If you are visiting family or friends in Europe from the UAE, your host usually provides an invitation letter with a copy of their ID or residence permit and proof of their address. Some countries use an official form instead of, or alongside, a simple letter:
- Germany: the Verpflichtungserklärung (formal obligation letter), €29 at the host’s foreigners’ office. It is needed if the host will pay for your stay.
- France: the attestation d’accueil, €30 at the host’s town hall.
- Spain: the carta de invitación, issued by the National Police.
- Netherlands: the Proof of Sponsorship form, with the signature legalised at the municipality.
The host applies for these forms in Europe, not you.
Checked on 4 November 2026 against service-public.fr, German municipal guidance on the Verpflichtungserklärung, Netherlands Worldwide and Spanish fee guidance. You still apply for the visa itself at the visa centre in the UAE that serves your emirate, with your UAE residence permit.
Which invitation document does each country use?
| Country | Document | Where the host gets it | Fee | When it is needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Germany | Verpflichtungserklärung (formal obligation letter) | Local foreigners’ office (Ausländerbehörde) | €29 | When the host pays for your stay. A simple invitation is enough if you fund yourself. |
| France | Attestation d’accueil | Town hall (mairie) where the host lives | €30 in tax stamps | Private or family visits where you stay with the host |
| Spain | Carta de invitación | National Police (Policía Nacional) | About €83.50 plus about €7.20 | Private visits with accommodation by the host |
| Netherlands | Proof of sponsorship form (IND 1310), signature legalised | Municipality (host signs before an official) | Set by the municipality | When the host sponsors or houses you and you need a visa |
| Other Schengen countries | Usually a signed letter plus host documents | Not applicable | None | Check the visa centre checklist |
What the host must provide
- Germany (Verpflichtungserklärung): passport or residence permit, a copy of your passport and your UAE address, the last 6 payslips and employment contract (or self-employment proof), and 3 months of bank statements. The fee is charged even if the request is refused.
- France (attestation d’accueil): the host’s ID or residence permit, proof of the home, proof of income, and your passport number. The town hall may inspect the home. You need medical insurance of at least €30,000. It is not required if you hold a circulation visa, or a visa marked “family member of a French national”.
- Spain (carta de invitación): the host’s Spanish ID card (DNI) or foreigner’s number (NIE), a property deed or rental contract, the empadronamiento certificate, and your passport and travel dates. Allow several weeks for processing.
- Netherlands: the host completes the form, then signs it in front of a municipal official with ID. A joint-sponsor partner must also sign. The host needs steady income for the next 12 months. You must apply for the visa within 6 months.
How it works: step by step
- Agree on dates with your host, and decide who pays for your stay.
- Send your host a copy of your passport, your UAE address and your exact dates.
- The host gets the official form, if one is used, or writes and signs an invitation letter.
- The host sends you the original by courier, or a scan if the visa centre accepts copies. Germany’s declaration is usually submitted as the original.
- Apply at the visa centre in the UAE with the invitation, the host’s ID copy, your UAE residence permit, €30,000 travel insurance, flights and bank statements.
Invitation letter template
Use this where a simple letter is accepted. Replace the brackets.
[Host full name] [Address, postcode, city, country] [Phone] | [Email] [Date] To: The Visa Section, Embassy/Consulate of [Country], UAE Subject: Invitation for [Visitor full name], passport no. [number] I, [host name], born on [date], [nationality / resident of country with permit no.], invite [visitor name], my [relationship], who lives in [Dubai/Abu Dhabi], UAE, to visit me from [date] to [date]. [He/She] will stay at my home at the address above. [I will cover accommodation and meals. / He/She will cover all travel costs.] [Visitor name] will return to the UAE, where [he/she] lives and works as [job title] at [employer], before [return date]. Enclosed: copy of my passport/ID or residence permit, proof of address. Signature: ____________ [Host name]
Common mistakes
- The dates in the letter don’t match your flights or your application form
- The host has no legal residence, or the residence permit expires during your visit
- Relying on the invitation alone: you still need your own UAE residence, a job or business, and bank statements to prove you will return
- Using a simple letter where the country expects its official form, such as France for stays with a private host
Questions people ask
Do I need an invitation letter for a Schengen visa from Dubai?
Only for visits to family or friends, or for business. Tourists with hotel bookings do not need one.
How much does a Verpflichtungserklärung cost?
€29, paid by the host at the German foreigners’ office. The fee is not refunded if the request is refused.
What is an attestation d’accueil?
It is France’s official hosting certificate for private visits. The host requests it from the town hall for €30.
Does an invitation letter guarantee a visa?
No. The consulate still checks your own ties to the UAE, your finances and your travel history.
Can my host’s letter be a scan?
Often yes for simple letters. Official forms such as Germany’s Verpflichtungserklärung are normally submitted as originals.
Related guides
- Schengen visa from Dubai and the UAE
- Schengen visa document checklist for UAE residents
- Health insurance for European visas from the UAE
Sources
- Service-public.fr: Attestation d’accueil
- City of Marl (Germany): Verpflichtungserklärung information sheet (2026)
- Netherlands Worldwide: Sponsoring a visitor
- Spain carta de invitación fees: 2026 summary
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.