Canadian Travelers to Europe: What You Need to Know About the New EU Entry Requirements

Canadian Travelers to Europe: What You Need to Know About the New EU Entry Requirements

Canadian travelers will not need an online permit to visit the European Union or the Schengen Area until at least 2027. This delay impacts the planned Entry/Exit System (EES) and Electronic Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), which will eventually change how Canadians enter and exit European countries.

Here's what Canadian travelers need to know about these upcoming changes:

1. Entry/Exit System (EES) Rollout

The EES was originally set to replace the passport "wet-stamping" process with a digital system for tracking travelers. However, the full launch of the system has been delayed, and it will now be introduced gradually across European borders. This means that for the next several months, travelers will still need their passports stamped, and biometric data (such as facial scans and fingerprints) will be collected at certain border crossings.

While the full system was supposed to be operational by November 2024, issues with the central database and readiness of European border authorities led to a postponed launch. The new plan, which allows for a phased implementation, is expected to begin in October 2025.

By April 2026, the EES will hopefully be fully operational, and border authorities will stop stamping passports once it’s working across all Schengen Area borders.

2. What About ETIAS?

The Electronic Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) is a travel authorization system similar to the U.S. ESTA, and it will be required for travelers from 59 visa-exempt countries, including Canada. However, Canadians won’t need to apply for the ETIAS until April 2027 at the earliest.

ETIAS will be mandatory for entry into the Schengen Area six months after the EES system is fully operational. This means that Canadians will have to apply for the ETIAS, which costs €7 (about £6), before traveling to most European countries. However, for the first six months, obtaining an ETIAS will be voluntary, so travelers can choose whether to apply.

3. Timeline for EES and ETIAS for Canadian Travelers

• October 2025: The EES starts at a limited number of border posts across the Schengen Area, but biometric data (face and fingerprints) will be optional for the first 60 days.

• December 2025: Biometric data will become mandatory at most frontier posts operating the EES system.

• April 2026: The EES should be fully implemented across Europe. At this point, passports will no longer be stamped.

• October 2026: ETIAS could be introduced, but for the first six months, it will be optional for Canadian travelers.

• April 2027: ETIAS becomes mandatory for Canadians entering the Schengen Area, though there will be a grace period allowing entry without ETIAS on the first attempt.

• October 2027: ETIAS will become fully compulsory for all visa-exempt travelers.

4. What Will It Mean for Canadian Travelers?

Once ETIAS becomes mandatory, Canadians will need to apply online before their trip. The process will involve answering security-related questions and paying a small fee. However, the system is expected to be quick and easy, with approvals typically granted within minutes.

During the transition period, Canadians may experience extra steps, including biometric checks and additional border processing, as the EU rolls out these new systems. The goal is to eventually streamline travel and improve security, but in the short term, travelers should expect some changes in how they enter Europe.

As of now, Canadian travelers can continue to visit most European countries without needing an online permit, but it's important to stay informed about the rollout of these systems, as the landscape will change over the next few years.