United Arab Emirates
Spain
Spain visa for Emirati citizens
Entry requirement
Emirati citizens can visit Spain without a visa for up to 90 days.
- Maximum stay
- 90 days
- Where to apply
- Nothing to apply for in advance
Checked 31 October 2026 · Passport Index · Confirm at exteriores.gob.es
For longer stays: study, work and residence
Spain: visa decisions in the United Arab Emirates
| Year | Applications | Visas issued | Refused | Refusal rate | Multiple-entry share |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 26,023 | 20,337 | 4,760 | 18.6% | 28.8% |
| 2024 | 24,799 | 19,420 | 4,482 | 18.3% | 32.4% |
| 2025 | 30,265 | 24,814 | 4,171 | 14.1% | 37.5% |
In 2025, Spain’s embassy and consulates in the United Arab Emirates (Abu Dhabi Island and Internal Islands City) received 30,265 applications for short-stay Schengen visas and issued 24,814. 14.1% of applications were refused. In 2024 it had been 18.3%: the rate fell by 4.2 points. Applications rose by 22% compared with 2024 (24,799).
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. Spain’s consulates worldwide refused 14.6%. Spain was the 3rd 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.
Source: European Commission, Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs, visa statistics for consulates 2023–2025 (© European Union, reused under CC BY 4.0). Short-stay (type C) visas. How these figures are made
Spanish citizens travelling to the United Arab Emirates
SpainUnited Arab Emirates Visa-free, 90 days United Arab Emirates visa for citizens of Spain
Travel advice for Spain
- US State Department Level 2: Exercise increased caution
- UK Foreign Office (FCDO) No advice against travel
- German Foreign Office No travel warning
What the US, British and German foreign ministries tell their own citizens about travelling there, in each ministry’s own terms.
Emirati citizens planning a trip to Spain can compare how foreign ministries rate it: the US State Department rates Spain at Level 2, exercise increased caution (updated 31 July 2026), the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office does not advise against travel to Spain (updated 28 October 2026) and the German Foreign Office has no travel warning for Spain (updated 2 November 2026).
Good to know
How long Emirati citizens can stay in Spain
Emirati citizens may stay in Spain for up to 90 days. Days in Spain count towards the Schengen limit of 90 days in any 180-day period across all member states.
Spain and the Schengen area
Visa-free stays of Emirati citizens in Spain count towards the Schengen limit of 90 days in any 180-day period, shared with every other member state.
Spain’s neighbours for Emirati citizens
Andorra, Portugal, France and Morocco admit Emirati citizens visa-free.
Spanish citizens travelling to the United Arab Emirates
The United Arab Emirates admits Spanish citizens without a visa for stays of up to 90 days. The rule is the same in both directions between the United Arab Emirates and Spain.
Frequently asked questions
Do Emirati citizens need a visa for Spain?
Emirati citizens can visit Spain without a visa for up to 90 days.
How long can Emirati citizens stay in Spain?
Emirati citizens can stay in Spain for up to 90 days, within the Schengen limit of 90 days in any 180.
Do Spanish citizens need a visa for the United Arab Emirates?
The United Arab Emirates admits Spanish citizens without a visa for stays of up to 90 days.
Can Emirati citizens enter Spain visa-free?
Yes, Emirati citizens can enter Spain without a visa and stay for up to 90 days.
Visa data: Passport Index via passport-index-data, as of 31 October 2026. Rules change, sometimes overnight. Confirm with the embassy or the official government portal before you book.