Germany, known for its rich cultural heritage, dynamic cities, and advanced tourism infrastructure, has long been a favorite travel destination for residents of the United Arab Emirates. In recent years, the allure of German landscapes, medical tourism, education, and commercial hubs like Berlin, Frankfurt, and Munich has sparked an upward trend in the number of Emiratis and expatriates living in the UAE visiting Germany. Recognizing this surge in demand and the consistent travel patterns of many UAE residents, Germany is now considering a significant visa policy shift that could further cement its position as a top travel destination for Gulf travelers.
The new proposal under discussion would grant five-year multiple-entry Schengen visas to UAE residents who have demonstrated a consistent travel history to Germany. This initiative seeks to ease travel logistics for frequent visitors while strengthening bilateral relations and tourism flows between Germany and the UAE. As the Middle East, particularly the GCC region, continues to emerge as a strategic market for global tourism, Germany’s approach represents a timely response to a rapidly growing demographic of high-value travelers.
Strategic Announcement at Arabian Travel Market 2025
The announcement was made during Germany’s 10th participation in the Arabian Travel Market (ATM), an influential event that showcases global tourism developments and fosters collaboration across the international travel industry. Yamina Soufou, Director of Marketing and Sales at the German National Tourist Office (GNTO) for the GCC region, revealed the proposal during her interaction with the media, specifically in an interview with Al Khaleej newspaper.
Soufou emphasized the growing demand from UAE residents seeking Schengen visas, particularly those who have demonstrated a pattern of regular travel to Germany. These travelers include both Emiratis and long-term expatriates residing in the UAE. According to her statement, the German authorities are looking to introduce a long-term visa program to address the needs of this group and facilitate smoother travel processes.
The five-year multiple-entry Schengen visa, which is already available to citizens of GCC countries under certain conditions, could soon be extended to UAE residents who have visited Germany multiple times. This would reduce the bureaucratic hurdles associated with frequent visa applications and encourage longer-term travel planning for both tourism and business.
UAE Residents’ Growing Travel Interest in Germany
The decision to consider five-year Schengen visas comes amid a sharp rise in the number of UAE residents traveling to Germany. The figures presented by Soufou underscore this trend. In the first quarter of 2025 alone, over 10,000 Schengen visas were issued to UAE residents, a strong indicator of sustained demand. This follows a broader uptick in 2024, during which more than 36,000 visas were granted to travelers from the UAE—an increase of 26 percent compared to 2023.
This growth is attributed to several factors, including Germany’s appeal as a hub for culture, education, healthcare, and commerce. Cities like Munich attract visitors for medical treatment and wellness tourism, while Berlin and Hamburg offer world-class art, museums, and history. The Black Forest region and scenic Bavarian towns have also become favorite summer destinations for UAE families seeking cooler climates and serene landscapes.
In addition to leisure tourism, Germany remains a vital economic partner for the UAE, with business travel making up a significant portion of outbound trips. Frequent travelers, especially those engaged in cross-border trade, education, or healthcare, stand to benefit the most from the proposed long-term visa.
GCC Visitor Rankings and Regional Trends
UAE tourists currently rank first among all GCC countries in terms of the number of visitors to Germany. They are followed by travelers from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Kuwait. This ranking reflects the UAE’s dynamic demographic mix, high-income levels, and an increasing appetite for international travel experiences, especially among young professionals, families, and retirees.
The announcement of potential visa policy changes could also serve as a benchmark for other European nations evaluating how best to attract affluent Middle Eastern tourists. Germany’s proactive approach in streamlining entry requirements reflects a broader trend of European destinations tailoring their offerings to suit the evolving needs of Gulf Cooperation Council nations.
Soufou highlighted that such a move would bring Germany’s visa policy in line with the regional efforts to ease mobility for frequent travelers. The German National Tourist Office’s participation in Arabian Travel Market 2025 also underscores the strategic importance of the Middle East in Germany’s tourism strategy.
Enhancing Convenience and Encouraging Repeat Travel
Germany’s proposal for the five-year Schengen visa aligns with its commitment to enhancing visitor convenience. The country’s consular services in the UAE have been working to improve the visa application experience, including streamlining document submission, reducing processing times, and increasing capacity to accommodate peak travel seasons.
A long-term visa would remove the need for travelers to reapply for each trip, saving both time and resources. It also facilitates impromptu travel plans for business meetings, conferences, or leisure without the administrative burden of securing a visa on each occasion. This would be especially beneficial for families planning annual vacations, business travelers attending multiple meetings throughout the year, and students or patients who require repeated visits.
The convenience afforded by such a visa could lead to increased stays, higher spending, and deeper engagement with Germany’s cultural and economic offerings. Repeat travelers tend to diversify their experiences, exploring new cities, regions, and thematic interests such as culinary tourism, nature escapes, or academic collaborations.
Strengthening UAE-Germany Bilateral Relations
This new visa development, while still in the proposal phase, is a reflection of the long-standing and multifaceted relationship between the UAE and Germany. The two nations enjoy strong ties not only in tourism but also in trade, education, and sustainable development. Germany is one of the UAE’s key trading partners in Europe, and both countries have collaborated on initiatives ranging from renewable energy to academic exchanges.
The proposed visa expansion adds a human dimension to these ties, enabling greater people-to-people exchange and mutual understanding. It reinforces Germany’s openness to UAE residents as valuable visitors, contributors to the economy, and cultural ambassadors. The move also supports the UAE’s broader global engagement strategy by promoting outbound tourism and fostering stronger ties with Europe.
Germany’s position as a Schengen country gives it added significance in visa decisions. A multiple-entry visa granted by Germany would allow access to 26 other European countries in the Schengen Area, enhancing travel flexibility and convenience for UAE residents.
German Tourism’s Strategic Outlook in the Gulf
Germany’s long-term vision for tourism in the GCC is guided by a keen understanding of market dynamics and traveler behavior. The country’s tourism boards have increasingly engaged with regional stakeholders, travel agencies, and airlines to promote Germany as a year-round destination. Campaigns focus on themes like family-friendly attractions, nature and wellness, cultural heritage, and shopping.
At events such as the Arabian Travel Market, Germany has consistently showcased its hospitality offerings to Gulf travelers, with attention to Halal services, Arabic-speaking guides, and luxury accommodations tailored to Middle Eastern preferences. The presence of regional offices and Arabic-language promotional materials reflects this customer-centric approach.
The introduction of a five-year visa would complement these marketing efforts by removing a major friction point—visa reapplication—and making repeat visits simpler and more appealing. It also positions Germany as a leader among European nations in welcoming Middle Eastern travelers.
Outlook and Industry Reactions
While the policy is still under review, the reaction from the travel industry and potential visitors has been overwhelmingly positive. Tour operators, airlines, and travel consultants in the UAE see this development as a much-needed boost to facilitate tourism planning and encourage travelers to include Germany in their short- and long-term itineraries.
The initiative also aligns with broader efforts by Schengen countries to harmonize visa policies and make Europe more accessible to key markets. As countries emerge from pandemic-related travel disruptions, such measures help reignite interest and rebuild travel confidence.
Travel analysts believe that granting longer-term visas to frequent travelers not only rewards loyal visitors but also allows tourism boards and businesses to build more meaningful and long-lasting relationships with their guests. In the case of Germany and the UAE, such relationships are already strong—and a five-year visa will only deepen them.
