🇦🇪UAE

🏳SEAE-SE

Do UAE passport holders need a visa to visit SE?

Q: How long can I stay in Sweden without a visa?

Up to 90 days in any rolling 180-day period. This limit is shared across all Schengen countries combined, not per country.

Q: Do I need ETIAS to visit Sweden in 2026?

Not yet. ETIAS is expected to launch in Q4 2026 with a 6-month transitional period, so it is not required for travel on 30 May 2026. Once enforced (expected 2027), the authorization costs €20.

Q: Does the visa waiver apply to UAE residents who are not Emirati citizens?

No. The Schengen visa waiver applies only to holders of the UAE passport. Expatriate residents holding other nationalities must check their own passport and generally need a Schengen Type C visa via VFS Global in Abu Dhabi or Dubai.

Q: What documents should I carry even though no visa is needed?

Carry your valid UAE passport, a return or onward ticket, proof of accommodation, evidence of sufficient funds, and travel medical insurance. Border officers may ask to see these.

Q: How long must my passport be valid?

Your passport must be issued within the last 10 years and valid for at least 3 months beyond your planned departure from the Schengen Area.

No visa needed. UAE ordinary passport holders can visit Sweden visa-free for up to 90 days within any 180-day period across the Schengen Area. Sweden is part of the Schengen Area, and the United Arab Emirates has held a Schengen visa waiver since 7 May 2015 — the first Arab country to obtain one. As of 30 May 2026, Emirati nationals holding an ordinary passport may enter Sweden and all other Schengen states for tourism or short visits without a visa, for a maximum of 90 days within any rolling 180-day period. No visa, eVisa, or visa-on-arrival is required. The upcoming ETIAS travel authorization is scheduled to launch in Q4 2026 with a 6-month transitional period, so it is NOT yet required for travel on 30 May 2026. Once enforced (expected around 2027), Emirati travelers will need a €20 ETIAS authorization, but this is a pre-screening waiver, not a visa. Note: this visa waiver applies only to holders of the UAE passport itself — expatriate residents of the UAE who hold other nationalities must check their own passport's requirements and will generally need a Schengen Type C visa via VFS Global.

VISA-FREETOURISMMULTIPLE ENTRYLast verified 2026-05-30

For guidance only — visa rules change with little notice. Always confirm directly with the destination's embassy or foreign ministry before booking non-refundable travel. Information here applies to ordinary (non-diplomatic) passports unless noted.

UAE (Golden Visa)Living in UAE as a permanent resident? See PR-specific guidance→

/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-05-30

Visa type

Visa-free (Schengen short stay)

Maximum stay

Up to 90 days in any 180-day period

per entry

Entries

Multiple entries within the 90/180 allowance

from issue date

Visa fee

€0 (no visa fee)

consular fee only

Processing time

None — entry at border

standard track

Validity

Passport valid at least 3 months beyond intended departure

from issue date

/02 — The process

How to apply

/01

Confirm passport eligibility

You must hold a United Arab Emirates ordinary passport. The Schengen visa waiver applies to UAE nationals, not to expatriate UAE residents of other nationalities.

· UAE ordinary passport

/02

Check passport validity

Ensure your passport was issued within the last 10 years and remains valid for at least 3 months beyond your planned date of departure from the Schengen Area.

· 3 months validity· Issued within 10 years

/03

Track your 90/180 day allowance

Count days already spent in any Schengen country over the previous 180 days. The 90-day limit is shared across all Schengen states, not per country.

· 90/180 rule

/04

Prepare supporting documents

Although no visa is needed, carry proof of onward/return travel, accommodation, sufficient funds, and travel medical insurance — border officers may request these.

· Proof of funds· Return ticket

/05

Travel and clear Schengen border control

Present your passport at the first Schengen port of entry. Your entry and exit will be recorded (under the EES once operational).

· Border entry stamp / EES

/06

Apply for ETIAS only once it becomes mandatory

ETIAS is not required on 30 May 2026. Once enforced (expected from 2027 after the Q4 2026 launch and transitional period), apply online for the €20 authorization before travel.

· ETIAS €20· Not yet required

/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

8 items

Personalized checklist

0 / 8 complete

UAE ordinary passport, valid 3+ months beyond departure

required

Passport issued within the last 10 years

required

Confirmed return or onward ticket

recommended

Proof of accommodation (hotel booking or host invitation)

recommended

Proof of sufficient funds for the stay

recommended

Travel medical insurance (min. €30,000 coverage)

recommended

Stay within the 90-days-in-180 Schengen limit

required

ETIAS authorization (only once enforced, expected 2027)

optional

Track your progress · save & email a copy

/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate

Line itemAmountSource

Schengen tourist visa fee€0No visa required for UAE ordinary passport holders

ETIAS authorization€20Not yet required as of May 2026; applies once enforced (expected 2027). Free for under-18s and over-70s

Travel medical insuranceFrom ~€20Optional but recommended; not a government fee

Total estimate€0 — €0incl. all

/05 — The wait

Processing time

Visa-free entry at border

Immediate

No application or processing — present your UAE passport at Schengen border control on arrival.

/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency

/01

UAE Schengen visa waiver

The UAE has held a full Schengen short-stay visa waiver since 7 May 2015, covering all Schengen states including Sweden.

High

/02

Tourism and short visits

Leisure travel, sightseeing, and visiting friends/family are fully covered by the visa-free short-stay regime.

High

/03

Business meetings and conferences

Short business trips, meetings, and attending events are permitted visa-free within the 90/180 allowance.

Medium

/04

Schengen multi-country trips

Travelers combining Sweden with other Schengen countries on one trip benefit from the shared 90-day allowance.

Medium

/07 — On arrival

After you land

/01

Immigration

Keep your passport, visa or exemption proof, return ticket, and accommodation details ready for border inspection.

/02

Customs

Review the destination's customs rules before travel and declare restricted goods or large cash amounts when required.

/03

Connectivity

Check whether airport SIMs, eSIMs, or roaming are the best option for your route before arrival.

/08 — The history

Policy changelog

since 2024

2026-05-30

United Arab Emirates to Sweden route verified

Confirmed via Sweden Abroad, the EU ETIAS portal, and EU visa-list sources that UAE ordinary passport holders remain visa-free for Sweden (Schengen 90/180 rule, waiver since 2015). ETIAS is scheduled for Q4 2026 launch with a transitional period and is not yet required for travel on this date.

/09 — The questions

Frequently asked

Do UAE citizens need a visa for Sweden?—

No. Holders of a UAE ordinary passport can enter Sweden visa-free for up to 90 days within any 180-day period, as Sweden is part of the Schengen Area and the UAE has a Schengen visa waiver.

How long can I stay in Sweden without a visa?+

Do I need ETIAS to visit Sweden in 2026?+

Does the visa waiver apply to UAE residents who are not Emirati citizens?+

What documents should I carry even though no visa is needed?+

How long must my passport be valid?+

/11 — Passport tools