The countries of the European Union (and a few additional European countries) are going to require an electronic visa for Canadians, the European travel authorization (ETIAS). Because it’s vital, I remind you that checking countries’ entry rules is literally the only mandatory step for traveling. For every country, for every trip. Simple. Because countries’ entry rules can always change, obviously.
We promised to keep you updated.
European authorities have finally announced an exact launch date for the preliminary step that the ETIAS launch depends on. And they’ve also almost tripled the price of the ETIAS!
Here’s the update with the launch date for the electronic visa for Europe, ETIAS.
Update on ETIAS
Many didn’t find our 2025 April Fool’s very funny (the joke about Trump adding a visa requirement for Canadians to enter the United States).
Yet, it’s very true that the EU is going to do it even if they don’t want to make us the 28th state. And this was announced many years ago (it’s just been delayed soooooo many times).
Here’s what’s new that has just been announced:
- The preliminary step, the EES, will launch October 12, 2025 (you have nothing to do)
- So they confirmed the ETIAS will launch between October and December 2026
- Price of 20 EUR instead of 7 EUR
- Still free for those under 18 and those 70 and over
- The other already known details don’t change
- Including the 3-year validity of ETIAS
- And everything else
Note that the effective date has already been postponed a typically governmental number of times. But this time, it seems more serious. The announcement mentions that the EES (entry-exit system), the preliminary step to the ETIAS that I’ll explain below, now comes into effect on October 12, 2025. If there’s no delay on that front, the ETIAS should indeed be launched 1 year later. To be continued.
As for the new price, it’s about the same price as the UK travel authorization (UK ETA), which has been in effect for many months now (and that I might have to test for the 1st time in a few days for my 6-continents trip; I’ll share my experience with you). It remains very low compared to many countries (like Brazil and India, which I’m both avoiding on my trip precisely for that reason).
For all the other details about the electronic visa, you can read our guide on the European travel authorization (ETIAS).
What changes on October 12, 2025 (EES)
There are really 2 completely separate new electronic systems that are going to be launched in Europe.
Before requiring an electronic visa for Canadians and other nationalities (ETIAS), the European Union must launch its new electronic entry and exit system (EES).
(This was supposed to happen in 2021. Oops!)
What is it? Nothing changes for you. You don’t have to do anything. It’s just the process at customs that changes. The only impact for you is that it might take longer when going through customs.
As is already the case in several countries, there will be fingerprinting or facial biometry upon entry to the European Union and other included countries. Entries and exits will be logged electronically.
Unfortunately for those who love passport stamps, this beautiful souvenir will no longer exist in the countries in question. (By the way, I just updated my post about my Canadian passport renewal experience!)
In theory, the EES system will be implemented from October 12, 2025, to April 9, 2026, which is a 6-month period (I might be able to test that for you, too; I’m going back around the approximate launch dates).
But it’s a bit less simple than that. In fact, you might very well still get your passport stamped and not even be subject to the new measures at all during the first months of this new EES.
Here are the real announced dates:
- October 12, 2025:
- At least 10% of border posts must use the new EES
- But fingerprints and biometrics might not be required
- December 2025:
- Fingerprints and biometrics are mandatory when using the new system
- January 2026:
- At least 50% of border posts must use the new system
- April 9, 2026:
- New system fully implemented
- End of passport stamps
- Last quarter of 2026:
- ETIAS implementation
We’ll keep you updated once again.
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Summary
The preliminary step, before the European travel authorization (ETIAS) can be launched, is happening on October 12, 2025. So the electronic visa required for Canadian travelers, which is just a simple online form to fill out before traveling to the countries in question, will launch about a year later. Also, the fee to pay for the privilege of being able to visit for 3 years nearly tripled to 20 EUR.
What would you like to know about the launch dates for the European visa? Tell us in the comments below.
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