UAE residents planning trips to Europe now have the option to submit some necessary documents and information in advance through the free Travel to Europe app. The service is designed to speed up border control and is already available in select European countries.

However, the app does not cancel visa requirements and does not guarantee entry into the European Union.

What is Travel to Europe

Travel to Europe is the official mobile application of the European Union, created by the European Border and Coast Guard Agency Frontex.

With its help, travelers can provide information required for border control in advance. Depending on the country of entry, the service allows transmitting passport data, a facial image, and answers to questions about the trip.

The application works in conjunction with the European Entry/Exit System (EES), which records border crossings by certain categories of non-EU citizens.

The main feature of the service is the ability to send data even before arriving at a European airport. This can reduce the time spent on certain procedures at the border.

In which countries does the application already work

As of November 2026, Travel to Europe is available for travelers arriving through participating border control points in Sweden and Portugal.

In Sweden, users can send passport data, a facial photo, and a completed questionnaire about their upcoming visit in advance.

In Portugal, the functionality is currently limited to pre-filling the entry questionnaire.

In the future, the service may appear in other European countries. However, the timeline for program expansion has not yet been announced.

Travelers heading to France, Germany, Italy, or Switzerland are advised to check the app's availability at their specific arrival airport in advance.

Who can use Travel to Europe

The service is intended for citizens of countries outside the European Union who are subject to registration in the EES system and travel with a biometric passport.

Among potential users are UAE residents traveling to European countries for short-term visits.

The possibility of using the application depends on citizenship, passport type, and current entry rules.

Possession of a UAE resident visa does not imply an automatic right to visa-free travel to Schengen Area countries.

How to register before your trip

To use the service, you need to download the official Travel to Europe app from the App Store or Google Play.

After installation, the user creates a trip, selects the destination country, border crossing point, and indicates the estimated time of arrival.

Depending on the country's requirements, the app may request a scan of a biometric passport, a facial photo, and answers to questions about the purpose of the trip.

If necessary, accompanying passengers can be added.

Information can be sent no earlier than 72 hours before crossing the border.

After confirming the data submission, the traveler must follow the instructions of border control officers upon arrival.

Using the application is voluntary. Passengers who have not used the service can go through the standard document verification procedure.

Does the app replace a Schengen visa

Travel to Europe is not an electronic visa and does not replace the authorization documents required to visit European countries.

If a traveler requires a Schengen visa, it must be obtained before the trip.

Pre-registration also does not guarantee entry permission. The final decision is made by border control officers after verifying documents and compliance with established requirements.

Why is the European Union implementing a new system

Travel to Europe was developed as part of the digitalization of European border control.

The application complements the Entry/Exit System, which registers the entry and exit of relevant categories of travelers electronically instead of using traditional passport stamps.

Pre-submission of information reduces the amount of data that needs to be entered directly at the border crossing.

For UAE residents who regularly travel to Europe, the new service can become a convenient tool for trip preparation.

However, before departure, it is necessary to ensure that the chosen arrival point supports the application and that all visa and passport requirements are met.

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