Canadian travellers headed to Europe this year will need to apply for a new travel document well before their trip.
The European Union (EU) plans to launch a pair of border management initiatives to strengthen security across the continent for residents and tourists in 2025.
The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) and the Entry/Exit Systems (EES) will both be used to collect traveller information in a digital database, although each collects different information.
The EES was previously expected to commence in November 2024 but is expected to launch soon. Travellers do not need to apply for this security program before they leave.
A spokesperson for the European Commission told V.I.A. the ETIAS program will be operational six months after EES commences.
"A revised [plan for the] ETIAS will be discussed and agreed between the Commission, Member States and [European Union Agency for the Operational Management of Large-Scale IT Systems] eu-LISA in the light of the expected entry into operations of the Entry/Exit System (EES)," they explained.
Travellers won't need to make any changes when the EES program is launched but they should ensure travel documents are valid for at least three months before the date after they leave Europe. However, the Canadian government recommends renewing a passport six months before the date of expiration in case of emergencies and because some countries require this length of time.
Tourists must apply for the ETIAS approval well before they depart for a trip. An exact amount of time isn't specified but more details will be available before the program launches.
Entry/Exit Systems (EES)
The EES is for non-EU nationals travelling to one or more EU countries for a short stay. It applies to travellers requiring a visa and those who do not.
The EES program will collect biometric data, including travellers’ facial images and fingerprints. This helps prevent identity fraud as travellers pass across the continent.
The biometric entry/exit system is designed to identify travellers who overstay their time in the European Union, providing data on time of entry, exit, and refusals of entry. It will replace the current passport stamping regime, providing a digital database of overstayers and strengthening security.
Unlike the ETIAS travel authorization, visitors do not need to apply for the document before they leave for their trip. They will acquire the EES upon arrival.
The EU proposes a progressive start of EES operations over six months. All member states are expected to begin operating the EES at one or more border crossing points and progressively register data in the system the data, reaching full registration of all individuals over the six month period, according to the European Commission. Some member states may start operating the EES fully from day one.
European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS)
The ETIAS program will be an entry requirement for visa-exempt nationals travelling to 30 participating European countries, including top destinations for Metro Vancouver travellers such as Italy, France, Germany, Spain, and Portugal. Twenty-nine of the countries belong to the Schengen Area, and Cyprus is also included in the program.
Countries in the Schengen area don't require border checks between them; travellers must only pass through security before entering the area. Passports must be valid for three months after the day a traveller leaves the area. They should ensure their passport is stamped when entering the area because missing stamps may cause issues upon exit, according to Global Affairs Canada.
Data collected for the ETIAS includes personal information, including address, name, date of birth, passport details, and current occupation, as well as information about past travel to conflict zones or criminal convictions. Travellers must also submit their reason for travel. No biometric data will be collected.
The authorization is valid for short-term stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period.
Having an ETIAS does not guarantee entry into a participating country. A border guard must check your passport and other documents before approving entry.
ETIAS applications cost € 7 and travellers can use various online payment options. Applicants under 18 years old or above 70 do not have to pay the fee. Family members of EU citizens or non-EU nationals who have the right to move freely through the European Union are also exempt.
The ETIAS authorization is valid for three years or when the travel document you used during your application expires.
Trips to the UK: What Canadians need to know
Canadian travellers must have a different, relatively new document for trips to the United Kingdom. The U.K. government has introduced a new Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) for travellers visiting or transiting through the country after Jan. 8, 2025.
The travel document is available to visa-exempt passport holders, including residents of Canada, the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Mexico, Brazil, and other non-European countries, according to a press release.
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