Italy Joins Uk, Spain, Slovenia And More To Witness The Massive Surge In Events That Require New Visa Requirements

Published on August 23, 2025

Europe successful 2026 is group to big an unprecedented number of major events, ranging from nan Winter Olympics successful Italy to nan Eurovision Song Contest successful Austria, and nan UEFA Futsal Euro crossed Latvia, Lithuania, and Slovenia. These high-profile sporting competitions, business conferences, and taste celebrations are expected to pull travelers from astir nan world. With this surge successful events comes nan request for caller visa requirements, including nan Schengen visa for galore countries and nan preamble of nan ETIAS recreation authorization system. As Europe continues to fortify its world appeal, world attendees must guarantee they are well-prepared for nan recreation logistics and introduction procedures of 2026.

Winter Olympics 2026 – Milan & Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy

One of nan astir anticipated events successful 2026 will beryllium nan Winter Olympics, group to return spot successful Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy. Scheduled from February 6 to 22, 2026, this world sporting arena will characteristic complete 100 competitions crossed 8 sports, including nan debut of skis mountaineering. The games will beryllium an fantabulous opportunity for visitors to witnesser world-class athleticism successful immoderate of Italy’s astir scenic locations.

For non-EU visitors readying to be nan Winter Olympics, a Schengen visa will beryllium required. Italy, arsenic portion of nan Schengen Area, mandates this visa for travelers from countries extracurricular nan EU aliases European Economic Area (EEA). The Schengen visa allows visitors to move freely betwixt aggregate European countries, making it convenient for those readying to research different parts of Europe earlier aliases aft nan event.

Eurovision Song Contest 2026 – Vienna, Austria

The Eurovision Song Contest, 1 of Europe’s astir colorful and entertaining taste events, will return spot successful Vienna, Austria successful May 2026. This iconic euphony competition, which features artists from crossed Europe and beyond, draws millions of fans each year. With three expansive nights of music, nan Eurovision Song Contest will beryllium held from May 12 to 16, 2026.

Non-EU travelers wishing to be nan arena will request to use for a Schengen visa to participate Austria. Given nan fame of nan event, it is advisable to use for nan visa good successful advance. The visa will besides let introduction into different Schengen countries, offering an added use for those wanting to research neighboring regions.

UEFA Futsal Euro 2026 – Latvia, Lithuania & Slovenia

For futsal fans, nan UEFA Futsal Euro 2026 will beryllium held crossed Latvia, Lithuania, and Slovenia from January 20 to February 7, 2026. As a awesome indoor shot championship, this arena will showcase nan champion futsal teams successful Europe, offering fast-paced matches successful arenas crossed these 3 big countries.

Visitors to nan arena will request a Schengen visa if they are coming from extracurricular nan EU. As nan arena will beryllium dispersed crossed aggregate big countries, a Schengen visa will make it easier to recreation betwixt Latvia, Lithuania, and Slovenia, enhancing nan acquisition for attendees who wish to sojourn aggregate locations.

European Athletics Championships 2026 – Birmingham, UK

The European Athletics Championships 2026 will beryllium hosted successful Birmingham, UK from August 10 to 16, 2026. This prestigious arena will bring together nan champion way and section athletes from crossed nan continent, offering a unsocial opportunity to spot top-tier diversion title successful nan bosom of nan UK.

For travelers from extracurricular nan EU, a UK visa will beryllium required to be nan championships. This visa will let entree to nan United Kingdom but will not beryllium valid for recreation to different EU countries. For those readying to sojourn different European destinations, abstracted recreation arrangements and visas whitethorn beryllium necessary.

2026 Commonwealth Games – Glasgow, Scotland

Another cardinal arena successful 2026 will beryllium nan Commonwealth Games, group to return spot successful Glasgow, Scotland, from July 23 to August 2, 2026. The Commonwealth Games characteristic athletes from countries crossed nan erstwhile British Empire, competing successful a wide scope of sports, from swimming and athletics to rugby and netball.

Travelers from non-EU countries will request to unafraid a UK visa to be nan event. The process tin return respective weeks, truthful early exertion is recommended. Visitors tin bask nan sights of Glasgow and different parts of Scotland, though for illustration nan European Athletics Championships, this visa will not screen recreation to EU countries.

Phocuswright Europe – Barcelona, Spain

For business travelers and exertion enthusiasts, nan Phocuswright Europe Conference successful Barcelona, Spain, will beryllium 1 of nan premier events successful nan recreation exertion sector. Scheduled for June 16–17, 2026, this convention will bring together leaders successful nan travel, tourism, and hospitality industries to talk nan latest trends and innovations.

Non-EU travelers will request a Schengen visa to be nan Phocuswright Conference successful Spain. This visa will assistance entree to nan Schengen Area, allowing attendees to besides research adjacent countries earlier aliases aft nan event.

EASL Congress 2026 – Barcelona, Spain

The EASL (European Association for nan Study of nan Liver) Congress successful Barcelona, Spain, will return spot successful 2026, though nan nonstop dates are yet to beryllium confirmed. This awesome arena successful nan section of hepatology will pull starring experts successful liver illness investigation and treatment.

For those attending from extracurricular nan EU, a Schengen visa will beryllium required. As pinch nan Phocuswright Conference, attendees will use from nan expertise to research not only Spain but different Schengen countries during their visit.

Visa and Travel Authorization Updates

As world recreation continues to evolve, caller visa and recreation authorization systems are being implemented. Starting successful late 2026, travelers from complete 60 non-EU countries, including nan United States, Canada, and India, will beryllium required to use for nan European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS). This system, which is expected to switch immoderate existing visa requirements for short-term travelers, will streamline nan introduction process but still require a elemental online exertion and a mini interest of astir €7.

Additionally, nan Entry/Exit System (EES) is group to statesman connected October 12, 2025, and will require biometric information (fingerprints and facial scans) from travelers entering nan EU. This caller strategy will heighten separator information and amended nan guidance of arrivals successful nan Schengen Area.

Conclusion

Europe successful 2026 will beryllium a twelvemonth afloat of breathtaking events, from nan Winter Olympics successful Italy to sporting competitions successful nan UK, arsenic good arsenic high-profile business and world conferences. For non-EU travelers readying to be these events, obtaining nan correct visa aliases recreation authorization is essential. Whether it’s a Schengen visa for astir of nan events aliases a UK visa for those visiting nan UK, early mentation will guarantee soft travel. With nan added implementation of ETIAS and EES, travelers should enactment informed and scheme up to debar immoderate delays aliases complications.

Sources

Kiplinger: Travel Updates for US Citizens successful 2026

The Sun: Travel Entry and Exit Rules for Europe

The Times: ETIAS Travel Authorization Information