It’s been pushed back a handful of times, and now it’s being pushed back again. Canadians travelling to Europe won’t have to worry about the EU’s European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) requirement for now, although they should be on the lookout for it.
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Heading to Europe? Here’s what you should know about the requirements, especially if your trip is sometime in the future.
EU Travel Requirements for Canadians
What Is An ETIAS?
The new travel requirements are known as ETIAS, which is an entry requirement for visa-exempt nationals that are travelling to 30 of the listed European countries for fewer than 90 days within a 180-day period. This includes popular travel destinations like France, Greece, and Italy, just to name a few.
The ETIAS is intended for “travellers who do not need a visa to enter 30 European countries for a short stay”, such as Canadians, and is required before starting a trip. Moreover, the ETIAS asks for travellers’ personal information, although this does not include biometric data. Travellers will have to apply for an application similar to a visa, which is connected to their passport.
What to Know Before You Go: Canadians Travelling to Europe
For now, you’ll still have to go through the Entry/Exit System (EES) if you’re travelling to any of the countries mentioned above. Your personal data is mandatory for this process, as “passport control officers will take a photo of your face and/or scan your fingerprints.”
The process is meant to speed things along at the border, as well as provide more reliable data on border crossings. Things like overstaying and misusing visas will be easier to detect through a digital system.
Travellers are not required to have an ETIAS as of now, even though its implementation was announced six years ago and has been pushed back again. When it does take effect, travellers should be prepared to pay C$32.29, and apply for it online.
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