Canadians need to obtain an ETIAS (European Travel Insurance and Authorization System) travel authorization for any short-term stays of up to 90 days. So, if you are planning your European vacation, don’t forget to register and don’t forget your travel insurance protection.
What countries require ETIAS authorization?
With your Canadian passport, you can travel to many countries in Europe visa-free and stay for up to 90 days if you are touring, doing business or going to study. From 2025, Canadians need to register with ETIAS to enter the Schengen Area in Europe, and Cyprus without a visa.
What is the Schengen Area? If you are travelling to any of these countries, you need an ETIAS card:
- Austria
- Belgium
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Monaco
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- San Marino
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Vatican City
How do I know if I will qualify for ETIAS?
ETIAS pre-screens you before you arrive in Europe – working to ensure that you are not a potential security, epidemic or irregular migration risk. It cross-references your application information – your personal details, travel information and answers to security questions – with various security databases like the Schengen Information System (SIS), Interpol databases, and Europol data, among others.
You need to provide details of any past criminal convictions you have or past travel to war or conflict zones. If your application is detected as a potential risk, it will be reviewed manually by the responsible ETIAS National Unit.
What else should I know about ETIAS?
ETIAS is not a VISA. It is similar to the Canadian eTA that foreign visitors need to enter Canada visa-free.
You can travel with your ETIAS in Europe if you are staying less than 3 months. (If you are staying for longer than 3 months you need a VISA, and you need a VISA if you are travelling for purposes other than business or to be a tourist)
Here are the most important facts you need to know about the ETIAS permit to travel to Europe.
- Start date: 2025 (expected)
- Length of stay 90 days in a 180-day period
- Validity 3 years or until your passport expires; if you need a new passport within the 3-year period, you will need to apply again for ETIAS
- Travel purposes: Tourism, business, short-term study
- Number of entries: Multiple
- Total stay must not exceed 90 days
Does ETIAS make my travel in Europe easier?
Yes, ETIAS can improve your travel experience! As a tourist, you can enjoy greater peace of mind knowing that other travellers have also undergone ETIAS security checks.
When you have your ETIAS card you will find that border crossing will be more efficient because security checks have already been done. Once you’ve entered the Schengen zone whether you arrive by land, sea or air (like when you fly to Paris for example), you will not face further border checks—there are no internal borders in the travel zone. Go from France to Spain, Italy, Germany, and other top tourist destinations in Europe with one permit.
You should always carry your passport with attached ETIAS with you as you travel around.
When and how do I apply for ETIAS?
The ETIAS is officially scheduled to come online in 2025. Once initiated, there will be a 180-day period of grace. Once the six-month grace period has expired, you will require ETIAS approval.
You can apply for an ETIAS online by providing your Canadian passport number and reading and answering questions honestly and accurately with your full name, date of birth, and place of birth. Remember, the information must match your passport information exactly.
You can apply for ETIAS even if you haven’t firmed up your travel plans. Include the country you think you will visit and when you have your approved ETIAS and your trip booked, you can change your destination noted on your ETIAS.
It is expected that most ETIAS applications from Canada will have immediate approval. You’ll be notified by email, and your authorisation will be linked to your Canadian passport electronically. You’ll be ready to travel!
Remember, ETIAS is only valid with the passport you used to apply. You will need to reapply if you renew your passport, replace a lost passport or your information changes, like a name change or other personal details.
If you don’t have any changes, you only need to apply for ETIAS once every 3 years.
And here are great travel insurance tips for your European plans
Buy trip cancellation and interruption protection as soon as possible!
You can purchase travel insurance any time before the date of your departure, but it is best to purchase Trip Cancellation coverage as soon as possible after booking your trip. If you need to cancel your trip before your scheduled departure, trip cancellation insurance reimburses you for non-refundable, prepaid travel arrangements that can’t be recovered from another source.
Trip Interruption travel insurance may be able to help, by reimbursing you for the reasonable cost of alternate transportation between missed connections or getting you home quickly due to an emergency without the worry of additional costs for a new flight.
Put emergency medical travel insurance in place!
Injuries and illnesses can become extremely expensive out of country. If you have a serious health crisis, emergency travel medical insurance provides coverage for transport to the nearest appropriate medical facility, or back to a Canadian hospital.
If you are planning to travel to Europe there are limits on how much your government health insurance plan will pay – and they only pay a small portion of medical expenses incurred abroad. Costs that may not be covered include air and ground ambulance, emergency dental treatment and prescription drug expenses, and fees charged by hospitals or outpatient facilities.
Emergency medical travel insurance includes emergency travel assistance too – an invaluable support if you need it while away from home.
Make sure you have your ETIAS and your travel insurance
Go online to SBIS to learn about how you can choose from multiple travel coverage options in minutes. When you book your European trip, don’t wait – get your travel insurance right away. You and your loved ones can rest at ease knowing that your cruise trip is covered. Packages are available for Emergency Medical coverage for every member of your family. You can also purchase All-Inclusive insurance coverage for Emergency Medical, Trip Cancellation and Interruption, Baggage Loss, Damage and Delay, and Flight and Travel Accidents. If you require any assistance at any time in the travel insurance purchase process, you may call us at call us today at 1-800-667-0429 or 416-601-0429 during our regular business hours or email us at [email protected] for prompt service.
