Will Canadians be able to work and live in Europe for free now?
When Canada was invited to become an “associate member” of the European Union on Wednesday, people across the country wondered what benefits this new, if unprecedented, status might bring.
During the State of the Union address in France on Wednesday, EU President Ursula von der Leyen announced a proposal to make Canada the first-ever associate member of the EU. That raised questions about what this could mean for Canadians who want to live, work, or travel across Europe.
The next day, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney addressed European lawmakers, expressing enthusiasm for the move. He said, “Canada welcomes this ambition,” though he also acknowledged that the membership still needs to be defined.
Carney also mentioned that polling shows an overwhelming majority of Canadians support closer ties with Europe, which suggests many are optimistic about expanding opportunities.
CANADA WELCOMES THE INVITATION TO BECOME AN ASSOCIATE MEMBER OF THE EUROPEAN UNION!
And Carney laid out its plan for how to make this unique partnership a reality: https://t.co/CX8WpcuZZd pic.twitter.com/vqPoQgWFx5
— NXT EU (@NXT4EU) September 17, 2026
Travelling Europe on vacation is already relatively easy, but now, Canadians are wondering if it would make working and travelling in Europe easier — or even free.
Currently, citizens of the EU can stay in Canada for up to six months without a visa, but for Canadians who want to live or work in Europe, the process is much more complicated.
Canadians can visit most of the countries in the Schengen Area without a visa for up to 90 days. The Schengen Area is a group of European countries that have removed most border checks between them, making it easy to travel from one country to another.
But that 90-day rule is for short visits. It does not give Canadians the right to move to Europe, take a job, or stay indefinitely.
During Carney’s speech on Thursday, he called for open borders, which was met with a lot of applause.
“We should deepen our people-to-people ties, allowing our youth to work, study, and live where they want, on either side of the Atlantic,” he said. While it sounds promising, the specifics still need to be ironed out.
If a Canadian wants to relocate to somewhere like Italy or Spain, they would need to apply for the appropriate visa or residence permit and meet that country’s requirements. The process can involve finding an eligible job or school program, providing documents, and paying application fees.
For Canadians aged 18 to 35 who want to bypass Europe’s rigorous immigration process, they can apply for an IEC (International Experience Canada), a government program that allows folks to work in over 35 countries for up to two years. Of course, that also comes with fees.
And if Canada and the EU eventually agree to new mobility rules, Canadians of all ages could have more options, and perhaps some that are free or relatively affordable.
As for short visits, the EU has also delayed the introduction of a new travel authorization system called ETIAS, which Canadians will eventually need to apply for online before travelling to participating European countries. The planned fee is €20 (around C$32), and the authorization will be valid for up to three years, or until the passport expires.
ETIAS will not give Canadians the right to live or work in Europe. It is simply a travel authorization for short visits.
An electronic travel authorization is currently required for Canadians who want to visit and stay in the United Kingdom for up to six months.
Carney remains in Europe as discussions continue, and more details about the proposed membership are expected to emerge in the coming days and weeks.