The latest news from the European Commission confirms that the release date for the ETIAS electronic visa waiver system has been pushed back to 2026.
This is relevant for Canadians planning a trip to Europe. Canadian passport holders will need to apply for ETIAS once the system goes live. The launch was previously expected to be in 2024.
The new timeline was announced following the Justice and Home Affairs Council that took place on October 19th - 20th 2023.
When will ETIAS go live?
ETIAS will go live in 2026. Canadians (together with nationals of over 50 nations) can continue travelling to Europe without applying for ETIAS until this date.
Once ETIAS is launched, Canadians will not lose their visa-exempt status but will need to obtain a valid ETIAS authorisation to cross the external Schengen borders and visit Europe.
Why has the ETIAS start date for Canadians been postponed?
The ETIAS start date has been changed for all eligible nationalities. This is largely due to the fact the introduction of the Entry/Exit System (EES) has been delayed.
ETIAS can only enter into operation 5 to 6 months after the EES which is now scheduled for October 2025.
ETIAS will not be mandatory straight away
ETIAS starts in 2026 but will not be mandatory for Canadians right away. There will be two 6-month implementation periods.
ETIAS transition period: ETIAS not mandatory
Right after the launch date, there will be a 6-month ETIAS transition period. Travellers will be allowed to enter ETIAS countries without the authorisation during the transition period. Visitors must meet all other requirements for travel.
ETIAS grace period: last chance to enter without ETIAS
After the transition period, there will be a 6-month grace period. Article 83 of the ETIAS regulation states:
"During the grace period, the border authorities shall exceptionally allow third-country nationals subject to the travel authorisation requirement who are not in possession of a travel authorisation to cross the external borders where they fulfil all the remaining conditions, provided that they are crossing the external borders of the Member States for the first time since the end of the period."
Again, all other entry conditions must be met to enter the Schengen member states.
Travellers will be given informative leaflets during the transition and grace periods.
When should Canadians apply for ETIAS?
Canadians cannot apply for ETIAS yet. As explained above, ETIAS goes live in 2026. The exact date applications will open has not yet been announced.
Canadian passport holders visiting Europe from now until 2026 can travel without registering for ETIAS online.
Although ETIAS will not be mandatory during the transition period, Canadians will be encouraged to apply. ETIAS is valid for up to 3 years and multiple trips — ETIAS authorisations obtained during the transition period can be used for trips once it becomes mandatory.
Check this site regularly for the latest information regarding the ETIAS start date.
