Spring is just around the corner, and if you’ve got some vacation time coming up, Europe sounds like a great place to visit these days. Eat your way through Italy and France, visit legendary attractions in England, hang out on the Greek islands, recharge in the Swiss Alps or lounge on Portuguese beaches. The possibilities are endless.
Before you jet set to one of Europe’s 44 sovereign states, however, there are a few changes you should probably know about. Starting this year, the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) requires Canadians to apply to visit and pay a fee when travelling to a certain list of European countries. Here’s what you need know.
What Is ETIAS?
According to the official website, ETIAS is a new system for visa-exempt, non-EU visitors — like Canadians. It requires Canadians who are travelling for tourism, business and short-term study to apply online before visiting.
Once ETIAS receives your application and official passport details, it checks your information against international databases. The point is to detect any security risks and make travel easier.
How Much Is an ETIAS Application?
The good news is that an ETIAS application won’t break the bank. It’s EUR €7, which is roughly $12-13. You can pay online by debit or credit card at the time of application.
Related: This One Travel Trend Is Increasing in Popularity Among Canadians.
When Does It start?
Although ETIAS was set to be launched in 2025, an exact date hasn’t been announced. The general launch is expected by fall of this year; however, there is a six-month transitional period so it likely won’t become mandatory until Spring 2026. All adults and children who travel will need to apply when it does.
Which Countries Are Part of ETIAS?
The Schengen zone (the region without internal borders between countries) includes EU destinations like Belgium, France, Germany, Italy and Spain. It also includes four non-EU countries: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. You can find the complete list of destinations online.
Related: 8 of the Hottest Travel Trends for 2025 Revealed.
What Information Do You Need to Fill Out an ETIAS Application?
To apply, you must supply your full name, passport details, date of birth and place of birth. You’ll need to include your country of arrival, and the site will also ask more detailed questions about your past travel and family members.
Unsure when you’re going, exactly? Those without confirmed travel plans can still apply. Include which country you plan to visit first and once you’re approved, you can still change your plans.
How Long Does It Take to Receive Confirmation?
According to the website, Canadian applications are quickly and automatically approved if there are no alerts from the security databases. ETIAS expects a success rate of more than 95 per cent in Canada. If there is an alert, a representative from a national ETIAS unit will review the application manually. If you’ve been rejected for travel, you can still apply again.
Related: Here Are the 10 Best Ski Resorts in the World.
How Long Can I Travel With ETIAS Approval?
Once approved, you can stay for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. That doesn’t have to be a continuous 90 days; you can leave as often as you like, but you cannot exceed 90 days within that period. It does not reset when you leave.
