Travel insurance for an Italian Schengen visa from the UAE

Do you need travel insurance for an Italian visa?

Yes, if you live in the UAE and need a Schengen visa for Italy. The EU Visa Code requires travel medical insurance, and both Italian checklists in the UAE list it.¹ BLS International, the visa centre in Abu Dhabi, calls the insurance certificate a mandatory requirement.²

UAE nationals do not need a visa for stays of up to 90 days in any 180, unless they travel to carry out a paid activity.³

Your emirate decides which checklist applies

If you live in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, you apply to the Italian Embassy in Abu Dhabi, through BLS International since 1 September 2023. If you live in Dubai or the Northern Emirates, you apply to the Consulate General in Dubai through VFS Dubai.⁴

To apply in Abu Dhabi you must hold a UAE residence visa issued in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. GCC citizens may prove residence with an Emirates ID showing Abu Dhabi, Al Ain or Al Dhafra.⁵

If you live in Dubai or the Northern Emirates, your policy needs unlimited hospital cover

The Dubai checklist (footer v. June 2026) asks for at least 30,000 euro and “full and unlimited coverage for hospitalisation”, with an emergency repatriation flight and repatriation of mortal remains. You hand in a detailed table of benefits.⁶ The Consulate General lists this checklist on its visa forms page.⁷

The unlimited hospital line is in the Dubai checklist only. The Visa Code sets a EUR 30,000 minimum.¹ Ask your insurer for a table of benefits that shows unlimited hospital cover before you book your appointment.

If you live in Abu Dhabi, you hand in a copy of the certificate

The Abu Dhabi checklist asks for a photocopy of the certificate, with at least 30,000 euro for emergency hospitalisation and emergency hospital treatment, repatriation for medical reasons and on death, valid throughout Schengen for the whole stay. It has no unlimited hospital line.⁵

Is your credit card cover accepted?

Neither Italian checklist mentions credit card cover.⁶⁵ Ask the post before you rely on a card benefit. The card cover guide sets out the positions of Germany, Spain and Switzerland.

You can buy from any authorised insurer in Abu Dhabi

BLS Abu Dhabi says the certificate can come from any authorised insurance company, or through its optional link.² The Dubai checklist does not say. Neither post states an approved insurer list.

How many people apply for Italian visas in the UAE

Italy received 27,398 Schengen visa applications in the UAE in 2025, fifth of the 27 states, up from 23,240 in 2024. Dubai took 19,422 and Abu Dhabi 7,976. The not issued rate was 21.7% in Dubai and 12.9% in Abu Dhabi. The figures cover applicants of every nationality and give no reasons, so they do not show why the two posts differ.⁸⁹

6 categories. Highest: Germany, 40,555 applications. Lowest: Switzerland, 25,603 applications.

Data and source

Source: European Commission, DG HOME, Visa statistics for consulates 2025. Accessed 4 Nov 2026.

State	Applications
Germany	40,555 applications
Netherlands	31,634 applications
Spain	30,265 applications
France	28,160 applications
Italy	27,398 applications
Switzerland	25,603 applications

The small print

• An older Dubai checklist. A checklist hosted by VFS with the filename apr-2022 has the same insurance item as the June 2026 checklist.¹⁰
• The Abu Dhabi checklist date. The checklist carries no date. Its upload path is 2025/03 and the file is dated 18 March 2025.⁵
• How the figures are counted. A line in the statistics names the post that processed the application, not where the applicant lives. The Netherlands also has an Abu Dhabi line, with 1 application in 2025. The not issued rate is not issued divided by visas issued, limited territorial validity visas and not issued combined, and includes examinations discontinued under Visa Code Article 8(2). The statistics give no nationality.¹¹