Do Canadians need ETIAS?
Yes. Canada is among the 60 visa-exempt nations listed in EU Regulation 2018/1240. From Q4 2026, all Canadian passport holders travelling to European ETIAS countries for tourism, business, transit, or short-term medical purposes must hold a valid ETIAS.
ETIAS vs Canada's eTA
Canada's own eTA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) is required for visitors flying into Canada from visa-exempt countries. ETIAS is Europe's equivalent. Canadians are therefore familiar with this model from the other side. Key differences:
| Feature | ETIAS (Europe) | Canada eTA |
|---|---|---|
| Who applies | Canadians going to Europe | Foreigners going to Canada |
| Fee | €20 | C$7 |
| Validity | 3 years | 5 years |
| Countries covered | 30 European countries | Canada only |
Dual Canadian-EU citizens
Canadians who also hold citizenship of an EU or EEA country — many Canadian-French, Canadian-Italian, or Canadian-Portuguese dual nationals, for example — are exempt from ETIAS when travelling on their EU passport. If you qualify, always travel to Europe on your EU passport to avoid the ETIAS requirement and the 90-day stay limit.
Snowbirds and extended European stays
Many Canadian retirees spend extended time in southern Europe — particularly Portugal, Spain, and France. ETIAS, combined with EES's digital tracking, will tighten enforcement of the 90/180-day rule. Options for longer stays include:
- Portugal Digital Nomad Visa / D7 Passive Income Visa — popular with Canadian retirees with pension income
- Spain's Non-Lucrative Visa — for retirees not working in Spain
- France's Long-Stay Visitor Visa — for extended residency in France
These are national visas issued by individual countries, entirely separate from ETIAS, and allow longer stays than the 90-day limit.
Check your eligibility
Our free checker covers Canadian-specific scenarios including dual citizenship and extended stay questions.
Check Now →