Emiratis given green light to visa free Schengen travel

Emiratis travelling to any of the Shengen countries will be able to do so visa free following an agreement reached with the European Union.

Under the deal UAE citizens can travel to the 34 Schengen countries for up to 90 days without a visa – although the visa waiver does not include the UK or Ireland, neither of which are part of the Schengen deal.

The change in the rules mean that Emiratis need only take there passport to enter those countries signed up to the deal.

The countries signed up to the Schengen agreement, include: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Sweden, Malta, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Luxembourg and The Netherlands.

“I am very pleased that visa-free travel to the EU has become a reality for citizens of the United Arab Emirates who travel to the Schengen zone for short stays as well as for all EU citizens travelling to the UAE,” said Dimitris Avramopoulos, commissioner for migration and home affairs to UAE daily The National.

“This will strengthen contacts and mutual understanding between our peoples and give a boost to the European tourism industry and the economy as a whole.”

Under the new deal outstanding visa requirements imposed on some EU citizens travelling to the UAE were also lifted.

People traveling to Schengen countries are limited to a continuous stay of no more than 90 days - they cannot return to the same country within a 90 day period.