No more Shenghen sticker? Get digital visa or flexi EU pass for future trips

Dubai: Planning a trip to Europe in 2026? Your Schengen visa may no longer come as a sticker in your passport. In fact, it may not be a “Schengen visa” at all.

As the EU accelerates plans to modernise its travel systems, two big changes are competing to redefine the way tourists enter Europe: a fully digital Schengen visa system and a proposed flexible pan-European travel permit — both of which aim to simplify how millions experience the continent.

So, which will come first? Let’s explore what each means, and what UAE travellers should be watching for.

The race to digitise the traditional visa is already under way — and France is in the lead. Earlier this year, France quietly issued 70,000 digital Schengen visas for visitors to the 2024 Paris Olympics and Paralympics. Instead of a sticker on their passport, travellers received a secure barcode-based visa.

That’s just a glimpse of what’s coming.

Across the EU, a central online visa platform is now being developed. By 2026, this platform is expected to allow visa applicants to:

For UAE travellers who often face challenges booking appointments or handling paper-based processes, this could be a game-changer.

However, first-time applicants and those with expired biometric data may still need one in-person visit. But once that’s done, renewals and repeat visits will be smoother.

By 2028, the EU aims to have a fully operational digital visa system across all member states.

Europe’s border systems are also getting smarter.

Two major initiatives — the Entry/Exit System (EES) and the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) — will launch over the next two years.

While these won’t change visa rules for most UAE residents, they add layers of digital checks and improve how long you can stay under the 90/180-day rule.

While digitalisation is happening now, some EU countries — led by Greece, Italy, and France — are exploring something more ambitious: a "European tourist visa" that could offer:

This would especially benefit tourists from growing markets like India, China, and the Gulf, who often plan multi-country itineraries.

Italy’s “Jubilee visa” for 2025 pilgrims and Greece’s active lobbying suggest momentum — but there’s no formal EU-wide proposal yet, just a discussion.

While supported by tourism ministries and travel industry groups, such a visa would require extensive legal and policy coordination across EU members, which could take years.

The Schengen digital shift will directly impact UAE travellers sooner than any flexible permit might. Here’s how:

But for those who dream of exploring Europe without worrying about Schengen vs. non-Schengen borders, the flexible tourist visa could eventually open new doors.

Bottom line for UAE travellers? Your next Schengen visa might live in your email inbox, not your passport. But if tourism powers like Italy, Greece, and France get their way, future trips to Europe might not require a Schengen visa at all.