For a Schengen visa from the UAE you need a return flight reservation and accommodation for every night of your trip. The UAE checklists ask for a “flight ticket or reservation” (Sweden) or a “flight reservation including return ticket” (Portugal), so a confirmed booking is usually enough and you don’t have to buy the ticket first. The key rule is that flights, hotels, insurance and itinerary must all show the same dates. Use real, refundable bookings. Fake “dummy tickets” that can’t be verified are a risk.
Checked on 4 November 2026 against the Portugal, Sweden and Germany checklists for the UAE (VFS Global). This applies whatever passport you hold, if your passport needs a Schengen visa.
What the UAE checklists ask for
| Country | Flights | Accommodation | Extra |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portugal | Flight reservation including return | Hotel reservation, rental contract, or proof of property, with the full address and contact details for the whole stay | None |
| Sweden | Copy of the ticket or reservation; must include return; must match the accommodation and insurance dates | Hotel reservation, or proof of rental or ownership | Full itinerary of planned activities |
| Germany | Flight reservation | Proof of accommodation, such as a formal obligation letter or invitation from a host | None |
Your options for flights and hotels
| Option | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Refundable or flexible airline fare | Real and verifiable; you can travel on it | Costs more, but is refundable if the visa is refused |
| Airline “hold” or a reservation through a travel agency | Real booking reference; low cost | Holds can expire before the consulate checks |
| Hotel with free cancellation | Real booking; usually free to cancel | Check the cancellation deadline |
| Staying with family or friends | No hotel cost | Needs an invitation and, in some countries, an official form. See invitation letters. |
| Paid-for “dummy ticket” website | Cheap | Often cancelled within hours or not real; a false document can lead to refusal |
Why “dummy tickets” are risky
Some websites sell reservations that are cancelled soon after they are issued, or that never existed. A consulate that checks the booking reference and finds nothing may treat it as false information, which is a ground for refusal under the Visa Code and can affect future applications. A real, cancellable reservation costs a little more and removes the risk.
How to book for a Schengen visa: step by step
- Fix your dates and route, including the country where you spend the most nights (your main destination).
- Book a refundable flight, or a real reservation, with a return to the UAE.
- Book accommodation for every night, with free cancellation and full addresses.
- Buy travel insurance covering exactly those dates, at least €30,000.
- Write a short day-by-day itinerary that matches the bookings.
- Check that everything matches: the form, the employer letter’s leave dates, flights, hotels and insurance.
Bookings decide your main destination
You apply to the country where you spend the most nights, or where you enter first if the nights are equal. Your hotel bookings are the evidence. If you apply to France but your bookings show most nights in Italy, your file will not make sense. See which Schengen country to apply to from the UAE.
Questions people ask
Do I need to buy a flight ticket before applying for a Schengen visa?
Usually not. The UAE checklists accept a return flight reservation. A refundable ticket is the safest option if you prefer a paid booking.
Are dummy tickets accepted for a Schengen visa?
Not safely. If the booking can’t be verified, the consulate may treat it as false information. Use a real, cancellable reservation.
Do I need hotel bookings for every night?
Yes, covering the whole stay, with full addresses, or proof of where you will stay with a host.
Can I cancel my hotel after getting the visa?
You can change plans, but your trip should still broadly match what you applied for, especially your main destination. Border guards can ask where you are staying.
Related guides
- Schengen visa document checklist for UAE residents
- Schengen travel insurance from the UAE
- Employer letter for a Schengen visa
Sources
- VFS Global Portugal UAE: Tourist checklist
- VFS Global Sweden UAE: Tourism checklist
- VFS Global Germany UAE: Visit visa checklist
Written by Asad Waleed M, Dubai. Asad has lived in the UAE for nine years and researches visa rules from government sources. He is not an immigration lawyer or consultant, and Sifqa does not process applications or sell visa services. Read the editorial policy.
Last checked 4 November 2026. Found an error? Email [email protected] and it will be fixed and logged.