Schengen DaysHow long can Canadian citizens stay in Europe?
As a Canadian citizen you can travel to the Schengen Area visa-free for short stays — but not indefinitely. The limit is 90 days in any rolling 180-day period across the whole area combined. From 2026 you will also need an ETIAS travel authorisation, though it does not add any extra days.
The 90/180 rule for Canadian passport holders
Canada is on the EU's visa-exempt list, so you do not apply for a visa for a holiday, business trip or family visit. You may spend at most 90 days within any 180-day period — and that is a single shared total across every Schengen country. A week in France, a week in Italy and a week in Spain all draw from the same 90 days. The days need not be consecutive; you can split them across several trips inside the same window.
Counting your days correctly
The 180-day window is not a calendar half-year — it rolls. On any date, look back over the previous 180 days and add up every day you were physically inside the area. Both your entry day and your exit day count as full days, no matter the time you crossed the border. Since the new Entry/Exit System (EES) now logs your entries and exits automatically at the border, your record is precise — so keep your own count accurate too and verify it against the official EU short-stay calculator.
ETIAS from 2026: what changes for Canadians
Once ETIAS launches, Canadian visitors will need to apply online for a travel authorisation before departure. It is a quick, low-cost pre-screening — not a visa — and it does not extend the 90/180 limit. Your 90 days stay exactly 90 days. If you want to stay longer, you need a national long-stay (type D) visa or residence permit from the specific country, which sits outside the 90/180 rule. Rules can change, so always confirm current requirements with official EU and Canadian government sources before you travel.
Frequently asked questions
Do Canadians need a visa for Europe?
No, not for short stays. Canadian citizens can enter the Schengen Area visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. From 2026 you will need an ETIAS travel authorisation, but that is not a visa.
Is it 90 days per country or 90 days total?
It is 90 days total across the entire Schengen Area, not per country. Days spent in France, Germany, Italy and every other Schengen country add up to the same shared 90-day allowance.
Does ETIAS let Canadians stay longer than 90 days?
No. ETIAS is only a pre-travel authorisation and does not add any days. The limit stays at 90 days in any 180-day period. For a longer stay you need a national long-stay visa or residence permit.
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