Heads up if you’re heading to Europe.
Starting in May 2025, all Canadians heading to 30 European countries will be required to fill out an ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System) before entry.
ETIAS is an electronic visa waiver that will pre-screen non-EU citizens who do not need a visa for short trips to the Schengen Area, which will help identify potential security threats and make Europe safer for residents as well as travelers.
Canadian passport holders must obtain travel authorization before traveling to a European destination.
Canadians with an approved ETIAS will be granted unlimited entries to the Schengen zone for a total stay of 90 days within every 180-day period. It is valid for 3 years from the date of approval, which means you won’t need to apply for an ETIAS before every trip to the Schengen Area. (The Schengen area is a free travel zone in Europe that lets people travel between member countries without border controls)
To be eligible for an ETIAS, you will need THREE things:
valid passport
valid email
and a valid credit card/debit card to pay for the ETIAS fee.
The online application takes about 20 minutes to fill out.
For those who have dual citizenship, it’s important to keep in mind that the ETIAS is linked to ONE specific passport, so you must use the same passport you obtained the ETIAS with.
If you’re traveling with kids, note that it is necessary for all minors under the age of 18 to have an individually approved ETIAS. However, parents or legal guardians are able to submit an ETIAS application on behalf of their child.