Summer 2026 travel crisis: UAE residents rushing for Schengen visas

As summer 2026 approaches, UAE travellers will no longer have to wait until spring to travel to Europe.

Travellers will no longer have to wait until spring to travel to Europe, the UK, or other popular destinations. Enquiries and bookings for July and August departures have surged unusually early in January.

according to travel agents in Dubai, as residents raced to secure Schengen visas, flights, and hotel deals well ahead of the usual planning deadlines.

The change reflects widespread visa barriers, rising travel costs and appointment delays that are reshaping the way people plan holidays in the emirate.

forcing many to act months earlier than they did in previous years.

That’s why the summer travel season in 2026 looks dramatically different than in previous years.

Visas cause delays in early summer plans in the UAE.

One of the main factors motivating residents to book summer trips in January, six months before peak travel,

is the visa appointment backlog at European consulates and UK visa centres. Travel advisors say appointment times for Schengen visas in the UAE have increased to 45-60 days.

almost double the wait seen in early 2025. Such long queues mean that those hoping for a July trip are at risk of missing the peak window if they wait until spring to start applying, which is the opposite of normal planning cycles.

This barrier is increasing competition for consulate slots and forcing families, especially those with school-age children, to submit paperwork much earlier than usual. According to reports,

The increase in early bookings is particularly noticeable among families and frequent travellers who previously faced visa rejections or increased travel costs during the late visa season rush—experiences that are fresh in the memories of travellers in recent summers.

Rising travel costs increase pressure

Visa delays are not the only concern; the cost of travel is also increasing. The longer departure times coincide with higher airfares and fluctuating hotel prices.

prompting many travelers to secure deals before prices rise further as summer demand increases.

Analysts and tourism insiders report that flight prices could rise rapidly due to reduced availability, providing further incentive to plan early.

Are you already making plans for the summer of 2026? UAE travelers left early amid Schengen visa chaos

Apart from flights and accommodation, visa fees in Europe have also increased. The short-term Schengen visa fee was increased from €80 to €90 (about Dh339).

Additional service and appointment fees at visa centres can significantly increase the total travel cost.

While these visa fee changes alone may not overwhelm holiday budgets, they contribute to the overall cost pressures facing travellers. When prices are more stable, the appeal of locking in travel essentials early increases.

Changes in booking behavior in UAE: early, flexible and strategic

Travel advisories are advising UAE residents to start their visa documentation and booking process for July holidays six months before travel, i.e.

in January, to minimise delays and avoid last-minute complications. Since Schengen visa rules allow applicants to submit applications up to six months in advance of their travel date, this advice is in line with embassy guidelines.

This approach gives travellers more time to gather the necessary documents and correct any mistakes before the crucial deadline. Additionally, some UAE travelers are diversifying their options by considering the UK or other visa routes.

where processing times and priorities are different, although they are also subject to their set of fees and queuing systems.

Reddit travel discussions show that, although UK visas can sometimes be processed more quickly, even within a few days for priority services, they often come with a significantly higher cost than standard Schengen applications.

How are UAE residents adjusting to the plans?

This new travel environment is driving holidaymakers in the UAE to adopt a more flexible, strategic approach –

Visa Innovation and the Future of Travel

While the focus this summer is on navigating the current visa systems, changes on the horizon may alter travel plans in the future.

A GCC integrated tourist visa, which will allow residents to travel freely to all six Gulf Cooperation Council countries with a permit, is scheduled to launch in or after late 2026.

Such a visa could simplify regional travel and reduce reliance on multiple individual applications to neighbouring countries.

Flights, hotels, visas: Why summer 2026 is getting expensive for UAE travelers

Meanwhile, Europe is expanding biometric requirements and digitalizing some entry systems, such as the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS).

This system will require pre-travel authorisation (and fees) for visa-free travellers once it is fully operational, which is currently expected to happen in late 2026. These developments indicate that the current visa and travel challenges, stemming from pandemic-era backlogs and post-COVID travel growth, are only temporary.

Long-term changes to border systems and visa policy are on the horizon – with mixed implications for cost, convenience and planning timelines. The trend towards early holiday planning underlines how external administrative and cost pressures are now deeply influencing travel behaviour.

Long visa waits require early planning. Travellers can now no longer leave Schengen visa applications until spring without risking missing summer dates. The rising costs make early booking economically beneficial.

Securing flights and hotels in the first quarter can help mitigate cost increases later. Visa and travel complexity shape destination choice. Some travellers are diversifying their summer plans toward less bureaucratically complex destinations.

For UAE residents planning their summer holidays in 2026, starting early, being flexible and understanding visa basics are becoming essential travel habits, not optional luxuries.