New Security Rules Tighten Travel from Canada to Europe
Traveling from Canada to Europe is about to look a little different. Starting next year, Canadian visitors heading across the Atlantic will encounter a new wave of security checks and travel authorizations designed to make Europe’s borders more secure and efficient. It’s not about making travel harder—it’s about making it safer and more organized. But for many Canadians, it does mean getting used to a few extra steps before boarding that flight to Paris, Rome, or Barcelona.
The European Union is rolling out two major systems — the Entry/Exit System (EES) and the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) . Together, these are reshaping how short-term visitors from visa-free countries, like Canada, enter the 29 European nations that use the Schengen area system.
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The Entry/Exit System , set to be fully active by April 10, will electronically register each visitor’s entry, exit, and even entry refusals. Instead of simple passport stamps, facial recognition and fingerprint scans will now verify identities. Border officials say this change will make it easier to spot overstays and strengthen defenses against organized crime and terrorism. Biometric kiosks are being installed in airports and other entry points to make the process smoother — though at first, travelers might notice longer wait times.
The ETIAS is the other key piece of this transformation. Starting late next year, Canadians who don’t need a visa will still have to apply online for a travel authorization before their trip. This digital permit will cost €20 (about CAD 30) and remain valid for three years or until the traveler’s passport expires. It’s a simple process — travelers fill out a form, provide passport details, and answer a few security questions. Most approvals will come within minutes, but in some cases, it may take longer.
The move mirrors similar systems already used by countries like Canada and the U.S. Ottawa introduced its own Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) back in 2016, so this isn’t unfamiliar territory. The difference is that now Canadians will experience the same kind of screening when visiting Europe.
European officials say the purpose isn’t to discourage visitors but to enhance security and give authorities a clearer picture of who is coming in and out. “The risks need to be better managed,” said Uku Sarekanno, deputy executive director of Frontex, Europe’s border and coast guard agency.
Travel experts advise Canadians to plan ahead — apply for ETIAS before buying flight tickets or booking hotels. Also, be aware that refusing to provide biometric data, like fingerprints or a facial image, could lead to being denied entry at the border.
While this all sounds like a big shift, it’s part of a larger effort to modernize travel security. Once the systems are fully implemented and running smoothly, travelers may actually enjoy a faster, more seamless experience at European borders.
So, as these new measures come into play, the best advice for Canadian travelers is simple: stay informed, apply early, and pack a little extra patience for the check-in line. Europe isn’t closing its doors — it’s just making sure everyone who enters does so safely and securely.
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