Canadian travellers to Europe face new border measures as security ramps up
Global News
Canadians heading to Europe will soon need new travel clearance as EU officials roll out biometric checks and a €20 ETIAS pass next year.
Many Canadian travellers to Europe are being asked to reveal more about themselves as officials begin to usher in new security measures.
European countries are rolling out a border management system to register people for short stays and, starting late next year, many visitors will need to obtain electronic travel authorizations in advance.
The first initiative, the Entry/Exit System, is intended to modernize border management across the 29 European countries using the system by electronically registering non-European nationals’ entries, exits and entry refusals.
The system, which is set to be fully in place by April 10, applies to visitors with short-stay visas as well as travellers — including many from Canada — who do not need a visa to stay for a maximum of 90 days in any 180-day period.
The system uses various means, including electronic kiosks, to collect facial images and fingerprints to verify identities. Officials say the biometric data will help determine whether people are exceeding their permitted stay and contribute to the fight against organized crime and terrorism.
The Entry/Exit System was set up because European countries have for too long lacked a centralized overview of people entering, leaving and staying, said Uku Sarekanno, deputy executive director of Frontex, the European border and coast guard agency.
“In Europe, if you look at the figures, irregular migration is down,” Sarekanno said during a recent visit to Ottawa to meet counterparts. “At the same time, the topic as such is very high on the political agenda.”
The new measures address these voter concerns and help build “trust in the system,” he added.
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