Italy visa for Emirati citizens

In 2025, Italy’s embassy and consulates in the United Arab Emirates (Dubai City and Abu Dhabi Island and Internal Islands City) received 27,398 applications for short-stay Schengen visas and issued 22,162. The refusal rate was 19.1%. The refusal rate rose by 3.2 points from 15.9% in 2024. Applications rose by 18% compared with 2024 (23,240).

For comparison, all Schengen states together refused 24.2% of the applications lodged in the United Arab Emirates that year, from 10.9% at the consulates of Latvia to 58.2% at those of Bulgaria. Italy’s consulates worldwide refused 10.8%. Italy was the 5th most applied-for Schengen state in the United Arab Emirates.

You apply to the Schengen state that is your main destination (the longest stay or the main purpose; the state of first entry only when there is none), so a lower rate elsewhere is no reason to apply there. The figures cover applications lodged in the United Arab Emirates, by any nationality: mostly citizens, but also residents from other countries.

Emirati citizens planning a trip to Italy can compare how foreign ministries rate it: the US State Department rates Italy at Level 2, exercise increased caution (updated 9 September 2026), the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office does not advise against travel to Italy (updated 3 November 2026) and the German Foreign Office has no travel warning for Italy (updated 23 October 2026). The advice is aimed at each government’s own nationals.

How long Emirati citizens can stay in Italy

Emirati citizens may stay in Italy for up to 90 days. Days in Italy count towards the Schengen limit of 90 days in any 180-day period across all member states.

Italy and the Schengen area

Visa-free stays of Emirati citizens in Italy count towards the Schengen limit of 90 days in any 180-day period, shared with every other member state.

Italy’s neighbours for Emirati citizens

Switzerland, the Holy See, Slovenia, San Marino, France and Austria admit Emirati citizens visa-free.

Italian citizens travelling to the United Arab Emirates

Italian citizens do not need a visa for the United Arab Emirates: stays of up to 90 days are visa-free. The rule is the same in both directions between the United Arab Emirates and Italy.