Canadian travellers heading to much of Europe will now face new border procedures, as countries in the Schengen area have begun rolling out a continent-wide entry/exit system requiring biometric data from non-EU visitors.
The new system, which took effect on October 12, applies to nationals from outside the European Union and the Schengen-associated states of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. It will be gradually implemented across 29 countries, with full enforcement expected by April 10, 2026.
Canadian government travel advisories have been updated to reflect the change, informing travellers that they will need to register through the automated system upon arrival at the external border of any participating country. There is no action required prior to travel — registration happens on arrival.
The affected countries include 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.
According to European Union documents, the system will collect key personal information from travel documents, including the traveller’s full name, date of birth and nationality, as well as the date and place of each entry and exit. It will also capture biometric data, such as facial images and/or fingerprints, and record instances where entry is refused.
European officials say the system is intended to modernize border checks, replace traditional passport stamps with digital records, and streamline cross-border travel while enhancing security. By tracking biometric and entry-exit data, authorities aim to prevent irregular migration, detect overstays, and combat identity fraud.
“The EES will give border officers and law enforcement authorities access to important traveller information, helping them to spot security risks and support the fight against serious crimes and terrorism,” EU officials said.
Impacted countries
The countries using the system include:
- Austria
- Belgium
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Czechia
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta,
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland