
Japan has introduced a steep increase to its entry visa fees from July 1.
The single entry visa fee has increased from 3000 yen (approx. $27) to 15,000 yen ($132) and the multiple entry visa will rise from around $53 to $265.
The change won’t impact Australian tourists arriving via visa-free entry to Japan for stays of up to 90 days.
However, working holiday-makers and Australians travelling to Japan for work or immigration are likely to be affected.
Japan is quintupling the entry visa fees for visitors. Getty
It’s not all bad news for Aussies, as the Japanese currency has dropped to its lowest level against the US dollar in nearly 40 years.
The country’s historically low inflation rate of 1.5 per cent offers Australian travellers more spending power and value for money.
It comes after a new accommodation tax was also introduced to help combat overtourism.
As of March 1, 2026, the historic city of Kyoto in Japan slapped an extra fee on hotel prices.
It will be tiered depending on the cost of the accommodation.
From March the historic city of Kyoto has added an extra fee on hotel prices. Getty
At hotels in the $500 and $1,000 per night range, it’ll cost $40 a night extra in tax, while a $10 a night tax will apply to guests at hotels costing $200 to $500 a night.
That’s an increase of ten times what the city’s initial tourist tax cost, and will add a decent amount to Aussies’ holidays.
Thailand slashes visa-free travel in half
The beloved low-cost holiday spot has announced it will reduce the number of days that foreign tourists can stay visa-free in the country from 60 to 30, in a bid to fight crime.
Thailand has halved its visa-free travel scheme. Getty Images/iStockphoto
Previously, Aussie travellers could stay in Thailand for up to 60 days without needing to apply for a visa, a policy that was introduced in 2024 to draw in tourists post-COVID.
Though the change has been approved, there is no clear timeline for when it will come into effect.
The changes affect tourists from over 90 countries, including Australia, New Zealand, the UK, and the US.
The Thai government says that it is a move to crack down on crimes committed by foreigners who come to the country and exploit the lengthy visa-free window.
Standard tourists can still enter visa-free, but you will only be stamped in for 30 days upon arrival.
Thailand is a hotspot for Aussie tourists. Getty Images/iStockphoto
Brett Mitchell, Managing Director ANZ at Intrepid Travel told nine.com.au the impacts won’t be felt by the majority of Aussie travellers, who tend to visit for just two to three weeks.
"Thirty days is still a generous window for a holiday, but if you're planning to move between regions or take things slowly, you need to map that out upfront rather than figuring it out when you arrive."
He still recommends doing adequate research before booking a trip, not after you land. "Know how long you're planning to stay, check whether you need a visa extension if you're going longer than 30 days, and build your itinerary around the new window."
For Aussies who want to stay longer than 30 days, they can renew visas once by visiting an immigration office, a government spokeswoman told AFP, per the ABC.
Expect border security to more strictly enforce standard entry requirements, such as proving you have an onward/return ticket, a hotel booking, and sufficient funds for your trip.
Always check entry requirements before travelling. Neil Hall/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
New arrival form for Vietnam
As of April 15, 2026, foreign nationals arriving in Vietnam must complete a digital arrival card before reaching immigration, and skipping it could mean a longer wait at the border.
The system is currently confirmed for Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City, one of the country's busiest gateways.
The form can be completed within 72 hours before arrival and includes details such as passport, flight number, accommodation address, and purpose of visit.
It follows similar requirements for travellers by other countries in Southeast Asia, such as Thailand and Singapore, and is expected to be rolled out at more entry points across the country.
READ MORE: 'What it's like travelling to the US right now from Australia'
Vietnam introduces new entry requirements for travellers. Getty Images/iStockphoto
New entry system for Europe
Europe's new EES (Entry Exit system) is now in full force. It first started on October 12, 2025 and was gradually rolled out, before being fully implemented by April 10.
The new rules apply to Aussies, who don't need a visa to go to Europe. However they will need to comply with the new rules, which don't have a cost.
The first time travellers get to a border, such as an airport or even London's Eurostar terminal, they'll have a photo and fingerprints taken.
Subsequent times, this data will have been saved, so there's no need to do this again.
Travellers with biometric passports, such as ones used by Aussies, will be able to use the self-service system.
Vienna is one of the EU nations with new rules. Getty
Nothing has changed on the amount of time Aussies can stay.
If you are visiting any of the 29 countries in the Schengen Area, you are usually allowed to stay for a maximum of 90 days within any 180-day period.
A new system, the ETIAS is also due at the end of the year. This will be like a visa waiver and will apply to 30 countries. It will valid for up to three years or until the passport expires.
Aussies will need one, but firm details have not yet been revealed. It's mooted to cost around $35.
Eurostar passengers will undergo new checks to go to Europe. Getty
New fee to see famous landmark
Tossing a coin into Rome's Trevi Fountain has become a must-do on a visit to the Eternal City.
However it comes with an extra price to try and combat over tourism.
Visitors now need to pay around $3.40 (two Euro) to walk up to the fountain to throw their coins and pose for photos.
You now have to pay to visit the Trevi Fountain in Rome. Vincenzo Livieri/Reuters via CNN Newsource
Pictures show ticket barriers set up around the landmark. It is still free before 11am on weekdays and 9am on weekends and after 10pm at night.
Authorities tested the idea in 2024. and saw a drop in crowds.
It follows a similar ticket system set up at another Rome hotspot, the Pantheon.
China extends visa-free holidays
This year will bring benefits of longer visa-free visits for Aussies.
The Asian country has extended its visa-free entry scheme for 45 countries, including Australia, to the end of 2026.
This means that if you have an Australian passport, you can visit China for up to 30 days without a visa.
Visitors from eligible countries can enter China for business, tourism, family visits or transit for up to 30 days without a visa. Getty
The visa-free scheme for Australians was first introduced in 2024 with a 15-day limit, but it was later extended to 30 days.
The move was part of a plan to help boost tourism between the two countries
Visitors from eligible countries can enter China for business, tourism, family visits or transit for up to 30 days without a visa.
South Korea extends visa-free travel
Visits to South Korea are on the up, but planned changes to visa free travel have now been put off to 2027.
From then Aussies need to get a Korea Electronic Travel Authorisation (K-ETA) costing $10.60. The K-ETA is a visa waiver, allowing stays of up to 90 days.
It takes around 72 hours to come through.
But for 2026, you're able to go visa free.
Changes are coming in 2027 for holidays in South Korea. Getty
Edinburgh to levy tourists
The Scottish capital will start a tourist tax on 24 July, 2026. It'll be a five per cent extra fee on the cost of overnight accommodation.
It will only be charged on the first five nights' stay, and added to the hotel bill.
Victoria Street in the Old Town of Edinburgh, Scotland. Getty
UK changes
The UK introduced a new visa waiver-style system last year. However in 2026 the new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) will be properly enforced.
From February 2026, visitors will not be able to travel to the UK without it.
READ MORE: Deb Knight answers cruise question everyone's been asking
The UK introduced a new visa waiver-style system this year. Getty
The UK government says enforcing it will mean that everyone who is not British needs an ETA or an eVisa. Airlines will be checking people before they travel.
The ETA, which is available to Aussies, costs $20 and lasts for two years.
Only official sites should be used to apply as scams are rife.
