For a few years, there have been discussions about change for the requirements to enter Europe and the Schengen area for non-EU citizens. The European Commission has now revealed the introduction of the EES and ETIAS.
Canadian citizens can currently travel to the EU with a visa for up to 90 days in a 180-day period. This does not require any further bureaucratic steps or further preparation. The passport is stamped at the first EU border and therefore holds proof of when the 90-day period begins.
The new Entry/Exit System (short: EES) is an electronic registration system at the external EU borders. All non-EU citizens travelling to and from the Schengen area will be registered electronically at the borders. Entry refusals will also be registered. All non-EU citizens as well as citizens of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Sweden will be registered regardless of whether they require a visa for entry. The registration is mandatory for all short trips, meaning all trips for up to 90 days in a 180-day period. EES will replace the entry stamp in most EU countries (other: Cyprus and Iceland).
The long-awaited European Travel Information and Authorization System (short: ETIAS) only concerns non-EU citizens who can currently travel to Europe visa free. ETIAS is an electronic travel authorization that must be requested before entering. It is not a visa and does not impose a visa requirement. ETIAS is connected to a certain passport and must be presented with it. The authorization costs 7.00 EUR and can be processed in minutes. An approved ETIAS does not guarantee successful entry to Europe. With valid ETIAS, non-EU citizens can stay in Europe for up to 90 days in a 180-day period.
ETIAS is only available for citizens of a non-EU country who currently travel to the Schengen area visa free. ETIAS must be requested before entry. No biometric data such as fingerprints is required for ETIAS.
EES applies to all non-EU citizens regardless of whether they require a visa to enter the Schengen area. They are registered electronically at the external EU border even when they hold valid ETIAS. EES also registers biometric and travel data. EES is carried out at the border and requires no preparation by the traveler.
EES is set to be introduced in October 2025. ETIAS is currently planned to be implemented in the last quarter of 2026. Currently, ETIAS applications cannot be processed.
Expected changes for travel to the EU in 2025
For a few years, there have been discussions about change for the requirements to enter Europe and the Schengen area for non-EU citizens. The European Commission has now revealed the introduction of the EES and ETIAS.
Canadian citizens can currently travel to the EU with a visa for up to 90 days in a 180-day period. This does not require any further bureaucratic steps or further preparation. The passport is stamped at the first EU border and therefore holds proof of when the 90-day period begins.
The new Entry/Exit System (short: EES) is an electronic registration system at the external EU borders. All non-EU citizens travelling to and from the Schengen area will be registered electronically at the borders. Entry refusals will also be registered. All non-EU citizens as well as citizens of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Sweden will be registered regardless of whether they require a visa for entry. The registration is mandatory for all short trips, meaning all trips for up to 90 days in a 180-day period. EES will replace the entry stamp in most EU countries (other: Cyprus and Iceland).
The long-awaited European Travel Information and Authorization System (short: ETIAS) only concerns non-EU citizens who can currently travel to Europe visa free. ETIAS is an electronic travel authorization that must be requested before entering. It is not a visa and does not impose a visa requirement. ETIAS is connected to a certain passport and must be presented with it. The authorization costs 7.00 EUR and can be processed in minutes. An approved ETIAS does not guarantee successful entry to Europe. With valid ETIAS, non-EU citizens can stay in Europe for up to 90 days in a 180-day period.
ETIAS is only available for citizens of a non-EU country who currently travel to the Schengen area visa free. ETIAS must be requested before entry. No biometric data such as fingerprints is required for ETIAS.
EES applies to all non-EU citizens regardless of whether they require a visa to enter the Schengen area. They are registered electronically at the external EU border even when they hold valid ETIAS. EES also registers biometric and travel data. EES is carried out at the border and requires no preparation by the traveler.
EES is set to be introduced in October 2025. ETIAS is currently planned to be implemented in the last quarter of 2026. Currently, ETIAS applications cannot be processed.