Planning that dreamy Euro trip from Dubai? The Schengen visa is your golden ticket – one stamp, 29 countries unlocked. Whether it’s Parisian croissants, Swiss mountains, or Italian gelato, this visa is basically your all-access pass to Europe. Now, here’s where most people get tripped up: while the base visa fee is fixed at €90 (about AED 380) no matter which country you apply through, the service fees aren’t equal. Some embassies are super budget-friendly, others sneak in charges that could buy you a nice dinner in Paris or even a gondola ride in Venice. So yes – choosing the right embassy can literally save you cash before you even set foot in Europe.
Also read: US Visa Applicants In UAE – Should You Make Your Social Media Profiles Public?
The Schengen Price Breakdown (Embassy by Embassy)
Based on embassy disclosures and public info, here’s how the most common Schengen states stack up for UAE residents.
Pro tip: These are approximate totals (visa + service fee). Exchange rates, providers, and add-ons can nudge the final bill up or down, so always double-check the official site.
Schengen Country #1: Italy – approx. AED 420
Visa fee AED 380 + tiny service fee around AED 40. Italy is basically saying, “Come eat pasta, we won’t rob you at the door.” Cheapest in the lot and perfect if you want your euros for gelato, not paperwork.
Schengen Country #2: Sweden – approx. AED 420
Same math as Italy: AED 380 + AED 40. Cool, calm, and affordable, like an IKEA sofa but with better scenery. And yes, ABBA included.
Schengen Country #3: Germany – approx. AED 530
AED 380 visa fee + AED 150 service. Reliable, efficient, and still decent value. You’ll pay a bit more than Italy, but at least the paperwork runs as smoothly as their trains.
Schengen Country #4: France – approx. AED 480–550
Visa fee AED 380 + service between AED 100–170. Everyone’s first choice, so queues are long, but the price isn’t too scary. Think of it as the “croissant tax.”
Schengen Country #5: Austria – approx. AED 480–550
Same band as France. Visa AED 380 + service around AED 100–170. A little Mozart, a lot of mountains, and not too harsh on the wallet.
Schengen Country #6: Netherlands – approx. AED 490
Visa AED 380 + AED 110 service. Solid middle-of-the-road option – sensible, neat, and with tulips on top.
Schengen Country #7: Belgium – approx. AED 490–540
Visa AED 380 + service AED 110–160. A tad pricier, but hey, you’re paying for chocolate, beer, and fries with mayonnaise. Worth it? Absolutely.
Schengen Country #8: Switzerland – approx. AED 510–550
Visa AED 380 + service AED 130–170. It’s Switzerland, everything here wears a Rolex. Expensive, yes, but those Alps will make you forget the dent in your bank account.
Schengen Country #9: Portugal – approx. AED 520–580
Visa AED 380 + service AED 140–200. Gorgeous beaches and dreamy pastéis de nata, but you’ll cough up the highest fees just to set foot in Lisbon. Ouch.
Also read: Schengen Visa Rejection? Here Are The 5 Common Mistakes Made by UAE Travellers
Tips before you hand over your hard-earned dirhams:
- Go with Italy, Germany, or Sweden if they fit your itinerary – cheapest and cheerful.
- Remember: you usually have to apply to the country you’re entering first (or staying the longest). So no, you can’t apply to Italy just to save money and then sneak straight to Paris.
- Don’t waste extra on SMS alerts or “premium lounges” unless you really want a biscuit while you wait.
- Book early. The cheap embassies get busy, fast.
- Keep an eye on exchange rates – they can nudge your total up or down.
That AED 200 difference between Italy and Portugal might not sound huge, but for a family of four, that’s almost AED 800 saved, aka your hotel night in Rome or a shopping spree in Milan.
So, before you lock in your embassy appointment, do the math. A little strategy in Dubai can make your Europe trip not just smoother, but a whole lot cheaper.
You may also like: UAE Residents, Your Schengen Visa Now Unlocks These 14 Non-Schengen Countries!
