Schengen visa from Dubai and the UAE: which country refuses least (2025)
In 2025, Schengen consulates in the United Arab Emirates did not issue 24.2% of the 294,849 visa applications they decided, according to the European Commission's Visa statistics for consulates 2025 (downloaded on 15 October 2026). Among the 24 countries with at least 1,000 applications, Spain had the lowest rate (14.1%) and Bulgaria the highest (58.2%).
Schengen visas · applications made in the United Arab Emirates · 2025: 24.2% not issued (71,261 of 294,849 decisions)
Visa fee €90 (about AED 369.26); travel medical insurance of at least €30,000; the money to show depends on the country. Lowest rate: Spain (14.1%); highest: Bulgaria (58.2%).
Source: European Commission, Visa statistics for consulates 2025 (XLSX, downloaded on 15 October 2026); European Commission, Visa statistics for consulates 2024 (XLSX, downloaded on 15 October 2026). Short-stay (Schengen) visas, calendar year. All years on the Commission website.
Statistics, not advice. The rates are official figures for all applications made in a past year, whatever the applicant's nationality: they cannot predict the decision on your application, and a lower rate does not make a country easier for you. You must apply to the Schengen country of your main destination. Not legal or immigration advice. The consulate decides, and its official page lists the documents it wants.
Which Schengen country refuses least from Dubai?
Every Schengen country that decided applications made in the United Arab Emirates in 2025, from the lowest not-issued rate. Tap a column heading to sort. "Not issued" means refused or examination discontinued. Countries marked * had fewer than 1,000 applications and have no page of their own.
| Spain | 14.1% | 18.3% | 30,265 | 4,171 | 37.5% | Abu Dhabi |
| Romania | 14.5% | 15.9% | 1,095 | 158 | 59.0% | Dubai |
| Greece | 15.6% | 17.1% | 13,587 | 2,117 | 59.2% | Abu Dhabi |
| Austria | 16.4% | 25.1% | 7,406 | 1,116 | 79.5% | Abu Dhabi |
| France | 16.7% | 18.9% | 28,160 | 4,702 | 53.4% | Abu Dhabi |
| Finland | 18.0% | 25.4% | 1,603 | 287 | 41.9% | Abu Dhabi |
| Italy | 19.1% | 15.9% | 27,398 | 5,236 | 44.0% | Dubai and Abu Dhabi |
| Belgium | 19.8% | 18.0% | 7,460 | 1,462 | 59.8% | Abu Dhabi |
| Portugal | 20.3% | 15.9% | 2,582 | 527 | 58.4% | Abu Dhabi |
| Switzerland | 21.3% | 21.3% | 25,603 | 5,449 | 68.6% | Abu Dhabi |
| Germany | 22.0% | 27.0% | 40,555 | 8,883 | 85.2% | Dubai |
| Czech Republic | 24.0% | 26.4% | 8,961 | 2,150 | 26.6% | Abu Dhabi |
| Slovenia | 27.0% | 28.9% | 1,049 | 286 | 85.2% | Abu Dhabi |
| Netherlands | 30.5% | 20.8% | 31,634 | 9,482 | 49.8% | Dubai and Abu Dhabi |
| Norway | 30.5% | 27.6% | 16,232 | 4,958 | 58.9% | Abu Dhabi |
| Slovakia | 31.5% | 32.8% | 1,110 | 357 | 52.0% | Abu Dhabi |
| Denmark | 31.8% | 44.6% | 17,288 | 5,319 | 58.8% | Dubai |
| Poland | 32.5% | 16.2% | 3,123 | 1,027 | 29.6% | Abu Dhabi |
| Hungary | 35.2% | 33.5% | 10,424 | 3,636 | 32.6% | Abu Dhabi |
| Sweden | 40.7% | 41.2% | 6,312 | 2,532 | 13.9% | Abu Dhabi |
| Croatia | 42.6% | 45.8% | 2,092 | 848 | 80.1% | Dubai |
| Malta | 45.9% | 45.0% | 7,079 | 3,235 | 51.7% | Dubai and Abu Dhabi |
| Luxembourg | 48.5% | 28.5% | 1,037 | 489 | 53.9% | Abu Dhabi |
| Bulgaria | 58.2% | 35.9% | 4,494 | 2,473 | 33.6% | Dubai |
| Latvia | 10.9%* | 6.2% | 762 | 82 | 26.5% | Abu Dhabi |
| Estonia | 46.4%* | 65.7% | 468 | 217 | 56.6%* | Abu Dhabi |
| Lithuania | 21.9%* | 24.6% | 285 | 62 | 44.5%* | Abu Dhabi |
Source: European Commission, Visa statistics for consulates 2025 (XLSX, downloaded on 15 October 2026); European Commission, Visa statistics for consulates 2024 (XLSX, downloaded on 15 October 2026). Short-stay (Schengen) visas, calendar year. All years on the Commission website.
The multiple-entry share is multiple-entry visas ÷ uniform visas issued, as in the Commission's file (* fewer than 500 visas issued). The file does not say how long the visas were valid for. More on multiple-entry Schengen visas by country.
What a Schengen visa costs from Dubai
The fee is the same at every Schengen consulate: €90 for adults and €45 for children aged 6 to 12. An additional fee may apply if you go through a visa service centre, which collects applications on behalf of a consulate. The insurance and the money you must show are on top of the fee.
| What | Official amount | In dirhams |
|---|---|---|
| Visa fee, adults | €90 | AED 369.26 |
| Visa fee, children aged 6 to 12 | €45 | AED 184.63 |
| Travel medical insurance: minimum cover | €30,000 | AED 123,087.51 |
Source: European Commission, Applying for a Schengen visa (read on 31 October 2026); Visa Code, Regulation (EC) No 810/2009 (consolidated text) (read on 31 October 2026). Dirhams: €1 = US$1.1172 (European Central Bank reference rate of 30 October 2026) × AED 3.6725 per US dollar, the rate in the Central Bank of the UAE's daily tables on every day of August and September 2026 (€1 ≈ AED 4.1029). Our conversion; the consulate or its visa centre sets the amount you pay in dirhams.
Travel medical insurance: at least €30,000
The Visa Code asks for travel medical insurance covering repatriation for medical reasons, urgent medical care, emergency hospital treatment and death, valid in all Schengen countries and for the whole stay, with minimum cover of €30,000 (about AED 123,087.51). For a multiple-entry visa the policy must cover the first trip. Applicants should, in principle, take out the insurance in their country of residence (Article 15).
Source: Visa Code, Regulation (EC) No 810/2009 (consolidated text) (read on 31 October 2026).
Travel medical insurance
AffiliateThe consulate checks that your policy meets Article 15 of the Visa Code: at least €30,000 of cover, valid in all Schengen countries for the whole stay, including repatriation. SafetyWing's own FAQ says that many members have used its Nomad Insurance for visa applications, Schengen included, but that it cannot guarantee the policy will be accepted by every authority (SafetyWing FAQ, read on 31 October 2026). We have not checked it against any consulate's requirements: ask the consulate or its visa centre which policies and certificates it accepts before you buy any insurance.
See SafetyWing travel medical insurance (opens in a new tab)
SafetyWing sells travel medical insurance for travellers and nomads online. Some links are affiliate links: we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Buying insurance does not change the decision on your visa: the consulate decides.
Money to show, country by country
The consulate assesses your means of subsistence by the length and purpose of your stay, on the basis of the reference amounts each Schengen country has set (Visa Code, Article 21(5)); proof of sponsorship or private accommodation can also count. These are the amounts the countries notified to the European Commission, per person and per day unless the table says otherwise, converted at the rates below.
| Schengen country | What the country notified (as written) | In dirhams |
|---|---|---|
| Austria | “on a case-by-case basis” | case by case |
| Belgium | “EUR 45 - aliens staying with a private individual EUR 95 - aliens staying at a hotel” | €45 a day if you stay with a private person ≈ AED 184.63 €95 a day if you stay in a hotel ≈ AED 389.78 |
| Bulgaria | “EUR 50 EUR 500 - per stay” | €50 a day ≈ AED 205.15 €500 per stay ≈ AED 2,051.46 |
| Croatia | “EUR 70 EUR 30 – third-country national possessing a certified letter of guarantee by a natural or legal person from the Republic of Croatia, proof of a tourist booking or a similar document” | €70 a day ≈ AED 287.20 €30 a day with a certified letter of guarantee, a tourist booking or a similar document ≈ AED 123.09 |
| Czech Republic | “• For stays not exceeding 30 days – 1.565 CZK per day” | CZK 1,565 a day for stays of up to 30 days (longer stays: a fixed sum plus a monthly amount) ≈ AED 263.67 |
| Denmark | “DKK 350” | DKK 350 a day ≈ AED 192.15 |
| Finland | “on a case-by-case basis EUR 50 In addition to the funds, or tickets, required for the departure and accommodation during the stay” | case by case |
| France | “EUR 65 EUR 32.50 - persons holding proof of accommodation EUR 120 – persons holding no proof of accommodation” | €120 a day without proof of accommodation ≈ AED 492.35 €65 a day for the nights covered by a hotel booking ≈ AED 266.69 €32.50 a day with proof of accommodation ≈ AED 133.34 |
| Germany | “EUR 45” | €45 a day ≈ AED 184.63 |
| Greece | “EUR 50 EUR 25 – for minors EUR 300 - for a stay of up to 5 days” | €50 a day ≈ AED 205.15 €25 a day for minors ≈ AED 102.57 €300 for a stay of up to 5 days ≈ AED 1,230.88 |
| Hungary | “EUR 40” | €40 a day ≈ AED 164.12 |
| Italy | “EUR 269.60 1 to 5 days overall fixed sum” | €269.60 fixed sum for a stay of 1 to 5 days ≈ AED 1,106.15 |
| Luxembourg | “EUR 67” | €67 a day ≈ AED 274.90 |
| Malta | “EUR 48” | €48 a day ≈ AED 196.94 |
| Netherlands | “EUR 55” | €55 a day ≈ AED 225.66 |
| Norway | “on a case-by-case basis NOK 300/day (hosted/pre-paid accommodation); NOK 1,300/day (no proof of accommodation). If >1 traveller: ≥ NOK 1,000 per person/day.” | NOK 300 a day with hosted or pre-paid accommodation ≈ AED 119.36 NOK 1,300 a day without proof of accommodation ≈ AED 517.24 NOK 1,000 at least, per person a day, if more than one traveller ≈ AED 397.88 |
| Poland | “PLN 300 for stay not exceeding 4 days PLN 75 per day by stay exceeding 4 days” | PLN 300 for a stay of up to 4 days ≈ AED 279.50 PLN 75 a day for stays of more than 4 days ≈ AED 69.88 |
| Portugal | “EUR 75 - for each entry EUR 40 - for each day spent on the territory” | €75 for each entry ≈ AED 307.72 €40 for each day in Portugal ≈ AED 164.12 |
| Romania | “EUR 50, but no less then € 500 for the entire period, or equivalent” | €50 a day ≈ AED 205.15 €500 at least, for the whole stay ≈ AED 2,051.46 |
| Slovakia | “EUR 56” | €56 a day ≈ AED 229.76 |
| Slovenia | “EUR 70 EUR 35 - for minors accompanied by their parents” | €70 a day ≈ AED 287.20 €35 a day for minors travelling with their parents ≈ AED 143.60 |
| Spain | “10% of the gross national minimum wage (EUR 122.10); 90% of the gross national minimum wage (EUR 1 098.90) - minimum amount at the disposal” | €122.10 a day (10% of the gross minimum wage) ≈ AED 500.97 €1,098.90 at least, in total (90% of the gross minimum wage) ≈ AED 4,508.70 |
| Sweden | “SEK 700” | SEK 700 a day ≈ AED 261.62 |
| Switzerland | “CHF 100 CHF 30 - students” | CHF 100 a day ≈ AED 446.26 CHF 30 a day for students ≈ AED 133.88 |
Source: European Commission, reference amounts fixed by national authorities (table of 8 June 2026) (read on 31 October 2026); Visa Code, Regulation (EC) No 810/2009 (consolidated text) (read on 31 October 2026). Dirhams: €1 = US$1.1172 (European Central Bank reference rate of 30 October 2026) × AED 3.6725 per US dollar, the rate in the Central Bank of the UAE's daily tables on every day of August and September 2026 (€1 ≈ AED 4.1029). Our conversion; the consulate or its visa centre sets the amount you pay in dirhams.
Who can apply in the United Arab Emirates, and where
- You apply where you legally live. "You must apply for a Schengen visa at the consulate with territorial responsibility for the country where you are legally resident" (European Commission). A consulate may accept an application from someone legally present but not resident, if there is a reason to apply there (Visa Code, Article 6).
- You apply to your main destination: the Schengen country where you will spend the most time or, for stays of equal length, the first one you visit.
- Processing time: normally 15 days, up to 45 days in some cases.
- Visa centres. Many consulates take applications through a private visa centre. Where we read it on the embassy's own page:
- Netherlands (VFS Global): The Dutch government's page says to apply at the VFS Global application centre in Abu Dhabi or Dubai (official page, read on 31 October 2026).
- Germany (VFS Global): The German Consulate General in Dubai works only with VFS Global: applications by appointment at the VFS Global centres in Abu Dhabi or Dubai (official page, read on 31 October 2026).
- Italy (BLS International (Abu Dhabi), VFS Global (Dubai)): The Italian embassy in Abu Dhabi takes applications from holders of an Abu Dhabi residence visa through BLS International; residents of Dubai and the Northern Emirates go to the Consulate General in Dubai, which works through VFS Global (official page, read on 31 October 2026).
Source: European Commission, Applying for a Schengen visa (read on 31 October 2026); Visa Code, Regulation (EC) No 810/2009 (consolidated text) (read on 31 October 2026).
Questions people ask
Which is the easiest Schengen visa from Dubai?
No country is easy for everyone, but in 2025 the Schengen country with the lowest not-issued rate in the United Arab Emirates (among those with at least 1,000 applications) was Spain (14.1%), and the highest was Bulgaria (58.2%). You cannot pick a country for its rate: you apply to your main destination.
How much does a Schengen visa cost from Dubai?
The visa fee is €90 for adults (about AED 369.26) and €45 for children aged 6 to 12 (about AED 184.63), according to the European Commission. If you go through a visa centre, its service fee comes on top.
Can I apply for a Schengen visa from Dubai with an Indian or Pakistani passport?
Yes, if you legally live in the United Arab Emirates: the Visa Code says the consulate responsible for the place where you legally reside examines your application. The figures on this page count every application made in the United Arab Emirates, whatever the passport: the Commission's file does not split them by nationality.
Can I apply from Dubai if I am only visiting or studying there?
The rule is the place where you legally reside. A consulate may also accept an application from someone legally present but not resident in its area, if the applicant gives a reason for applying there (Visa Code, Article 6(2)). Ask the consulate before you book.
How much travel insurance do I need for a Schengen visa?
At least €30,000 (about AED 123,087.51), valid in all Schengen countries for the whole stay, covering emergency medical care, hospital treatment and repatriation (Visa Code, Article 15). You should, in principle, buy it in the country where you live.
How long does a Schengen visa take?
The normal processing time is 15 days, and it can be extended up to 45 days when the consulate needs to look at the application in more detail (European Commission). Visa centres and consulates also have their own waiting times for appointments.
How much money do I need to show for a France visa?
France has notified the Commission of €120 a day without proof of accommodation ≈ AED 492.35; €65 a day for the nights covered by a hotel booking ≈ AED 266.69; €32.50 a day with proof of accommodation ≈ AED 133.34. Each Schengen country sets its own reference amount: see the table on this page.
Each Schengen country from Dubai
Schengen visa refusal rates in the UAE, consulate by consulate · Easiest Schengen visa from the United Arab Emirates: full ranking · Schengen visa from the UK · Visa refusal rates by country
Sources
- European Commission, Visa statistics for consulates 2025 and 2024 (XLSX, downloaded on 15 October 2026); reuse under CC BY 4.0. "Not issued" = visas refused + applications whose examination was discontinued; not-issued rate = not issued ÷ (uniform visas issued + visas with limited territorial validity + not issued).
- European Commission, Applying for a Schengen visa (fee, processing time, where to apply), read on 31 October 2026.
- Visa Code, Regulation (EC) No 810/2009, consolidated text of 2 February 2020, Articles 6, 15 and 21, read on 31 October 2026.
- European Commission, reference amounts required for the crossing of the external border (PDF of 8 June 2026), read on 31 October 2026.
- Exchange rates: European Central Bank reference rates of 30 October 2026; Central Bank of the UAE, August 2026 and September 2026 tables (AED 3.6725 per US dollar on all 43 days).