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Schengen visa applications in the UAE

Consulates in the UAE took 298,064 Schengen visa applications in 2025, up 14.5% on 2024. Germany took the most, 40,555, followed by the Netherlands and Spain. 71,261 applications, 24.2% of decisions, did not end in a visa, against 14.6% worldwide.

Updated 3 min read

Which Schengen countries take the most applications in the UAE?

Germany, with 40,555 of 298,064 applications in 2025. The Netherlands took 31,634, Spain 30,265, France 28,160, Italy 27,398 and Switzerland 25,603. Together these six took 61.6%.1

Fig. 1.Germany took the most Schengen visa applications in the UAE in 2025, 40,555 of 298,064

Uniform visa applications at consulates in the UAE by country, 2025. Applicants of any nationality.

Germany40,555 applicationsGermany: 40,555 applicationsNetherlands31,634 applicationsNetherlands: 31,634 applicationsSpain30,265 applicationsSpain: 30,265 applicationsFrance28,160 applicationsFrance: 28,160 applicationsItaly27,398 applicationsItaly: 27,398 applicationsSwitzerland25,603 applicationsSwitzerland: 25,603 applicationsDenmark17,288 applicationsDenmark: 17,288 applicationsNorway16,232 applicationsNorway: 16,232 applicationsGreece13,587 applicationsGreece: 13,587 applicationsHungary10,424 applicationsHungary: 10,424 applicationsCzech Republic8,961 applicationsCzech Republic: 8,961 applicationsBelgium7,460 applicationsBelgium: 7,460 applicationsAustria7,406 applicationsAustria: 7,406 applicationsMalta7,079 applicationsMalta: 7,079 applicationsSweden6,312 applicationsSweden: 6,312 applicationsBulgaria4,494 applicationsBulgaria: 4,494 applicationsPoland3,123 applicationsPoland: 3,123 applicationsPortugal2,582 applicationsPortugal: 2,582 applicationsCroatia2,092 applicationsCroatia: 2,092 applicationsFinland1,603 applicationsFinland: 1,603 applicationsSlovakia1,110 applicationsSlovakia: 1,110 applicationsRomania1,095 applicationsRomania: 1,095 applicationsSlovenia1,049 applicationsSlovenia: 1,049 applicationsLuxembourg1,037 applicationsLuxembourg: 1,037 applicationsLatvia762 applicationsLatvia: 762 applicationsEstonia468 applicationsEstonia: 468 applicationsLithuania285 applicationsLithuania: 285 applicationsGermany40,555 applicationsGermany: 40,555 applicationsNetherlands31,634 applicationsNetherlands: 31,634 applicationsSpain30,265 applicationsSpain: 30,265 applicationsFrance28,160 applicationsFrance: 28,160 applicationsItaly27,398 applicationsItaly: 27,398 applicationsSwitzerland25,603 applicationsSwitzerland: 25,603 applicationsDenmark17,288 applicationsDenmark: 17,288 applicationsNorway16,232 applicationsNorway: 16,232 applicationsGreece13,587 applicationsGreece: 13,587 applicationsHungary10,424 applicationsHungary: 10,424 applicationsCzech Republic8,961 applicationsCzech Republic: 8,961 applicationsBelgium7,460 applicationsBelgium: 7,460 applicationsAustria7,406 applicationsAustria: 7,406 applicationsMalta7,079 applicationsMalta: 7,079 applicationsSweden6,312 applicationsSweden: 6,312 applicationsBulgaria4,494 applicationsBulgaria: 4,494 applicationsPoland3,123 applicationsPoland: 3,123 applicationsPortugal2,582 applicationsPortugal: 2,582 applicationsCroatia2,092 applicationsCroatia: 2,092 applicationsFinland1,603 applicationsFinland: 1,603 applicationsSlovakia1,110 applicationsSlovakia: 1,110 applicationsRomania1,095 applicationsRomania: 1,095 applicationsSlovenia1,049 applicationsSlovenia: 1,049 applicationsLuxembourg1,037 applicationsLuxembourg: 1,037 applicationsLatvia762 applicationsLatvia: 762 applicationsEstonia468 applicationsEstonia: 468 applicationsLithuania285 applicationsLithuania: 285 applicationsGermany40,555 applicationsGermany: 40,555 applicationsNetherlands31,634 applicationsNetherlands: 31,634 applicationsSpain30,265 applicationsSpain: 30,265 applicationsFrance28,160 applicationsFrance: 28,160 applicationsItaly27,398 applicationsItaly: 27,398 applicationsSwitzerland25,603 applicationsSwitzerland: 25,603 applicationsDenmark17,288 applicationsDenmark: 17,288 applicationsNorway16,232 applicationsNorway: 16,232 applicationsGreece13,587 applicationsGreece: 13,587 applicationsHungary10,424 applicationsHungary: 10,424 applicationsCzech Republic8,961 applicationsCzech Republic: 8,961 applicationsBelgium7,460 applicationsBelgium: 7,460 applicationsAustria7,406 applicationsAustria: 7,406 applicationsMalta7,079 applicationsMalta: 7,079 applicationsSweden6,312 applicationsSweden: 6,312 applicationsBulgaria4,494 applicationsBulgaria: 4,494 applicationsPoland3,123 applicationsPoland: 3,123 applicationsPortugal2,582 applicationsPortugal: 2,582 applicationsCroatia2,092 applicationsCroatia: 2,092 applicationsFinland1,603 applicationsFinland: 1,603 applicationsSlovakia1,110 applicationsSlovakia: 1,110 applicationsRomania1,095 applicationsRomania: 1,095 applicationsSlovenia1,049 applicationsSlovenia: 1,049 applicationsLuxembourg1,037 applicationsLuxembourg: 1,037 applicationsLatvia762 applicationsLatvia: 762 applicationsEstonia468 applicationsEstonia: 468 applicationsLithuania285 applicationsLithuania: 285 applications

27 categories. Highest: Germany, 40,555 applications. Lowest: Lithuania, 285 applications.

Source

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

Applicants can hold any passport, and the figures do not record nationality. UAE nationals do not need a visa for short stays,2 so most applicants are likely to be residents of other nationalities.

The UAE ranked 9th of all countries by Schengen applications made there in 2025, up from 10th in 2024, with 2.4% of the 12,201,026 applications made worldwide.1

How did applications change from 2024?

They rose 14.5%, from 260,229 to 298,064. Visas issued rose from 196,109 to 221,370, of which 122,822 in 2025 were multiple-entry visas.13

Applications to the six busiest countries, 2024 and 2025
Country20242025Change
Germany32,95640,555+23.1%
Netherlands29,47331,634+7.3%
Spain24,79930,265+22.0%
France28,77828,160-2.1%
Italy23,24027,398+17.9%
Switzerland27,14825,603-5.7%

Fig. 2.The same six countries led in 2024, with Spain and Italy lower down

Uniform visa applications at consulates in the UAE, 2024.

Germany32,956 applicationsGermany: 32,956 applicationsNetherlands29,473 applicationsNetherlands: 29,473 applicationsFrance28,778 applicationsFrance: 28,778 applicationsSwitzerland27,148 applicationsSwitzerland: 27,148 applicationsSpain24,799 applicationsSpain: 24,799 applicationsItaly23,240 applicationsItaly: 23,240 applicationsGermany32,956 applicationsGermany: 32,956 applicationsNetherlands29,473 applicationsNetherlands: 29,473 applicationsFrance28,778 applicationsFrance: 28,778 applicationsSwitzerland27,148 applicationsSwitzerland: 27,148 applicationsSpain24,799 applicationsSpain: 24,799 applicationsItaly23,240 applicationsItaly: 23,240 applicationsGermany32,956 applicationsGermany: 32,956 applicationsNetherlands29,473 applicationsNetherlands: 29,473 applicationsFrance28,778 applicationsFrance: 28,778 applicationsSwitzerland27,148 applicationsSwitzerland: 27,148 applicationsSpain24,799 applicationsSpain: 24,799 applicationsItaly23,240 applicationsItaly: 23,240 applications

6 categories. Highest: Germany, 32,956 applications. Lowest: Italy, 23,240 applications.

Source

Source: European Commission, DG HOME, Visa statistics for consulates 2024. Accessed 4 Nov 2026.

Among countries with 1,000 or more applications, Malta rose most, from 1,464 to 7,079. Its Dubai post processed 6,915 applications in 2025 and has no figure for 2024.1

How many applications do not end in a visa?

71,261 in 2025, or 24.2% of decisions, up from 61,738 and 23.8% in 2024. The worldwide rate in 2025 was 14.6%.13

Fig. 3.Of the six busiest countries, the Netherlands did not issue 30.5% and Spain 14.1%

Share of 2025 decisions that did not end in a visa. Includes refusals and applications that were not examined to the end.

Netherlands30.5%Netherlands: 30.5%Germany22%Germany: 22%Switzerland21.3%Switzerland: 21.3%Italy19.1%Italy: 19.1%France16.7%France: 16.7%Spain14.1%Spain: 14.1%Netherlands30.5%Netherlands: 30.5%Germany22%Germany: 22%Switzerland21.3%Switzerland: 21.3%Italy19.1%Italy: 19.1%France16.7%France: 16.7%Spain14.1%Spain: 14.1%Netherlands30.5%Netherlands: 30.5%Germany22%Germany: 22%Switzerland21.3%Switzerland: 21.3%Italy19.1%Italy: 19.1%France16.7%France: 16.7%Spain14.1%Spain: 14.1%

6 categories. Highest: Netherlands, 30.5%. Lowest: Spain, 14.1%.

Source

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

Of the six busiest countries, the Netherlands had the highest rate, 30.5%, and Spain the lowest, 14.1%. Among countries with 1,000 or more applications, Bulgaria’s was highest at 58.2%, 2,473 of 4,251 decisions.1

“Not issued” covers refusals and applications whose examination was stopped. The figures give no reasons.4

Where is your application decided?

At the consulate that processes it, which is not always in the city where you apply. Germany decides all UAE applications in Dubai, while you lodge yours at VFS in Abu Dhabi or Dubai.5 France decides all UAE applications in Abu Dhabi.6

Fig. 4.Consulates in Abu Dhabi processed 174,570 applications and Dubai 123,494 in 2025

By the post that decided the file, not where applicants live or applied.

  • Abu Dhabi
  • Dubai
59%Abu Dhabi: 174,570 applications (59%)41%Dubai: 123,494 applications (41%)59%Abu Dhabi: 174,570 applications (59%)41%Dubai: 123,494 applications (41%)59%Abu Dhabi: 174,570 applications (59%)41%Dubai: 123,494 applications (41%)

Abu Dhabi 174,570 applications (59%), Dubai 123,494 applications (41%). Total 298,064 applications.

Source

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

Consulates in Abu Dhabi processed 174,570 applications in 2025 and those in Dubai 123,494.1

What insurance does each consulate ask for?

Article 15 of the Visa Code sets a minimum of EUR 30,000 of travel medical insurance.7 Several consulates in the UAE add their own terms. Germany, Spain and Switzerland do not accept credit card cover, and Switzerland wants a policy issued in the UAE or Bahrain.

2025 applications and terms beyond the EUR 30,000 minimum, by country, as of 4 November 2026
CountryApplied 2025Terms beyond Art 15Source date
Germany40,555Card cover not accepted. Multiple-entry declaration asks for an insurer office in a Schengen state, Switzerland or LiechtensteinUndated. VFS copy 30 March 2022
Netherlands31,634Named proof, for example policy schedule. Another country if no insurer in country of residenceUndated
Spain30,265Card cover not accepted (checklist). Insurance policy or table of benefitsChecklist file dated 30 Jun 2026
France28,160UAE pages give no insurance termsFrance-Visas page undated
Italy27,398Dubai adds full and unlimited hospital cover. Abu Dhabi has no such lineDubai footer v. June 2026. Abu Dhabi file dated 18 Mar 2025
Switzerland25,603Policy must be issued in the UAE or Bahrain. Card cover not acceptedListed 2026-04-14
Denmark17,288Art 15 restated. Adds a travel insurance declarationUndated
Norway16,232Art 15 restated in one line. Repatriation not statedUndated
Greece13,587Art 15 restated. VFS says insurance card copies are not accepted, meaning unclearUndated
Austria7,406Short line. Repatriation not statedUndated. File title Okt.2025

Each consulate’s page is linked in the Schengen visa insurance guide. If you hold travel cover through a credit card, read whether consulates accept card cover before you apply.

The small print

  • The latest figures are for 2025, on a European Commission page dated 28 May 2026. Figures for 2026 would normally follow in 2027, on no fixed date.8
  • Stopped examinations are those discontinued under Article 8(2) of the Visa Code. There is no separate refusal count.4 The not issued rate is not issued divided by issued, limited territorial validity and not issued visas.1
  • Limited territorial validity visas rose from 1,984 in 2024 to 2,218 in 2025.13
  • The figures do not show whether insurance played a part in any decision.
  • Cyprus in Abu Dhabi appears on a separate sheet for national visas, with 4,080 applied, 3,573 issued and 507 not issued. These are not in the totals. The Commission’s 2025 workbook covers 28 countries, including Bulgaria, Croatia and Romania, and 27 of them have a UAE row. Liechtenstein does not issue its own Schengen visas and is not listed.1
  • The 2024 figures for Bulgaria and Romania leave out their national short-stay visas until 31 March 2024, which are counted separately, with 531 and 412 applications in Dubai.3
  • Row figures do not always add up. Applications minus issued, limited territorial validity and not issued visas range from -37 for Poland to +671 for Spain, and the Commission gives no reason.1
  • The Commission’s news page gives the worldwide total as “nearly 12 million” and a 1.8% rise in its metadata, and “more than 12 million” and 4.3% in its body (28 May 2026). The workbook total is 12,201,026, which fits “more than 12 million”. Against 11,716,723 in the 2024 workbook it is a 4.1% rise.913
  • The Commission’s quality and metadata report was last updated on 7 May 2021 and says Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus and Romania are presented separately. The 2025 workbook places Bulgaria, Croatia and Romania in the main sheet.4

Data and sources

Schengen visa applications at consulates in the UAE by country, 2025

27 rows, 12 columns. European Commission visa statistics for consulates in the UAE. Schengen (uniform) visas only, airport transit visas left out. Issued includes multiple entry visas. The not issued rate is not issued divided by issued, limited territorial validity and not issued visas. The 2024 figures for Bulgaria and Romania leave out their national short-stay visas until 31 March 2024, so their change compares different things.

Show all 27 rows
Table 1.Schengen visa applications at consulates in the UAE by country, 2025
RankCountryDecided inAppliedIssuedMultiple entryLimited territorial validityNot issuedNot issued rate (%)Share of UAE applications (%)Applied 2024Change 2024 to 2025 (%)
1GermanyDubai40,55531,12426,5184288,8832213.632,95623.1
2NetherlandsAbu Dhabi, Dubai31,63421,35810,6262569,48230.510.629,4737.3
3SpainAbu Dhabi30,26524,8149,3056094,17114.110.224,79922
4FranceAbu Dhabi28,16023,36412,477414,70216.79.428,778-2.1
5ItalyAbu Dhabi, Dubai27,39822,1629,75905,23619.19.223,24017.9
6SwitzerlandAbu Dhabi25,60319,88113,6292735,44921.38.627,148-5.7
7DenmarkDubai17,28811,3746,688125,31931.85.812,84634.6
8NorwayAbu Dhabi16,23211,2746,63604,95830.55.412,00735.2
9GreeceAbu Dhabi13,58711,2856,6841422,11715.64.617,974-24.4
10HungaryAbu Dhabi10,4246,6912,18263,63635.23.59,7177.3
11Czech RepublicAbu Dhabi8,9616,7131,787982,1502439,015-0.6
12BelgiumAbu Dhabi7,4605,9173,54011,46219.82.56,58813.2
13AustriaAbu Dhabi7,4065,5684,4251291,11616.42.54,37869.2
14MaltaAbu Dhabi, Dubai7,0793,8091,97103,23545.92.41,464383.5
15SwedenAbu Dhabi6,3123,654507282,53240.72.14,69334.5
16BulgariaDubai4,4941,77859702,47358.21.52,224102.1
17PolandAbu Dhabi3,1232,094620391,02732.512,31135.1
18PortugalAbu Dhabi2,5822,0551,2011252720.30.92,29212.7
19CroatiaDubai2,0921,1299041484842.60.72,095-0.1
20FinlandAbu Dhabi1,6031,3045467287180.51,33520.1
21SlovakiaAbu Dhabi1,1107373833835731.50.491721
22RomaniaDubai1,095935552015814.50.461478.3
23SloveniaAbu Dhabi1,04969058883286270.41,271-17.5
24LuxembourgAbu Dhabi1,037518279148948.50.371944.2
25LatviaAbu Dhabi76267117808210.90.345169
26EstoniaAbu Dhabi468251142021746.40.2722-35.2
27LithuaniaAbu Dhabi2852209816221.90.120241.1

Schengen visa applications at consulates in the UAE by city where decided, 2025

30 rows, 7 columns. The city is where the application was decided, not where the applicant lives or applied.

Show all 30 rows
Table 2.Schengen visa applications at consulates in the UAE by city where decided, 2025
Decided inCountryAppliedIssuedLimited territorial validityNot issuedNot issued rate (%)
DubaiGermany40,55531,1244288,88322
DubaiNetherlands31,63321,3582569,48130.5
DubaiItaly19,42215,21504,20721.7
DubaiDenmark17,28811,374125,31931.8
DubaiMalta6,9153,65403,22846.9
DubaiBulgaria4,4941,77802,47358.2
DubaiCroatia2,0921,1291484842.6
DubaiRomania1,095935015814.5
Abu DhabiSpain30,26524,8146094,17114.1
Abu DhabiFrance28,16023,364414,70216.7
Abu DhabiSwitzerland25,60319,8812735,44921.3
Abu DhabiNorway16,23211,27404,95830.5
Abu DhabiGreece13,58711,2851422,11715.6
Abu DhabiHungary10,4246,69163,63635.2
Abu DhabiCzech Republic8,9616,713982,15024
Abu DhabiItaly7,9766,94701,02912.9
Abu DhabiBelgium7,4605,91711,46219.8
Abu DhabiAustria7,4065,5681291,11616.4
Abu DhabiSweden6,3123,654282,53240.7
Abu DhabiPoland3,1232,094391,02732.5
Abu DhabiPortugal2,5822,0551252720.3
Abu DhabiFinland1,6031,304728718
Abu DhabiSlovakia1,1107373835731.5
Abu DhabiSlovenia1,0496908328627
Abu DhabiLuxembourg1,037518148948.5
Abu DhabiLatvia76267108210.9
Abu DhabiEstonia468251021746.4
Abu DhabiLithuania28522016221.9
Abu DhabiMalta164155074.3
Abu DhabiNetherlands1001100

The six countries with the most applications, 2025

6 rows, 2 columns.

Table 3.The six countries with the most applications, 2025
CountryApplied 2025
Germany40,555
Netherlands31,634
Spain30,265
France28,160
Italy27,398
Switzerland25,603

The same six countries, applications in 2024

6 rows, 2 columns.

Table 4.The same six countries, applications in 2024
CountryApplied 2024
Germany32,956
Netherlands29,473
France28,778
Switzerland27,148
Spain24,799
Italy23,240

Share of applications not issued, six busiest countries, 2025

6 rows, 2 columns. Not issued divided by issued, limited territorial validity and not issued visas. Not issued includes refusals and applications whose examination was stopped under Visa Code Art 8(2). It does not measure how hard a visa is to get.

Table 5.Share of applications not issued, six busiest countries, 2025
CountryNot issued rate (%)
Netherlands30.5
Germany22
Switzerland21.3
Italy19.1
France16.7
Spain14.1

Applications by city where decided, 2025

2 rows, 2 columns.

Table 6.Applications by city where decided, 2025
Decided inApplied
Abu Dhabi174,570
Dubai123,494

Sources

1European Commission, DG HOME, Visa statistics for consulates 2025, Published 2026-05-28, period calendar 2025. Last checked 4 Nov 2026. Source document: Visa statistics for consulates 2025

2European Union (EUR-Lex), Regulation (EU) 2018/1806, consolidated text, Consolidated 2025-12-30. Last checked 4 Nov 2026. Source document: Regulation (EU) 2018/1806, consolidated text

3European Commission, DG HOME, Visa statistics for consulates 2024, Period calendar 2024. Last checked 4 Nov 2026. Source document: Visa statistics for consulates 2024

4European Commission, DG HOME, Visa statistics, quality and metadata report, Last update 2021-05-07. Last checked 4 Nov 2026. Source document: Visa statistics, quality and metadata report

5German Missions in the UAE (Federal Foreign Office), Schengen visa application procedure. Last checked 4 Nov 2026. Source document: Schengen visa application procedure

6France-Visas (French government), France-Visas, United Arab Emirates page. Last checked 4 Nov 2026. Source document: France-Visas, United Arab Emirates page

7European Union (EUR-Lex), Regulation (EC) No 810/2009, Visa Code, consolidated text, Consolidated 2024-06-11. Effective 11 Jun 2024. Last checked 4 Nov 2026. Source document: Regulation (EC) No 810/2009, Visa Code, consolidated text

8European Commission, DG HOME, Short-stay visas issued by Schengen countries, 2026-05-28. Last checked 4 Nov 2026. Source document: Short-stay visas issued by Schengen countries

9European Commission, DG HOME, Schengen short-stay visa applications news item, 2026-05-28. Last checked 4 Nov 2026. Source document: Schengen short-stay visa applications news item

Owner
Travelinsurance.ae research team
Last review
Next review due
11 May 2027
Status
Published

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