New European Entry System Affects Canadian Travelers: What You Need to Know

Starting October 12, 2025, a new digital border system will impact your Canadian clients traveling to Europe.

What is EES?

The Entry/Exit System (EES) is Europe's new automated border control system. Instead of stamping passports, it will digitally record when travelers enter and leave 29 European countries, including popular destinations like France, Italy, Spain, Germany, and the Netherlands.

Who Does This Affect?

All Canadian citizens traveling to these European countries for short stays (up to 90 days within any 180-day period) will need to register in the EES system. This applies whether your clients need a visa or are traveling visa-free.

The system covers these 29 countries:

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, and Switzerland.

What's Different for Travelers?

• First-time registration: Travelers will provide fingerprints and a digital photo
• No more passport stamps: Digital tracking replaces physical stamps
• Faster future crossings: Self-service kiosks will speed up repeat visits
• 90-day tracking: The system automatically calculates stay limits across all participating countries

Who Is Exempt?

• EU citizens and residents
• People with long-term residence permits
• Certain business travelers (intra-corporate transfers)
• Students and researchers on specific programs
• Diplomats and heads of state

What This Means for Your Business

Advise clients to:

• Allow extra time at borders during the initial rollout
• Ensure their passports are in good condition for digital scanning
• Be prepared for biometric data collection on their first trip after October 12, 2025

The system aims to make future border crossings faster and more secure, but the initial implementation period may involve longer wait times as travelers and border officers adjust to the new process.

2025-08-13 15:05:42