UAE travelers planning their European escapades can now expect a double boon: significant drops in airfares to key EU destinations and notably shorter processing times for Schengen visas.
Residents of the UAE eyeing Europe as their next travel spot will experience a welcome relief as air ticket rates to major EU cities are witnessing a decline. Equally noteworthy is the considerable improvement in Schengen visa processing times, now clocking in at two weeks or less.
This marks a considerable shift from the preceding period between October and December, where visa appointment schedules extended to as long as one to two months.
For those in the UAE contemplating European vacations, the present moment presents an opportune time to initiate the visa application process.
This development follows a bustling winter travel season, witnessing a surge of UAE and GCC residents flocking to various European holiday getaways over Christmas and New Year.
Presently, European embassies in the UAE have commenced opening booking slots, with visa processing times averaging around two weeks.
Airfares to multiple cities across Europe have dipped below Dh3,000. Anticipated demand in April, during the Eid holidays, is expected to draw travelers to destinations like Spain, Switzerland, Italy, France, and Germany. Last year witnessed a surge in travel demand to Europe, surpassing 40-50 percent compared to 2019 levels.
