Europe’s Entry/Exit System (EES) is already causing no small amount of hassle – and airport wait times of up to five hours – for visitors to Europe.

Now the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) – which requires both a permit and a fee – is officially on the way too, for fall travel that’s just around the corner.

The Canadian government has updated the Entry & Exit Requirements for more than two dozen of its listings at Travel.gc.ca with the ETIAS heads up.

“The European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) is planned to begin operations in the last quarter of 2026 (between September and December 2026),” says the new info from Global Affairs Canada.

“Applications are not yet open. Be cautious of fraudulent websites claiming to sell ETIAS authorizations. Apply only through the official EU website once the system is launched.”

Not that visitors are looking forward to the ETIAS – but it’s been a long time coming, years in fact, with delay after delay. The EES is the back-end of the system, and the ETIAS is the front-end, always pegged to launch six months or more after the EES. The EES began rolling out in October 2025 and was fully up and running by April 2026.

The ETIAS requires qualifying travellers from some 60 visa-exempt countries, including Canada, to apply for an entry permit in advance of their trip, and pay 7 EUR. The permit will be valid for three years.

The list of European countries that will require the ETIAS permit and fee from travellers includes: 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.

“You must apply online and pay for an ETIAS before you travel to any one of 30 European countries. Your ETIAS expires after 3 years or when your passport expires, whichever comes first. You must travel with the same passport you used to apply for ETIAS. Once you arrive, you can stay for up to 90 days, in any of the participating countries combined, in a 180-day period. Longer stays may be possible in countries with an existing bilateral agreement with Canada,” says Global Affairs Canada in its Entry & Exit Requirements update for more than two dozen European destinations.

The updates also include ETIAS info for dual citizens of Canada and participating countries. Global Affairs Canada’s site with the updated listings is here.

Industry Demands A Solution

As reported earlier, border control wait times have skyrocketed as Europe’s airports grapple with the EES – and that has industry groups calling on the European Commission for a solution, fast, for the busy summer months.

Since its rollout the EES has seen border control slowdowns at airports across the continent. With wait times during peak traffic periods at some airports hitting upwards of 5 hours, “we have reached a critical point,” said Airports Council International (ACI) Europe in a July 1 letter to EC President Ursula von der Leyen.

“The current implementation of the EES is creating severe operational consequences disrupting passengers and putting border authorities, airports and airlines under unsustainable pressure,” said ACI Europe.

The group urges von der Leyden and the EC’s “immediate intervention” before the situation deteriorates further during the peak summer travel season.

One possible solution put forth by ACI Europe: Give member states the flexibility needed to completely suspend EES, at least for the busy months of July and August.

Some airports including Rome (FCO) have threatened to suspend EES during the busy summer months in a last-ditch effort to alleviate mounting delays.

The group also wants permanent operational flexibility to allow Border Control Authorities to suspend EES procedures under exceptional circumstances.

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) is also calling out EES for disrupting travel. If the EES issues aren’t addressed, says the WTTC, Europe could be at a “clear disadvantage” compared to other global destinations offering faster, more seamless entry processes.

According to wire news service Agence France-Presse (AFP), in a report picked up by CTV News, the European Commission’s Magnus Brunner, Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration, said in a July 3 letter that the EC will “make additional efforts to help those member states that still encounter issues.”

Brunner has reportedly promised to meet with industry groups tomorrow, July 7, for discussions.

Source: Travelweek