ETIAS: Everything you need to know about travel authorization

Visa-exempt travelers visiting the European Union (EU) will need to obtain an electronic travel authorization before departure. The new system, called ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System) will enhance border security.

If you’re a Canadian citizen planning a European getaway, here’s everything you need to know about ETIAS: how to get it, how much it costs, how long it’s valid and more.

ETIAS: Everything you need to know about the electronic travel authorization to visit the European Union - ETIAS-europe

What is ETIAS?

ETIAS is a new entry requirement for nationals of visa-exempt countries wishing to travel to the EU’s Schengen area. This is an electronic travel authorization that can be applied for online before departure for Europe. For low-risk travellers, the application is processed in just a few minutes.

There are many similarities with ESTA, the US electronic travel authorization system, and eTA in Canada.

Why was ETIAS introduced?

ETIAS was set up for several reasons. Firstly, it aims to reinforce security by enabling European authorities to better check travelers’ backgrounds. This will make Europe even safer for visitors.

What’s more, this system simplifies the entry process, avoiding long queues at border checkpoints. It complements visa waiver policies for citizens of 61 countries (including Canada). Finally, ETIAS enables the control of immigration and limit irregular migration.

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Is the ETIAS a visa for visiting Europe?

The ETIAS is not a visa, but an electronic travel authorization. This system is designed to reinforce security at the European Union‘s borders and centralize the control of travel documents.

Canadians visiting the Schengen area for tourism, business or transit do not need a visa if their stay is less than 90 days. If your trip requires a visa (for study or work, for example), you’ll still need to obtain one. The ETIAS does not replace a visa for the Schengen area.

When does ETIAS start?

ETIAS’ launch has been pushed back several times since procedures began in 2016. After an initial 2025 target, then late 2026, the EU agency eu-LISA confirmed in July 2026 that the system will not be ready before 2027, as authorities work through IT issues with the parallel Entry/Exit System (EES) rollout. No firm date has been set yet: eu-LISA’s board is expected to discuss a new timeline in September 2026. We’ll update this article as soon as an official date is announced.

What are the ETIAS requirements?

You must be a citizen of one of the 61 visa-exempt countries to visit the European Union.
Your passport must be valid for more than 3 months and must have been issued less than 10 years ago.
You must have a valid e-mail address.

How do I obtain the ETIAS to travel within the Schengen area?

Obtaining an ETIAS travel authorization is a relatively straightforward process. Here are the steps to follow:

1. Fill in the online form

Visit the official ETIAS website and complete the online application. Please allow about 10 minutes to complete the form. You will need to provide this information:

First name, last name, date of birth, place of birth
Information about your citizenship
Address, e-mail address, telephone number
Education and work experience
First EU country you plan to visit
Questions about your itinerary and travel plans
Questions about your background, such as health, criminal record, countries where you have been refused entry or deported.
Questions about your history of visits to war-torn countries
For family members of European citizens, you must provide proof of your relationship (birth certificate, marriage certificate) and other general information.

2. Pay application fee

ETIAS costs €7 for adults. It is free for people under 18 and over 70. Family members of European citizens are exempt from the fee.

Several payment options will be available, including credit card payment.

Compare

Scotiabank Passport^® Visa Infinite +* Card

Scotiabank Scene+

Annual fee: $150
Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$450Total$450Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.: $450
Welcome offerAfter $10,000 in 6 months: Up to 45,000 points; Ends Jan 3, 2027

With this welcome offer for the Scotiabank Passport^® Visa Infinite^+* Card, available until January 3, 2027, you can earn up to 35,000 welcome bonus Scene+ points:

15,000 Scene+ points after charging $3,000 in purchases to your account within the first three months
An additional 20,000 Scene+ points after charging $10,000 in purchases to your account within the first six months

Plus, every year, earn an annual bonus of at least 10,000 Scene+ points when you charge at least $40,000 in purchases to your account. In total, the offer represents up to 45,000 Scene+ points and a value of up to $1,350 in the first year, including rewards, savings on foreign transaction fees and airport lounge access.

With the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card, you earn 3 points per $1 spent at Sobeys, IGA, Safeway, Foodland and participating Co-ops, and 2 points per $1 spent at other grocery stores, restaurants, eligible entertainment and eligible daily transit. You earn 1 point per $1 on all your other everyday purchases.

These points can be redeemed against any travel purchase at a rate of 1,000 points = $10 (flights, hotels, all-inclusives and even Airbnb), or as cash back with Scene+ at the same rate.

It also includes a new convenient benefit for travellers: enjoy 10 GB of free GigSky global mobile data for 15 days, as well as access to Travel Essentials to use essential apps like messaging, maps, and email while on the go. Cardholders also continue to receive 1 GB of free GigSky mobile data per year, plus a 20% discount on future GigSky purchases.

The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card also offers:

No fees for foreign currency transactions
6 complimentary airport VIP lounge passes
Excellent insurance for your travels and purchases
Visa Infinite* Concierge Services

Legal

* Savings and reward potential in first 12 months includes welcome offer value, estimated first year point earn potential, estimated foreign transaction fee savings and airport lounge savings as of Sep 10, 2026:

$150 in travel rewards (15,000 bonus Scene+ points) for new Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite + Card clients who spend $3,000 within the first 3 months;

$200 in travel rewards (20,000 bonus Scene+ points) for new Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite + Card clients who spend $10,000 within the first 6 months;

$100 in travel rewards (10,000 bonus Scene+ points) when you spend $40,000 annually on your Account each year (12-months: annual points bonus);

$50 supplementary card annual fee waiver on the first supplementary card for new Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite + Card clients;

$130 in foreign transaction fee savings based on average annual foreign spend per account over the last 24 months (save the 2.5% foreign transaction fee markup typically charged by other card issuers);

$363 in first year point earn potential (36,300 Scene+ points) on everyday purchases based on average annual spend per account over the last 24 months with an average spend of 21% in 3X and 2X accelerator categories combined;

$358 value with a complimentary Visa Airport Companion Program Membership that includes 6 lounge passes (based on a ‘Preferential’ membership valued at approx. CAD$358/USD$259). Currency conversion as of Sep 10, 2026.

Potential First Year Value = up to $1,351 (rounded down to $1,350)

Actual savings and points earned will depend on individual card usage and eligibility for applicable offers. Conditions apply.

1 Offer Description and Conditions: The 35,000 Bonus Scene+ Points Offer (the “Offer”) applies only to new Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite + credit card accounts (“Accounts”) that are opened between November 2, 2026, and January 3, 2027 (regardless of the date you apply for the Account) with minimum spend, subject to the conditions below. Offer may be changed, cancelled or extended at any time without notice and cannot be combined with any other offers.

Plus, as a Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite + credit cardholder you are always eligible to earn an annual 10,000 Scene+ point bonus with minimum annual eligible purchases, subject to the conditions below.

35,000 Bonus Scene+ Point Offer Conditions: To qualify for 15,000 bonus Scene+ points (the “15,000 Point Bonus”), you must have at least $3,000 in eligible purchases posted to your new Account within the first 3 months of the Account open date. To qualify for an additional 20,000 bonus Scene+ points (the “20,000 Point Bonus”), you must have at least $10,000 in eligible purchases posted to your new Account in the first 6 months of the Account open date. Eligible purchases include purchases (less any refunds, returns or other similar credits) but do not include payments, cash advances (including balance transfers or cash-like transactions), interest, fees or other charges.

10,000 Annual Bonus Scene+ Point Conditions: As a Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite + credit cardholder you can earn an annual Scene+ point bonus starting at 10,000 Scene+ points (the “Annual Point Bonus”) when you make at least $40,000 in eligible purchases annually on your Account each year (12-months). Annual period starts from the Account open date and resets every 12 months thereafter. If you switch from another Scene+ eligible Credit Card to the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite + Card (vs. it being opened as a new or additional Card), your original Account open date will carry over to your new Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite + Card and your annual period for this benefit will begin on the next anniversary of your original Account open date. For example: If you originally opened a Scotiabank^®* Gold American Express^® Card on January 15, 2022, and switch that Card to the Scotiabank Passport^® Visa Infinite +* Card on July 15, 2025 – your annual period for the 10,000 annual Scene+ point benefit will begin on January 15, 2026 (your next Anniversary) and will reset annually on January 15th afterwards. You can also earn 2,000 bonus Scene+ points for every additional $10,000 in eligible purchases thereafter in that same year, after the $40,000 annual spend has been reached.

Point Bonus Fulfillment: The applicable point Bonus(es) will be credited within approximately 8 weeks after qualifying for a Bonus, provided the Account is open and in good standing. For Joint Accounts with a Primary Borrower and Co-borrower, the applicable point Bonus will be credited as follows: (i) the 15,000 Point Bonus, the 20,000 Point Bonus, and the Annual Point Bonus will be credited to the Scene+ account linked to the Account of the borrower that completed the last transaction to meet the qualifying amount of eligible purchases (i.e., $3,000, $10,000, or $40,000) in the appropriate time frame (i.e., first 3 months, first 6 months, or first 12 months). If a supplementary cardholder completes the last qualifying transaction to meet the qualifying amount of eligible purchases for the 15,000 Point Bonus, the 20,000 Point Bonus or the Annual Point Bonus, the applicable point Bonus will be credited to the Primary Borrower’s Scene+ account linked to the Account. Points can be transferred between Primary and Co-Borrower or Supplementary Cardholder’s Scene+ accounts by contacting Scene+. The Account is considered in good standing if it is not past due or over limit and the Cardholder(s) is not in breach of the Revolving Credit Agreement that applies to the Account. All other terms and conditions of the Program Terms continue to apply during the Offer Period.

Eligibility and Exclusions: Individuals who are currently or were previously primary or secondary cardholders of a Scotiabank personal credit card in the past 2 years, including those that switch from an existing Scotiabank personal credit card, as well as employees of Scotiabank, are not eligible for the Offer. Subject to the above exclusions, Scotiabank small business credit cardholders are also eligible for the Offer.

Rates and Fees: The current annual fee is $150 for the primary card, $0 for the first additional card and $50 for each additional card thereafter (including those issued to co-borrowers and supplementary cardholders). The current preferred annual interest rates for this Account are: 20.99% on purchases and 22.99% on cash advances (including balance transfers and cash-like transactions). All rates, fees, features and benefits are outlined in the Application Disclosure Statement and are subject to change.

Savings at Shell

Get up to 7 cents per litre in instant fuel discounts for a limited time and earn up to 3 cents per litre in Scene+ points value with an eligible Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite + card linked to a Shell Go+ Account:

Instant 3 cents per Litre Discount on Fuel Purchases (All Grades): Receive an instant 3 cents per litre discount on purchases of fuel (all grades) (“Fuel Purchases (All Grades)”) at participating Shell locations in Canada when you use any eligible Scotiabank debit card or credit card linked to a Shell Go+ Account, up to a maximum of 1,000 litres per month per Scotiabank debit card and per Scotiabank credit card account. This total limit resets at the start of each new month per payment card account. This discount is subject to the Scotiabank Fuel Benefit Terms and Conditions.
Instant 4 cents per Litre Discount on Premium Fuel: Between May 26, 2026 and June 1, 2027 (“Promotional Period”), receive an instant 4 cents per litre discount on purchases of V-Power^® gasoline, or V-Power^® diesel (“Premium Fuel Purchases”) at participating Shell locations in Canada when you use any eligible Scotiabank credit card that earns Scene+ points linked to a Shell Go+ Account, up to a maximum of 1,000 litres per month per credit card account. This total limit resets at the start of each new month per credit card account. This promotional offer, including the Promotional Period, may be changed, extended, or withdrawn at any time without notice. These promotional offer terms are in addition to the Scotiabank Fuel Benefit Terms and Conditions.
Earn up to 3 cents per Litre in Scene+ points Value (Equivalent) on Fuel Purchases: Each time you use your linked Scotiabank credit card that earns Scene+ points on Fuel Purchases (All Grades) at participating Shell locations in Canada, you will earn at least 1 Scene+ point per $1 spent. Plus, as a Scene+ Member you will also automatically earn 1 Scene+ point for each litre in Fuel Purchases (All Grades), and as a Shell Go+ member, automatically earn 1 additional Scene+ point for each litre in Premium Fuel Purchases, made with your linked Scotiabank credit card. This means that for every litre in fuel purchased with your linked credit card, you can earn the equivalent of up to 3 cents of redeemable Scene+ points value based on a redemption value of $10 for every 1,000 Scene+ points redeemed for fuel purchases at participating Shell locations. Actual value may be lower depending on how you choose to redeem your Scene+ points. Earn and redemption limits may apply. See the Scene+ Program Terms and Conditions available at sceneplus.ca/terms-and-conditions for full details including redemption options and additional terms.

Note: Highest value of 10 cents per litre assumes a Premium Fuel Purchase made with a Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite + Card linked to a Shell Go+ Account. Actual value will vary depending on payment card used and whether or not the card is linked, fuel grade purchased, and how you choose to redeem your Scene+ points.

Additional 3¢/L at Shell (limited time)

Additional 3¢/L Fuel Discount Offer: Offer valid from October 5, 2026 to December 31, 2026 (“Promotional Period”), eligible Scotiabank credit and debit cardholders enrolled in the Shell Fuel Benefits Program who have linked an eligible Scotiabank payment card (an “Eligible Card”) to their Shell Go+ account will receive an additional instant fuel discount of 3 cents per litre on eligible fuel purchases at participating Shell-branded retail locations in Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and the Northwest Territories (the “Eligible Provinces”) excluding Shell Flying J locations. Fuel purchases made outside the Eligible Provinces are not eligible for this offer.

To receive the additional fuel discount, customers must pay with their linked Eligible Card at the time of purchase.

The additional fuel discount is in addition to the fuel savings available through the Shell Fuel Benefits Program and may be combined with other eligible fuel discounts, rewards programs, and promotional fuel offers unless otherwise stated in the applicable offer terms and conditions.

The additional fuel discount is available on up to 1,000 litres of eligible fuel purchases per calendar month for each Eligible Card. The 1,000-litre limit resets at the beginning of each calendar month.

The additional fuel discount is non-transferable, is not redeemable for cash, and cannot be substituted or exchanged.

Participation in the Shell Fuel Benefits Program is subject to the applicable program terms and conditions available at Scotiabank Fuel Benefit Terms and Conditions.

Shell Canada reserves the right to make changes to this offer and to terminate the offer at any time, for any reason and without notice.

All other applicable terms and conditions of the Shell Fuel Benefits Program, Shell Go+ and Scotiabank continue to apply.

Annual fee

Primary card$150

Additional card$0

Annual income required

Individual$60,000

Household$100,000

Conversion fees

Earning rate

3xWith the partner brand
2xGroceries
2xRestaurants
2xTransit
2xEntertainment
1xAll spending

Value

1st Year Value$704

2nd Year Value$397

Card benefits

Concierge service24/7

Airport lounge access$240

Travel insurance

Travel medical (under 55)Up to $2,000,000 / 25 days

Travel medical (55-64)Up to $2,000,000 / 25 days

Travel medical (65+)Up to $2,000,000 / 3 days

Trip CancellationUp to $1,500

Trip InterruptionUp to $2,500

Delayed BaggageUp to $1,000

Lost BaggageUp to $1,000

Flight DelayUp to $500

Hotel BurglaryUp to $1,000

Travel AccidentUp to $500,000

Purchase protection

Purchase ProtectionIncluded

Extended Warranty+1 years

Auto Rental CollisionUp to $65,000 / 48 days

3. Wait for approval

Most requests will be processed within minutes, with a maximum turnaround time of 96 hours. You will receive your ETIAS at the e-mail address provided.

However, in some cases, applicants may be asked to provide additional information or documents, or even be invited to an interview with the national authorities, which could extend the processing time by up to 30 days.

It is advisable to obtain ETIAS even before you buy your plane tickets to Europe.

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ETIAS terms and conditions

How long is the ETIAS valid?

The ETIAS will be valid for three years from the date of issue, unless your passport expires earlier. In this case, the ETIAS will expire on the same date as the passport. You can therefore use the same ETIAS for other stays in Europe during the validity period.

Which countries are covered by ETIAS?

ETIAS is applicable toSchengen countries plus a few other European countries. You can use a single authorization to travel to any country within its period of validity. A total of 33 countries will require ETIAS when it will be introduced:

Germany
Austria
Belgium
Bulgaria
Cyprus
Croatia
Denmark
Spain
Estonia
Finland
France
Greece
Hungary
Iceland
Italy
Latvia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
Monaco
Norway
Netherlands
Poland
Portugal
Czech Republic
Romania
San Marino
Slovakia
Slovenia
Sweden
Switzerland
Vatican City

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Bottom Line

ETIAS is an important measure introduced by the European Union to strengthen border security while making travel easier for visitors. It takes just a few minutes to apply online, costs €7 and is valid for 3 years. Make sure you apply in advance to avoid any last-minute inconveniences and make the most of your trip to Europe.