Travelling to Europe

Information for Canadians visiting or living in Europe.

The Schengen area

The Schengen area includes 29 European countries with common entry and exit requirements to remove the need for internal borders. It allows travellers to move freely between these countries without needing to go through border checks or get separate visas.

Schengen area countries:

Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.

There are typically no border controls between member-countries of the Schengen area.

However, countries can reintroduce border controls in exceptional circumstances. In such cases, you may need to show your passport and other travel documents.

Learn more about border crossing in the Schengen Area. (European Commission)

Entering and exiting the Schengen area

Your passport must be valid for at least 3 months after your planned departure date.

Make sure your passport is stamped when you first enter the Schengen area. Missing stamps may cause problems during your trip or when leaving countries.

Some countries require you to register with authorities upon arrival.

Check our destination-specific Travel Advice and Advisories for rules.

Learn more about temporary border controls. (European Commission)

Visas

Canadians can visit Schengen area countries without a visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.

If you leave and return within the same 180 days, your previous stay counts toward the 90-day limit.

For stays longer than 90 days, you must apply for the appropriate visa before you travel. Overstaying could lead to fines or deportation.

Calculate your stay

Use the European Commission Visa Calculator to track your days:

the 180-day period is counted backwards from today’s date
your 90 days include all stays within the Schengen area during the last 180 days
if you exceed 90 days, you must leave until you accumulate more or apply for a visa

Contact the high commission or embassy of the country or countries you plan to visit for more information.

Other European countries

Some European countries are not part of the Schengen area. These countries have their own border rules:

Albania, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cyprus, Ireland, North Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Russia, Serbia, United Kingdom and Ukraine.

Check our destination-specific Travel Advice and Advisories for rules.

Contact the high commission or embassy of the country or countries to which you are travelling for visa information.

United Kingdom Electronic Travel Authorisation

Most Canadians are required to have an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) to visit the United Kingdom. You must apply before travelling, using the same passport you will travel with.

Your ETA is valid for 2 years. You can travel to the United Kingdom as many times as you want during that time. If you get a new passport, you will need to apply for a new ETA.

You do not need an ETA if:

You’re transiting through an airport in the United Kingdom without passing through border control.
You’re a dual citizen travelling on a British, Irish, or British overseas territories citizen passport.
You have a visa or permission to live, work or study in the United Kingdom.
You live in Ireland, and you are travelling from Ireland, Guernsey, Jersey or the Isle of Man.

Learn more about the ETA. (Gov.uk)

Check our Travel Advice and Advisories for the United Kingdom.

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