SchengenClock
Verified June 2026

Do Canadians need ETIAS?

Yes

Yes. Canadian citizens are visa-exempt for short stays, so once ETIAS launches Canadians will need an ETIAS travel authorisation to enter Europe.

Needs ETIAS?
Yes
Cost
€20
Validity
3 yrs
From
Q4 2026

Canadians can visit the Schengen area without a visa for up to 90 days in any 180, and that visa-free access is precisely why ETIAS will apply. ETIAS is an online authorisation, not a visa, and most straightforward applications are expected to be approved within minutes.

Nothing about the 90/180 day limit changes for Canadians - ETIAS sits alongside it as a separate requirement you must satisfy before you fly.

Passport rules and bilateral agreements

Your Canadian passport must be valid for at least three months after you plan to leave Europe and have been issued within the last 10 years. Canada also holds older bilateral visa-waiver agreements with some individual Schengen states; as with other such agreements, how they interact with the 90/180 rule is contested, so do not lean on one without confirming your exact situation first.

How Canadians will apply

When ETIAS launches, Canadians will apply online on the official EU portal, pay €20 (free under 18 or over 70), and receive an authorisation linked to their passport for up to 3 years. It is not a visa - see what ETIAS is and how it differs from a visa.

ETIAS gets Canadians to the border; it does not extend the stay. Check how many days are left with the free 90/180 calculator.

Frequently asked questions

Do Canadians need ETIAS?

Yes. Canadian citizens are visa-exempt for short stays, so once ETIAS launches Canadians will need an ETIAS travel authorisation to enter Europe.

How much will ETIAS cost Canadians?

€20 per application, free for travellers under 18 or over 70. One authorisation lasts up to 3 years. See ETIAS cost.

When will Canadians need ETIAS from?

From the launch of ETIAS, expected in the last quarter of 2026. No exact date is set yet - track it on the ETIAS start date page.

Does ETIAS change the 90-day limit for Canadians?

No. ETIAS lets you travel, but the 90/180-day rule still caps short stays at 90 days in any 180. Plan it with the 90/180 calculator.

Sources