Asan Tata— November 3, 2026UAE citizens travelling to Germany can now skip the regular passport queue at German airports. From 1 November 2026, Emiratis aged 12 and above can register for Germany’s EasyPASS Registered Traveller Programme, known as EasyPASS-RTP, and use automated border control gates instead of waiting for a manual passport check.
The change was announced by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) and the UAE Embassy in Berlin, and it is confirmed on the website of the German Federal Police. Registration is free, and it is aimed mainly at frequent travellers. This article explains who can use the service, how registration works, where it applies, and what it does not cover.
Quick Answer
From 1 November 2026, UAE citizens aged 12 or older who hold a valid biometric (electronic) passport can register free of charge for EasyPASS-RTP at a German Federal Police service office inside a participating German airport. Once registered, they can use the EasyPASS automated gates for border control instead of the standard manual check. Registration is normally done in person, without a prior appointment, during the office’s opening hours. UAE citizens already enter Germany without a visa for short tourist stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period.
What Is EasyPASS-RTP?
EasyPASS is Germany’s semi-automated border control system. Travellers place their electronic passport on a reader, look at a camera for a facial comparison, and pass through a gate. The Registered Traveller Programme, or RTP, extends this system to citizens of selected countries that have a reciprocal agreement with Germany on automated border control.
Before this change, the programme covered citizens of the United States, Hong Kong, South Korea, Taiwan and the United Kingdom. The German Federal Police website now lists the United Arab Emirates among the cooperating countries, with a note marked “NEW” stating that UAE citizens can register from 1 November 2026.
The programme is designed for people who travel often. It does not change visa rules. It only changes how the border check is carried out: an automated gate instead of a staffed counter.
Who Can Use It
Three conditions must all be met:
- UAE citizenship: The arrangement applies to Emirati citizens. Holding a UAE residence visa alone does not qualify a traveller, because the agreement covers UAE nationals specifically.
- Age 12 or older: The German Federal Police states that EasyPASS can be used by RTP participants aged 12 and over. Children under 12 cannot use the gates and must go through the regular border control.
- A valid biometric passport: The traveller must hold a valid electronic passport, the type with a chip that stores biometric data. The passport must be valid at the time of travel.
Travellers should also have no adverse records that would block entry. Border officers can still carry out checks, and registration does not guarantee entry into Germany.
How Registration Works
Registration takes place only at Federal Police service offices at EasyPASS locations inside German airports. It cannot be completed online or before departure from the UAE. The steps are as follows:
Step 1: Arrive at a participating German airport
Travel to Germany as normal and go through the regular border control on your first arrival. Registration happens at the airport, so the first entry is still processed at a staffed counter.
Step 2: Visit the Federal Police service office
Go to the EasyPASS registration office at the airport. Registration can generally be done without an appointment during the office’s official working hours. Hours vary by airport, so travellers should check the German Federal Police website for the office location and opening times at their arrival airport.
Step 3: Register in person
Appear in person with your valid biometric passport. The office checks your details and records your registration. Travellers can fill in the registration form in advance to speed up the visit, and the German Federal Police notes that the form can be brought along already completed.
Step 4: Receive confirmation and start using EasyPASS
After successful registration, the traveller receives a copy of the consent declaration. From that point, the traveller can use the EasyPASS gates immediately at participating airports.
Cost and Validity
Registration for EasyPASS-RTP is completely free. The German Federal Police states this clearly on its programme page, and MOFA’s announcement repeats it. There is no participation fee, although travellers must still meet all other travel and immigration requirements.
On validity, two official descriptions apply, and travellers should confirm the detail at the registration office. The German Federal Police states that participation is limited to the validity period of the electronic passport, and that re-registration is possible when a new passport is issued. Reporting of the UAE Embassy announcement describes registration as valid for one year and renewable. In practice, this means travellers should expect to renew their registration, and they will certainly need to re-register after getting a new passport.
Where the Gates Are Available
EasyPASS is available at Germany’s major international airports. Reported participating airports include Frankfurt, Munich, Berlin Brandenburg, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, Hanover, Stuttgart and Cologne Bonn. Registration offices operate only at airports that run the EasyPASS system, and services may not run around the clock, so checking the airport’s registration office hours before travel is advisable.
Because registration happens at the airport itself, a traveller’s first trip under the new arrangement still involves the normal border check. The time saving applies from the next trip onwards, once registration is complete.
Visa-Free Stay Rules for UAE Citizens in Germany
EasyPASS-RTP changes the border check, not the visa rules. MOFA’s travel advice for Germany sets out the permitted stay for UAE citizens as follows:
| Purpose of visit | Permitted stay without a visa |
|---|---|
| Tourism | Up to 90 days, either consecutive or separate days within a 180-day period |
| Medical treatment | Up to 90 days, consecutive or separate; apply for a medical visa before travel if the stay will exceed 90 days |
| Study | Up to 90 days, consecutive or separate; apply for a study visa before travel if the stay will exceed 90 days |
| Work | A work visa from the German diplomatic mission is required before travel |
These are the standard Schengen short-stay rules. The 90-days-in-180-days limit counts all days spent in the Schengen area, not only days in Germany. Travellers who plan a longer stay for treatment or study should apply for the correct visa from the German Embassy or Consulate in the UAE before travelling.
What This Does Not Cover
Several limits are worth stating plainly. First, the programme is for UAE citizens only. Expatriate residents of the UAE, including people who hold a UAE residence visa, do not qualify under this arrangement, even if they travel from a UAE airport.
Second, EasyPASS-RTP is a border-control convenience, not a visa or a residence right. It does not extend the permitted stay, and it does not replace the need for a visa where one is required, such as for work or long-term study.
Third, registration is tied to the traveller’s passport. A new passport means a new registration. Travellers should also carry their passport as normal, because the gates read the passport chip.
Finally, automated gates do not remove border officers’ authority. Travellers can still be referred to a manual check, and entry remains subject to German and Schengen border rules.
The Reciprocal Side: Germans Using UAE Smart Gates
The arrangement works in both directions. The German Federal Police notes that German nationals may use the Smart Gates in the UAE for entry and exit during a short stay, subject to conditions: a valid electronic passport, a minimum age of 12, and no adverse database records. Registration for Germans takes place on first arrival as part of the immigration check at the border counter, and the Smart Gates can then be used without further registration until the passport expires.
The new UAE-Germany arrangement follows the September 2026 state visit of UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to Germany, during which bilateral cooperation on travel facilitation was discussed. It sits alongside wider UAE-Germany ties in trade, investment and energy.
Tips for First-Time Users
- Check the German Federal Police website for the registration office location and opening hours at your arrival airport before you fly.
- Keep your biometric passport valid for the whole trip, and remember that a new passport means re-registration.
- Allow extra time on your first trip, since registration happens at the airport after the normal border check.
- Fill in the registration form in advance if you can, to shorten the visit to the service office.
- Track your Schengen days. The 90-day limit covers the whole Schengen area, not just Germany.
- For stays longer than 90 days, or for work, apply for the correct German visa before travelling.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do UAE citizens need a visa to visit Germany?
No, not for short stays. UAE citizens are visa-exempt for tourism visits of up to 90 days within any 180-day period. Longer stays, work and long-term study need the correct visa applied for before travel.
Is EasyPASS-RTP registration really free?
Yes. The German Federal Police states that participation in EasyPASS-RTP is free, and MOFA’s announcement confirms there is no charge for Emirati citizens.
Can I register online before my flight?
No. Registration is only possible in person at a Federal Police service office at a participating German airport. It cannot be completed from the UAE.
Can children use the e-gates?
Only travellers aged 12 and above can use EasyPASS under the programme. Younger children must use the regular border control with an adult.
Does registration work at every German airport?
No. It works only at airports that operate the EasyPASS system, including major airports such as Frankfurt, Munich and Berlin Brandenburg. Check the German Federal Police website for the full list and office hours.
I am a UAE resident but not a citizen. Can I use it?
No. This arrangement covers UAE citizens only. A UAE residence visa alone does not qualify a traveller for EasyPASS-RTP.
What happens when I get a new passport?
Participation is tied to your electronic passport. When you receive a new passport, you will need to re-register at a German airport service office.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only and is not official travel advice. Border and visa rules can change, and individual cases may differ. Travellers should check the latest guidance from the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the German Federal Police before travelling.
Last Updated: 3 November 2026
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