How to visit EU overseas territories with ETIAS

Several countries in the European Union (EU) have regions or territories located in different parts of the world. Most of these are islands or archipelagos that were former colonies.

This is why Canadians visiting parts of the Caribbean or Africa may find themselves paying in euros and dealing with EU travel regulations.

The EU’s overseas regions and territories all have different rules. Some are considered part of the EU and Schengen Area; others are only part of the EU but not Schengen; and most are not included in either bloc.

Read on to learn more about what you’ll need to visit these destinations as a national of Canada.

What documents do Canadians need to visit EU overseas regions and territories?

The exact travel documents you’ll need depend on the region or territory you are visiting.

In most cases, you will need the following:

Typically, as a Canadian citizen, you will not need a visa to visit regions associated with the European Union. Canadians enjoy visa exemption for tourism and business trips for EU and Schengen countries and most of their territories.

However, some overseas territories of EU countries maintain a separate visa policy, so it is important to check what you need before travelling.

When the ETIAS travel authorisation system comes into force, Canadian passport holders will have to remember to register online to visit any EU overseas region that is part of the Schengen Area.

Which European countries have overseas regions and territories?

The following EU countries have regions located outside the European continent. These are referred to as the "Outermost Regions" (OMR) of the EU.

A number of other EU member states have territories overseas, including the following:

Denmark’s overseas territories

Denmark has 2 overseas territories:

The Faroe Islands may be a Danish territory, but they are not part of the EU or Schengen Area, having their own visa policy. Even despite of their status, ETIAS will also be valid to travel to the Faroe Islands.

Greenland is not officially part of the EU, although it has close ties to the bloc and Greenlandic nationals are EU citizens. Greenland is also outside the Schengen Area, but you will be able to travel without a visa with ETIAS.

France’s Outermost Regions and overseas territories

France has 5 overseas departments that are treated as integral parts of the Republic and have the same status as any of the departments in mainland France. They are classed as EU Outermost Regions, as is the French overseas collectivity of Saint Martin.

In total, the 6 French OMRs are:

The French OMRs are part of the EU, but not the Schengen Area.

France also has a number of dependent territories around the world:

The French overseas territories are not part of the EU or the Schengen Area.

Do Canadians need a passport to go to Saint Pierre and Miquelon?

Due to Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon’s proximity to Canada, there is a special arrangement for travellers arriving directly from Canada.

You do not need to show a Canadian passport. Instead, you can present an alternative photo ID, such as a driver’s license, student card, or citizenship card.

Dutch overseas territories

The Kingdom of the Netherlands has the following overseas territories:

While they have close ties with the EU and the inhabitants are entitled to EU citizenship, the territories are not considered part of the Union or the Schengen Area.

Spanish Outermost Regions

The Canary Islands are one of Spain’s autonomous communities, with the same status as any autonomous community on the mainland. As such, they are an integral part of the country and an Outermost Region of the EU.

Spain also has 2 special cases in Ceuta and Melilla — autonomous cities on the Mediterranean coast of Africa. Both are also considered an integral part of Spain.

All 3 of these overseas regions of Spain are part of both the EU and Schengen Area.

Portuguese Outermost Regions

Portugal has 2 EU Outermost Regions in the Atlantic Ocean:

Both groups of islands are part of the EU and the Schengen Area.

Which European overseas regions will Canadians need the ETIAS to visit?

Canadian visitors will need to register with the ETIAS visa waiver system to visit any part of the Schengen Area.

This includes the following overseas regions:

Rules for Canadians visiting Ceuta and Melilla

The Spanish autonomous cities of Ceuta and Melilla have a unique situation within the Schengen Area.

Both cities are considered part of the Schengen zone and foreign travellers must present a valid ETIAS or Schengen visa to enter.

However, unlike most other parts of the Schengen Area, Spanish authorities will check your travel documents when you leave to travel to other parts of Spain or other Schengen countries.

This means you will have to show your Canadian passport and ETIAS at your port of departure as well as upon arrival.