10 tips for Canadians travelling to Europe in 2024, from visa requirements to tipping culture
Planning a European vacation this year? Whether you're eyeing a summer trip spent Greek island hopping or you'll be heading to Paris this fall, there are plenty of things you'll want to keep in mind before you head out.
From entry rules to what to pack, there are quite a few key things that Canadians should be sure to prepare for if they're travelling overseas.
To help, we've laid out a few key tips for Canucks visiting Europe in 2024. Including requirements for your Canadian passport, how to get a tax refund and local tipping etiquette, here are 10 things to keep in mind before embarking on your trip.
Check visa requirements
Before travelling to Europe, make sure you're aware of the entry requirements of the country or countries you'll be visiting.
While Canadians won't need a visa to visit most European countries, some have different rules when it comes to how long Canadians can visit visa-free.
For instance, in Schengen area countries such as Iceland, Italy, Portugal and Spain, visa-free travel only applies to stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period and includes visits to any Schengen area country.
Other countries outside the Schengen area may have different rules. In the United Kingdom, for example, tourist visas are not required for stays of up to six months.
According to the Government of Canada, it's important to get your passport stamped when you first enter the Schengen area.
Without this, you may run into problems if you encounter the local police (or other authorities) anywhere in the Schengen area during your visit or with immigration officials when you depart.
Make sure your passport is valid
How long your passport needs to be valid for will also vary by country.
For instance, in Schengen zone countries, your Canadian passport must be valid for at least three months beyond the date you expect to leave the area.
Other European countries, such as Andorra, only require that your passport be valid for the duration of your stay.
Some countries in Europe are landlocked and without their own airports, meaning you'll have to also meet the entry rules of neighbouring countries in order to visit.
You can check the entry and exit requirements of a country by referring to Canada's travel advisory page.
Pack an adapter
Be aware that your Canadian appliances won't fit in the electrical outlets in Europe, which uses two round prong outlets unlike the flat pin outlets used in Canada.
A simple solution is to purchase a power adaptor or voltage converter beforehand. A voltage converter can also save you from potentially frying your hair dryer, as Europe uses 220 volts, compared to Canada's 110, according to the Travel Industry Council of Ontario.
If you're partial to Apple products, the company sells a World Travel Adapter Kit that you can buy on Amazon. However, you can get them from pretty much any travel store and even at the airport for last-minute shoppers.
It may be a good idea to bring more than one — that way, you can charge multiple items at once.
Travel with local currency
If you're travelling to Europe, you'll want to have some of the local currency on hand, which is especially important if you’re travelling outside big tourist cities to smaller towns.
While many European Union countries use the euro, some countries still use their own national currencies. Currently, the euro is the official currency of 20 out of 27 EU member countries which together constitute the Eurozone.
They are Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia and Spain.
There are also six countries that are part of the EU but use their own national currencies: Bulgaria, Czechia, Hungary, Poland, Romania, and Sweden.
Non-EU member countries, including Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein, use their national currencies.
It's a good idea to check beforehand what kind of currency you'll need for your trip and to have some on hand.
Besides cash, you can usually also use your Canadian credit card when travelling in Europe, but be aware of differing conversion rates depending on the local currency.
Be aware of tourist fees
As a Canadian, there are certain fees you'll have to pay when visiting Europe that vary by country.
Many countries impose tourist taxes on foreigners in certain major cities, usually added to the price of the tourist's accommodation.
For instance, Barcelona in Spain charges a tourist tax that's levied on official tourist lodging and varies depending on the type of accommodation. As of April 2024, the tax is 6.75 euros (about CA$9.92) for five-star hotels, 4.95 euros for four-star hotels, and 5.50 euros for "housing for tourist use."
Other European countries including Switzerland, France, Portugal and Greece also charge tourist taxes. Check with your accommodation or the tourism board for each destination before travelling to be sure how much you need to pay.
Canadians will also have to soon pay a fee to visit 30 countries in Europe.
Starting in the first half of 2025, Canadians will have to pay a travel authorization called the ETIAS to travel to countries including Portugal, Belgium, Iceland, Greece, Italy, France, and Germany.
The ETIAS will allow travellers to stay in the territory of European countries requiring an ETIAS for up to 90 days within any 180-day period.
A full list of countries where the ETIAS will apply can be found on the European Union website.
Once it does come into effect, Canadians will be charged a fee of 7 euros (CA$10.29).
Get a VAT refund
Canadians visiting the EU who are about to leave EU territory to go home or to some other place outside the area may be able to buy goods free of VAT.
VAT, which stands for "value added tax," is a sales tax included in the price you pay for the goods you purchase while in the EU.
As someone who does not live in the EU, however, a Canadian traveller is eligible to buy goods free of VAT in special shops.
Generally, you will have to pay the VAT while shopping, but can get a refund on the tax.
The European Commission advises asking the shop assistant in advance whether they provide this service, and finding out what threshold applies to the purchase in order to be eligible for a refund.
To get your refund, you'll need to show your passport or other identity document proving your residence outside the EU, and will be asked to fill out a form.
You'll then receive an invoice for the goods which you must show to customs officers of the last EU country you leave in order to obtain the refund.
According to the European Commission, you can claim your VAT refund in bigger airports immediately; otherwise, you will have to send the refund form to the address given to you in the shop.
You can also get a refund on VAT when shopping in other European countries that are not members of the EU, such as Iceland and the U.K.
Know the local laws
Remember that different countries will have different local laws that you must abide by. Some apply to certain activities that may be perfectly legal in Canada, but could land you in hot water while abroad.
For instance, in Italy, certain municipalities — particularly those that see a high number of visitors like Venice, Rome, and Florence — have adopted strict public conduct rules, according to the Government of Canada.
In these areas, certain behaviours including sitting, eating or drinking on a monument or an archaeological landmark, walking in an urban setting in swimwear or without a shirt, and feeding pigeons are actually illegal.
Other European countries have their own rules for activities that would be innocuous in Canada. In Spain, some municipalities, including Barcelona, have banned beachwear outside of local beaches, and those caught could face on-the-spot fines.
Be sure to research the destination you're travelling to. You can consult the Government of Canada's travel advisories for information regarding local laws and culture.
Understand tipping etiquette
While tipping is practically obligatory in Canada, tipping culture is much different in Europe.
While it varies by country, generally, tips are not expected in Europe as they are in Canada.
"For most, tips are not expected in Europe, and it's fine not to tip at all, especially in more casual settings like bars or cafes," says ETIAS.com.
The website lays out tipping etiquette in several popular European destinations. For example, in France, tips are not obligatory, it says, and diners instead may notice a "service compris" or "service included" fee equivalent to 15 percent of the bill added to their cheque.
That said, diners may want to still leave something small to show their appreciation; in this case, they can simply round up the bill to the next euro, a common practice for when a larger tip may not be warranted.
For other country-specific tipping information, travellers can look to the local tourism board for their destination, which will often have information on local tipping etiquette.
Consider a budget airline
While Canada doesn't have many budget airlines flying to Europe, in 2023, Play Airlines launched its first flights from the True North, offering Canucks cheap flights to over 30 European destinations.
With Play, you can fly from Toronto to destinations like Greece, France, Italy, Portugal and more for considerably cheaper than other major Canadian airlines.
The airline also frequently has sales that offer additional savings on their already cheap flights.
Check baggage restrictions
If you'll be travelling in Europe, be aware that local European airlines will often have different luggage restrictions compared to those of Canada.
For instance, if you were travelling to the islands of Greece, you'd likely have to take a Greek flight once you arrive in the country on your flight from Canada.
While your Canadian airline may have not had any restrictions on cabin baggage weight (Air Canada, for instance, specifies that cabin baggage has no weight restrictions but must be light enough that you can store it unassisted), the local airline you fly with in your destination may have different rules.
Popular Greek airline Aegean, for instance, says that carry-on baggage must weigh no more than 8 kilograms (17.6 pounds).
Be sure to check the luggage requirements for every airline you'll be flying with to avoid any hassles during your trip.
Bon voyage!
Before you get going, check out our Responsible Travel Guide so you can be informed, be safe, be smart, and most of all, be respectful on your adventure.
Charlie Hart waiting to board the Lynx flight.
The view out of the plane window over Calgary.