Planning a Europe trip? Travel permit for Canadians is delayed

Canadians planning to visit Europe can breathe a sigh of relief, as the introduction of a new travel authorization requirement has been postponed. The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), initially set to launch last year, will require Canadian passport holders and others from visa-exempt countries to apply for permission before traveling to any of 30 European countries for short stays.

The European Commission had aimed to roll out the ETIAS alongside the Entry-Exit System (EES), an automated IT system designed to register non-EU nationals visiting the EU for short-term stays. A spokesperson for the European Commission explained that despite significant progress, the implementation of such a large-scale IT system is complex, and delays were unavoidable. The spokesperson also noted that some member states had yet to provide the necessary declarations of readiness to start the system.

Although a proposal for a phased introduction of the EES was made last month, it has yet to be adopted. Once it is approved, the commission will set a date for the system’s progressive launch, with the goal of full operation within six months. Following the EES’s activation, the ETIAS will be implemented, likely six months after the EES is fully operational.

Currently, Canadian citizens can enter Europe without a visa and stay for up to 90 days. The new ETIAS requirement, when it comes into effect, will apply to those planning stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period within the 30 EU member states and Schengen-associated countries. To apply, travelers will need to submit personal details, travel document information, educational background, current occupation, and specifics about their trip, including any criminal history. The application fee will be $10, with exemptions for children under 18, seniors over 70, and certain family members of EU citizens or non-EU nationals with free movement rights.

The ETIAS, which will be valid for up to three years or until the passport expires (whichever comes first), aims to enhance Europe's security by screening visa-free travelers before they travel to assess potential security, immigration, or public health risks. This new program, approved by the European Council in 2018, will impact about 1.4 billion travelers from more than 60 countries. However, its rollout has been delayed multiple times since its approval.