Entering Germany from Canada with ETIAS

The Germany ETIAS for Canadian citizens will be implemented in 2026. After it is introduced, it will be a requirement for a large number of foreign nationals, including Canadians, who travel to Germany or any other country in the Schengen Area.

An approved ETIAS authorization for Germany from Canada will be valid for 3 years and will allow visa waiver-holders to spend up to 90 days in the Schengen Area (in any 180-day period) with each entry.

To apply for an ETIAS for Germany from Canada, it will be necessary to fill out an online application which only takes a matter of minutes.

ETIAS is a travel authorisation registration (or visa waiver), not a visa. It will effectively eliminate the need for a German visa for Canadian tourists. Canadians who are eligible for ETIAS do not need to apply for a visa for Germany.

Please note: ETIAS is intended for short-term trips and does not allow its holders to work while in Germany and the rest of the Schengen Area. Canadians who wish to relocate or stay in Germany for long periods of time and/or find work must check Germany’s visa policy and apply for an appropriate travel permit.

How can Canadians apply for ETIAS to visit Germany?

Germany entry requirements for Canadian citizens: documents

Applicants will need to have a valid Canadian passport to obtain a waiver for the visa for Germany from Canada.

The passport is the most important Canadian travel document for Germany with ETIAS. However, applicants are also required to have a credit or debit card authorised for online payments to cover the processing fee.

ETIAS Germany passport specifications for Canadians

How can you travel from Canada to Germany with ETIAS?

Once an application has been submitted and approved, the ETIAS for Germany will be sent to the visitor by email. Canadians will be able to enter the country by presenting an approved ETIAS visa waiver for Germany, along with their passport, to the German border authorities.

The Schengen Area has no hard, internal borders. There is only one shared, external border. Therefore, travellers can move freely between the Schengen countries once they have entered the zone unless a temporary border has been placed for extraordinary reasons.

Canadian tourism in Germany: Statistics

According to the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the total number of tourist arrivals in Germany increased by 7% from 2020 to 2021, showing that the tourism industry is starting to recover following the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

And the country is well on its way to climbing back up to pre-pandemic numbers of tourist arrivals from Canada, as you can see in the figures (compiled by the German National Tourist Office) below.

Other facts about Canadian travel to Germany

Sources; German National Tourist Office, World Travel Monitor

What is the purpose of the Germany ETIAS for Canadians?

The ETIAS visa waiver for Germany and Europe has been designed to strengthen the security of the Schengen Area and make travel easier for eligible visitors.

Germany ETIAS applicants will be screened using several security databases as part of the application process. This will allow the authorities to identify security risks. The process is easy to complete online from anywhere in the world.

ETIAS will make travel from Canada to Germany much safer for both visitors and locals alike.

Can Canadian citizens travel to Germany?

Normally, there are no travel restrictions from Canada to Germany for ETIAS holders.

However, Canadians visiting Germany should always keep up to date with the latest news and government announcements as temporary measures and limitations may be implemented at a moment’s notice, if necessary.