04/01/2026
𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐥 𝐧𝐞𝐰𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐩 𝐭𝐨 𝐄𝐮𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞 𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐔𝐊 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫!
Two big entry requirements are now in effect (or almost there), and they WILL affect your trip if you don't know about them. Let me break it down for you!
𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐔𝐊 𝐄𝐓𝐀 (𝐄𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐜 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐥 𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧)
This one is already up and running! If you're visiting the UK, or even just passing through as a transit passenger, you now need an ETA before you travel. It's a quick online application, but it must be done in advance. No ETA? No entry. Simple as that!
And yes, this applies to Canadians too. Even if you're stopping in London on your way somewhere else, you need it. (We've seen clients catch this at the last minute, and the stress is NOT worth it!)
𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐄𝐔 𝐄𝐄𝐒 (𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐲/𝐄𝐱𝐢𝐭 𝐒𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦)
Europe's new digital border tracking system is expected to be fully in place by April 10, 2026! This replaces the old passport stamp system with a digital scan of your fingerprints and photo at the EU border. It applies to non-EU visitors, including us Canadians.
And here's the good news about EES: you don't need to do anything in advance! It all happens right at the airport when you arrive. No online applications, no pre-registration. You simply go through the process at the border and you're on your way! We had to do it last month while travelling in Europe. It did mean some longer lines at the airports, so beware!
𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐞'𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐩𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠:
If you're on a cruise with multiple EU ports, each country entry and exit gets recorded digitally. If you're doing a self-driving trip through Europe, plan for extra time at border crossings, especially in the early days of the system rolling out.
𝐎𝐧𝐞 𝐛𝐢𝐠 𝐩𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐭𝐢𝐩 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐝𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐝𝐚𝐲:
Most EU airports are already recommending you arrive at least 4 hours before your flight when departing! The new EES exit processing adds time at the border, and the last thing you want is to miss your flight home because the line was longer than expected. So if your old habit was rolling up two hours before an international flight, it's time to adjust that plan! (Future you will absolutely thank present you for this one.)
𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐋𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐧 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔: 𝐄𝐓𝐈𝐀𝐒 (𝐊𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐎𝐧 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐑𝐚𝐝𝐚𝐫!)
There's one more change on the horizon, and while it's NOT in effect yet, it's worth knowing about now! The European Travel Information and Authorisation System, or ETIAS, is expected to launch later in 2026. Think of it as Europe's version of Canada's eTA system.
Canadian citizens will need to apply online and pay a small fee before traveling to participating European countries. The great news? Once approved, your ETIAS is valid for three years, or until your passport expires. So it's a one-and-done process for a good stretch of time!
Again, ETIAS is NOT required yet. But when it launches, I'll be right here with all the details you need!
The bottom line? Europe isn't closing its doors. It's just getting smarter about tracking who comes and goes!
