Canadians planning vacations or business trips to Europe will soon face a new travel requirement, as the European Union prepares to implement a mandatory pre-travel authorization document for non-EU visitors — including Canadian passport holders.
The new system, known as ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System), will require travellers from visa-exempt countries like Canada to apply online for permission before departure. Once approved, the authorization will be digitally linked to the traveller’s passport and checked at the border on arrival.
Officials in Brussels say ETIAS is not a visa, but an added security screening step designed to strengthen border control across Europe’s Schengen Zone. The cost is expected to be modest, around seven euros, and approvals will generally be granted within minutes — though travellers are advised to apply well before their trip in case additional processing is needed.
Once issued, an ETIAS authorization will remain valid for multiple trips over a period of three years, provided the traveller continues to hold the same valid passport.
The change affects most popular destinations for Canadians, including France, Italy, Spain, Germany, the Netherlands, Greece, Portugal and more than a dozen other European states.
European officials say the requirement will take effect once final technical testing is complete. Ottawa is expected to launch a public advisory campaign ahead of rollout to ensure Canadians understand the new rules.
Travel industry groups are already urging Canadians to pay attention, warning that those who show up at the airport without the authorization once it becomes mandatory may be denied boarding.
For millions of Canadians who visit Europe each year — this new document will soon become as essential as booking the ticket itself.