Travel Rules For Canadians Visiting The Eu

Canadians are generally allowed to travel to the EU, but there are some requirements they need to meet. From mid-2025, Canadians will have to apply to the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) to visit the 30 countries in the Schengen Area. This includes all European Union countries (except Ireland) and European Economic Area countries, as well as Switzerland. The ETIAS is an electronic travel authorisation that Canadians can apply for by providing basic personal information and passport details. The authorisation is valid for three years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first, and it allows Canadians to stay in the Schengen Area for up to 90 days within any 180-day period for tourism, business, or short-term study. The ETIAS application has a processing fee of €7 or approximately CAD$10.25.

Canadians will need ETIAS authorisation to enter the EU from 2025

Canadians do not currently need a visa to enter Europe for short stays. However, from 2025, Canadians will need to register with the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) to enter the Schengen Area and Cyprus without a visa. This means that Canadians wishing to travel to Europe will need to apply for travel authorisation online in advance.

The ETIAS is a new entry requirement for visa-exempt non-EU visitors travelling to Europe for tourism, business, and short-term study. It is not a visa but an electronic travel authorisation. The ETIAS is similar to the Canadian eTA that foreign visitors need to enter Canada without a visa.

The ETIAS for Canadians works by cross-referencing applicants' information with various security databases. When Canadian passport holders apply for ETIAS, their personal details, travel information, and answers to security questions are checked against databases like the Schengen Information System (SIS), Interpol databases, and Europol data, among others. This process helps identify any potential security, irregular migration, or high epidemic risks.

Most ETIAS applications are approved following automatic processing. If a potential risk is detected, the application is reviewed manually by the responsible ETIAS National Unit.

The ETIAS improves the traveller experience by providing greater peace of mind and more efficient border processes. Security checks are carried out in advance, rather than at the border, making immigration procedures faster.

To apply for ETIAS, Canadians can fill out the application form on the official ETIAS website or the ETIAS mobile application. The application costs EUR 7, but some travellers, including those under 18 and over 70, are exempt from paying this fee. It is recommended to apply for ETIAS at least 96 hours before departure.

Once approved, the ETIAS is linked to the Canadian passport used in the application and is valid for three years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first. Canadians can then enter the 30 European countries in the Schengen Area as often as they want for short-term stays, usually up to 90 days within any 180-day period. It is important to note that the ETIAS does not guarantee entry, and border guards will still verify that travellers meet the entry conditions.

The ETIAS application costs €7

The ETIAS, or European Travel Information and Authorisation System, will cost €7 for applicants over the age of 18. The fee is waived for those under 18 and over 70, but they will still need to apply for authorisation. The ETIAS is a visa waiver pre-screening programme for visitors who don't need a Schengen visa and are intending to travel to the European Union. It is designed to protect and strengthen the EU's borders and is similar to the ESTA system used by the United States. The ETIAS will grant travellers the right to enter and stay in Europe for up to 90 days over a period of six months.

The €7 fee must be paid online using a valid debit or credit card. If the payment is declined or unsuccessful, the application will be put on hold until payment can be made. If the application is approved, the applicant will receive a response directly through email within minutes. However, if the application is doubtful, a response will take approximately 72 hours.

The ETIAS is not a visa and is more accurately described as a visa waiver. It is mandatory for citizens of countries such as the United States, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada. The ETIAS will be checked by the traveller's carrier, whether that be air, sea, or international carrier transporting groups overland by coach. If an ETIAS is not approved, the traveller will not be permitted to board.

The ETIAS application asks for basic personal information, such as:

• Information regarding parents
• Details regarding past trips to Europe
• Security information

Canadians can stay in the EU for up to 90 days

Canadians are allowed to travel to the EU, and they can stay in the Schengen Area for up to 90 days without a visa. This area comprises 25 of the 27 EU member states, as well as several other European countries. However, starting in mid-2025, Canadians will need to apply for the ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) to visit the EU. This will require them to complete an online application, provide personal details, answer security questions, and pay a €7 fee. The ETIAS will be valid for three years or until the traveller's passport expires.

The Schengen Area includes the following 29 countries:

• Austria
• Belgium
• Czechia
• Denmark
• Estonia
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• Greece
• Hungary
• Iceland
• Italy
• Latvia
• Liechtenstein
• Lithuania
• Luxembourg
• Malta
• The Netherlands
• Norway
• Poland
• Portugal
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
• Spain
• Sweden
• Switzerland

Canadians can also visit other European countries outside of the Schengen Area without a visa, such as the United Kingdom, where they can stay for up to six months.

It's important to note that the ETIAS is not a visa, and Canadians will still be able to stay in the Schengen Area for up to 90 days without a visa even after the ETIAS is implemented. This means they can continue to travel to Europe for tourism or business purposes without needing to obtain a visa beforehand. However, the ETIAS will add an extra step to the travel process, and travellers should allow for extra time when planning their trips.

The ETIAS application should take less than 10 minutes

The ETIAS, or European Travel Information and Authorisation System, is a new system that some non-EU travellers will have to navigate. It is an electronic visa waiver for citizens of select visa-exempt countries. The ETIAS application is 100% online and should take just a few minutes to fill out. The application will ask for basic personal information, passport data, and travel details. This includes:

• Date and place of birth
• Intended trips to ETIAS countries
• Criminal convictions
• Past travel to conflict zones

Once you have completed the form, you can pay the ETIAS processing fee and submit your application. Most applications are approved at this stage, provided there are no hits in the system. If there is an alert, the application is reviewed manually by the ETIAS National Unit responsible. You will be notified by email when your application is approved.

It is recommended that travellers apply for ETIAS well in advance of their planned departure date to avoid unexpected delays. While most applications will be processed within minutes, some may take up to 30 days if additional information or documentation is required.

Canada has a similar application process for those entering the country

Canadians are allowed to travel to the EU, but this will change in 2025 with the introduction of the ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System). This will require travellers to complete an online application and provide personal and security details. A similar system is already in place for those entering Canada.

Canada requires most foreign citizens wishing to enter the country to obtain a temporary resident visa from one of the Canadian diplomatic missions. However, citizens of 53 countries, including all EU member states, are exempt from this requirement and can visit Canada for up to six months without a visa. These visa-exempt travellers, with the exception of US citizens and permanent residents, have been required to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) when arriving in Canada by air since 2016. The eTA is similar to the US Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA).

The eTA application process involves providing biographic details, passport and background information, including additional citizenship, available funds, employment information, and contact details. Applicants must also answer questions about their health, immigration history, and any convictions. The eTA is valid for multiple entries to Canada over a period of up to five years or until the passport's expiration date, whichever is shorter.

In addition to the eTA, all international travellers must carry acceptable identification when entering Canada. A passport is the only reliable and universally accepted travel and identification document. Permanent residents of Canada (immigrants living in Canada who are not yet Canadian citizens) need a valid permanent resident card to return to Canada.

Upon arrival in Canada, travellers go through a three-step process. First, they must submit a customs and immigration declaration online using Advance Declaration up to 72 hours before arrival or complete it at an airport kiosk or eGate. Second, a border services officer examines travel documents and may ask questions to determine immigration status, goods being brought into the country, duty-free allowance, and personal exemption entitlements. Finally, travellers go to the baggage claim area, where they may be directed to a secondary inspection area for further questioning and examination of luggage.

Frequently asked questions