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Schengen Visas, EES and ETIAS
Last updated: 2026-09-17
A Schengen visa covers short visits to most of Europe for tourism, family or business. Holders of visa-required passports, including Chinese passports, need one; Canadians are visa-exempt but still bound by the 90/180 rule and will need an ETIAS once it launches. Since April 10, 2026 the Entry/Exit System has been fully operational across the Schengen area, registering facial images and fingerprints and recording entries and exits electronically rather than by passport stamp — which makes overstaying very difficult to disguise. This page covers the visa, the fees and both new systems.
- Stay rule
- 90 days in any 180-day period
- Visa fee
- €80 for adults, with reductions for children aged 6 to 12 and some other groups
- Insurance
- €30,000 minimum cover, valid across the Schengen area for the whole stay
- When to file
- No earlier than six months before travel, and at least 15 calendar days ahead
Official processing times
These visas are decided by each country's missions in Canada, and there is no single published dataset. Below are the official pages where each one publishes its processing times and appointment information:
- France: France-Visas, applying from Canadafrance-visas.gouv.fr ↗
- Germany: short stay / Schengen visa, missions in Canadacanada.diplo.de ↗
- Italy: Consulate General in Vancouver, visasconsvancouver.esteri.it ↗
- Italy: Consulate General in Toronto, visasconstoronto.esteri.it ↗
- Switzerland: Schengen visa application and procedureschweiz-kanada.eda.admin.ch ↗
We also chase interview appointments
Consular interview slots are often taken within minutes of opening. We monitor the booking systems, help pick the right location and rebook earlier slots where possible, and prepare the interview file alongside.
Book a consultationProcessing times and appointment availability swing with the season; in peak periods (summer, year end) an appointment can be weeks or months out. The links above are the official pages — their published figures govern.
Which applies to you
Schengen short-stay visa (type C)
- For nationals of visa-required countries, including China
- Up to 90 days in any 180-day period
- Single, double or multiple entry
- €80
ETIAS travel authorisation
- For visa-exempt nationals, including Canadians
- Expected in the last quarter of 2026
- €20, applied for online
- Not a visa; the 90/180 rule still applies
Entry/Exit System (EES)
- Fully operational since April 10, 2026
- Facial image and fingerprints taken on entry
- Electronic records, with days counted automatically
- Applies to all non-EU travellers, visa-exempt included
Where it applies
- The Schengen area covers most EU states and several non-EU countries
- One Schengen visa normally covers the whole area
- Ireland is outside Schengen and needs its own visa
- Long stays, work and study require a national visa instead
How the 90/180 rule works
This is the calculation most often got wrong, and the most common reason for refusal at the border.
- It looks backwards: on any day of entry, count back 180 days; total days spent in the Schengen area must not exceed 90
- Both the day of entry and the day of exit count as days of stay
- The 90 days are cumulative, need not be consecutive, and do not reset on each entry
- Validity and permitted stay are different things: a five-year multiple-entry visa does not allow five years of residence
- With EES in force the count is produced automatically from electronic records, not passport stamps
- Overstaying can mean fines, removal and refusal of future Schengen visas
Key points of an application
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Where to lodge | With the country of main destination, where you will spend the longest; if equal, the country of first entry |
| When | No earlier than six months before travel, and at least 15 calendar days before |
| Fee | €80 for adults, reduced for children aged 6 to 12 and certain other applicants |
| Insurance | At least €30,000, valid in all Schengen states for the whole stay, covering emergency care, hospitalisation and medical repatriation |
| Biometrics | Fingerprints and a photo at first application, generally reusable for 59 months |
| Residents of Canada | May file in Canada with the relevant consulate or visa centre on the basis of lawful residence here |
Consulates differ on document lists, appointments and processing. When a trip covers several countries, choosing the right one to apply to is the first decision, and getting it wrong can have the file returned.
European Commission: applying for a Schengen visa →How to apply
- 1
Identify the main destination
Apply to the country where you will spend the longest; where days are equal, to the country of first entry. Everything else follows from this.
- 2
Buy qualifying insurance
At least €30,000 of cover, valid across the Schengen area for the whole stay, including emergency treatment, hospitalisation and medical repatriation.
- 3
Prepare documents and book an appointment
Passport, photo, itinerary and flight reservation, accommodation, proof of funds, employment and income; an invitation for family visits. Book with the consulate or its visa centre.
- 4
File and give biometrics
First-time applicants attend in person for fingerprints and a photo. Pay the visa fee, plus any service fee charged by the centre.
- 5
Wait for the decision
Processing varies by country and season; file early in peak periods, and avoid non-refundable bookings before a visa is issued.
- 6
Arrive
At the border, EES registers your facial image and fingerprints, and you may be asked for insurance, itinerary, accommodation and funds.
Common questions
Do Canadian citizens need a visa for Europe?+
Not for short tourism, family or business visits, but the 90/180 rule applies. Once ETIAS launches, expected in the last quarter of 2026, an online authorisation costing €20 will be required before travel. Since April 10, 2026 EES also registers facial images and fingerprints on entry, which applies to visa-exempt travellers too.
I am a Canadian permanent resident with a Chinese passport — can I apply here?+
Yes. Permanent residents holding a visa-required passport can apply in Canada, at the consulate or designated visa centre of the main destination country, on the basis of lawful residence here. Bring the PR card or other valid status document; some countries also ask for evidence of how long you have lived in Canada.
My multiple-entry visa is valid five years — can I stay five years?+
No. Validity is the period in which you may enter; the stay is still capped at 90 days in any 180. With EES the count is now automatic, so errors are far more consequential than they used to be.
My trip covers several countries — where do I apply?+
To the country where you will spend the most days. If the days are equal, to the country of first entry. Applying to the wrong consulate is a common reason for a file being returned, so settle this while planning the itinerary.
What if I am refused?+
A Schengen refusal comes with written reasons and an appeal route, to be pursued with the deciding country within its own deadline. In practice it is usually more effective to address the stated reason and reapply — common ones are an itinerary that does not match the funds, non-compliant insurance, doubts about the purpose, or weak ties to your country of residence. Trying a different country instead is a poor strategy: the states share a common visa information system.
Wondering whether you qualify?
Contact us for an assessment and plan tailored to your background.
Book a consultationThis page summarizes official information from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for general reference only. Immigration rules change often, so always check IRCC's latest requirements. Every case is different — contact us for an assessment of your situation.