Canadian travelers planning a trip to Europe in 2025 will need to apply for a new travel document before their departure.
The European Union (EU) is introducing two new border management programs to enhance security for both residents and tourists. These initiatives, the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) and the Entry/Exit System (EES), will gather traveler information into a digital database, though they collect different types of data.
While the EES was originally set to launch in November 2024, its start date has been postponed, and travelers will not need to apply for this program before their trip. A spokesperson for the European Commission confirmed that the ETIAS program will be operational six months after the EES goes live.
“The revised ETIAS plan will be discussed and agreed upon by the Commission, Member States, and eu-LISA, considering the expected launch of the EES,” the spokesperson explained.
