Whether a visa is required to visit Europe depends on the country being visited.

Canadian citizens are not required to have a visa to enter several European countries – known as the Schengen Area or Schengen zone – for stays up-to 90 days (known as “short stays”) in any 180-day period. Canadians can travel visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day period for tourism, business, or transit. If a traveller leaves and returns in the same 180-day period, their previous stay will count toward the 90-day limit.

Schengen Area – no visa required

The Schengen Area is made up of the following 29 European Union countries:

• Austria
• Belgium
• Croatia
• Czech Republic
• Cyprus
• Denmark
• Estonia
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• Greece
• Hungary
• Iceland
• Italy
• Latvia
• Liechtenstein
• Lithuania
• Luxembourg
• Malta
• Netherlands
• Norway
• Poland
• Portugal
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
• Spain
• Sweden
• Switzerland

Cyprus and Ireland

Cyprus and Ireland belong to the European Union but not to the Schengen area and Canadian citizens do not need a visa for a short stay in these countries, only a valid passport.

Travelling between countries in the Schengen Area

The 29 European countries in the Schengen Area have common entry and exit requirements. This removes the need for internal borders, allowing travellers to move freely between these countries without needing to go through border checks or get separate visas.

Passport required

Canadian citizens are required to show a passport valid for at least 3 months their planned departure date. Prior to April 10, 2026, Border officers would stamp a Canadian traveller’s passport when they enter and leave the Schengen Area. This alone served as proof of entry or exit.

NEW EU Entry/Exit System (EES) / Biometrics required

The EU Entry/Exit System (EES), a new digital registration system, was fully implemented on April 10, 2026, to replace the manual stamping of passports, although providing a valid passport is still required. As of this date, non-EU travellers, including Canadians, are subject to the EES digital system (biometrics – fingerprinting and facial data registration) when travelling for short stays of up-to 90 days in any 180-day period in the Schengen Area. (Note: there may be some countries still transitioning from the old method of stamping passports).

Upcoming travel authorization requirements for the Schengen Area – ETIAS

Beginning sometime in late 2026, before entering countries in the Schengen Area for short stays of up-to 90 days in any 180-day period, Canadians will need to obtain a European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) travel authorization. This does not replace the EES. It is in addition to it.

What countries are not part of the Schengen Area and may require a visa?

The following countries are not part of the Schengen Area and have their own border rules:

• Albania
• Belarus
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• North Macedonia
• Moldova
• Montenegro
• Russia
• Serbia
• United Kingdom
• Ukraine

Refer to the Government of Canada website Travel advice and advisories by destination for information on visiting these countries, including any visa or other travel authorization requirements.

More information

Refer to the Government of Canada website Travelling to Europe for more information.

								
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