In 2026, Canadians will need to register online before travelling to Europe. The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) is a new system for visa-exempt non-EU visitors. This includes Canadians.
The European travel authorisation is a new entry requirement for Canadians travelling for tourism, business, and short-term study. It’s quick and easy to apply for ETIAS online.
Get ready for the introduction of the ETIAS for Canadians with etias.ca.
Do Canadians need a visa for Europe?
Canadians do not need a visa to travel to Europe short term. With your Canadian passport, you can travel to Europe visa-free and stay for up to 90 days for tourism, business, or short-term study.
From 2026, Canadians will need to register with ETIAS to enter the Schengen Area, and Cyprus without a visa. Visa-free entry will only be permitted with a valid ETIAS.
European travel visa for long stays for Canadians
Canadians must apply for a visa for Europe to stay more than 3 months. A visa is also required to travel for purposes other than business, tourism, or transit.
To stay long-term, you need to apply for the relevant national visa for your European destination.
Do Canadian residents need a tourist visa for Europe?
European entry requirements for Canadians and other non-EU citizens depend on nationality. Whether a Canadian permanent resident needs a visa for Europe is determined by the country that issued their passport.
Citizens of more than 50 countries can travel to Europe without a visa and will be eligible for ETIAS.
What is ETIAS for Canadians?
ETIAS is a new travel permit for Europe. The ETIAS for Canadian citizens is not a visa. It’s an electronic travel authorisation for visa-exempt visitors from outside the EU.
ETIAS secures EU borders by pre-screening travellers before they arrive in Europe. The system helps detect potential security or migration risks presented by visa-exempt visitors.
By registering Canadians and other non-EU passport holders entering European countries, ETIAS also improves European border management.
ETIAS is similar to the Canadian eTA that foreign visitors need to enter visa-free.
How ETIAS for Canadian citizens works
ETIAS for Canadian citizens works by cross-referencing applicants' information with various security databases.
When Canadian passport holders apply for ETIAS, your 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 in identifying any potential security, irregular migration, or high epidemic risks.
Most applications are approved following automatic processing. If a potential risk is detected, the application is reviewed manually by the responsible ETIAS National Unit.
ETIAS improves the traveller experience
ETIAS improves the way Canadians travel to Europe. As a tourist, you can enjoy greater peace of mind knowing that other travellers have also undergone ETIAS security checks.
The European travel authorisation for Europe also makes border processes more efficient. Immigration procedures are expected to be faster—security checks are carried out in advance, rather than at the border.
Despite being an additional step Canadians need to take when visiting Europe, ETIAS registration improves the overall traveller experience.
The ETIAS structure
Here’s are some of the groups responsible for the functioning of ETIAS:
- ETIAS Central Unit: checks that the data stored in the application file and the personal data recorded in the ETIAS system is correct and up to date. It defines, evaluates, tests and reviews specific indicators of the ETIAS screening rules
- ETIAS National Units: responsible for assessing travel authorisation applications referred to them from the automatic process. They can issue an opinion if consulted by other member States’ ETIAS National Units
- Europol: will establish and manage the ETIAS watchlist. ETIAS National Units will be able for consultation
- EU-LISA: responsible for developing and operating the ETIAS information system
- ETIAS Screening Board: this is an advisory team that will be made up of representatives from ETIAS National Units and Europol. The board can be consulted for the definition, evaluation, and revision of risk indicators
- European Border and Coast Guard Agency: they ensure the creation and management of an ETIAS Central Unit
European ETIAS destinations for Canadians
As a Canadian citizen, you’ll soon require ETIAS to travel to the following countries:
Key information about the travel permit for Europe
Canadians can continue to enjoy visa-free entry to Europe with ETIAS. Here are the most important facts you need to know about the ETIAS permit to travel to Europe.
| Start date | 2026 (expected) |
| Length of stay | 90 days in a 180-day period |
| Validity | 3 years or until the passport expires |
| Travel purposes | Tourism, business, short-term study* |
| Number of entries | Multiple. Total stay must not exceed 90 days |
* Canadians need the EU ETIAS to transit if they leave the international transit area of the airport.
Travelling from Canada to Europe with ETIAS
Canadians must have an approved and valid ETIAS to travel to countries in the Schengen Area.
When your ETIAS is approved, it’s linked to the Canadian passport you used to apply. You do not need to carry additional documents with you when travelling to Europe — ETIAS is automatically verified during passport checks.
ETIAS does not guarantee entry to European countries. Border checks are carried out and, passengers who do not meet the entry conditions will be denied entry.
It’s important that you apply for ETIAS and travel to Europe using the same passport. If you replace your passport for any reason, you need to apply for a new ETIAS.
Canadians need ETIAS to travel to Europe by air, land, or sea.
Moving around the Schengen Area with ETIAS as a Canadian citizen
You need ETIAS to cross an external Schengen border, for example when travelling from Canada to France.
Once you’ve entered the Schengen zone, you will not face further border checks—there are no internal borders in the travel zone. You should, however, carry your passport with attached ETIAS with you as you travel around.
Visit Spain, Italy, Germany, and other top tourist destinations in Europe with one permit.
Understanding the 90/180 rule for Canadians in Europe
To avoid overstaying in Europe, you need to understand the 90/180 rule.
90-day allowance Toggle faqs
You can stay in the Schengen Area for up to 90 days within any 180-day period. This doesn't have to be a continuous stay.
You can enter and leave the Schengen Area as often as you like, but the total number of days spent in the area must not exceed 90 days within any 180-day period.
Rolling 180-day window Toggle faqs
The 180-day period is a rolling window. It’s always counted backwards from the current day.
For example, if you're planning to enter the Schengen Area on December 1st, you'll look back 180 days from December 1st to see how many days you've already been in the Schengen Area during that period.
Count your days Toggle faqs
To stay compliant with the rule, keep track of your travel days. Every day you are in the Schengen Area counts towards the 90-day limit, including the day you arrive and the day you depart.
No reset by leaving Toggle faqs
You can't reset the 90-day count by leaving the Schengen Area for a short period and then returning. The count of 90 days is cumulative within the 180-day window.
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