From 1 November 2026, UAE citizens can use the automated e-gates at German airports instead of queuing for a manual passport check. Germany’s Federal Police confirmed that Emirati nationals can register for the EasyPASS-RTP programme from that date, and the UAE Embassy in Berlin announced the arrangement.
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Who qualifies
- You must be a UAE citizen. The scheme does not extend to UAE residents holding other nationalities.
- You must be at least 12 years old when crossing the border.
- You must hold a valid electronic (biometric) passport.
The step most travellers will miss
Being eligible is not enough. You have to register in person first, and registration is only done at Federal Police service offices at EasyPASS locations. Turning up at the gate without it will simply send you to the manual counter.
The Federal Police say registration can generally be completed without an appointment during opening hours, and that it is free of charge.
How long the registration lasts
Your participation runs for as long as your electronic passport is valid, rather than for a fixed term. When you renew your passport, you re-register with the new document. Some early reports described a one-year validity that renews; the Federal Police’s own wording ties it to passport validity, so treat that as the reliable version.
Where you will find e-gates at German airports
The EasyPASS automated border control system operates at eight airports:
- Frankfurt am Main
- Munich
- Cologne/Bonn
- Düsseldorf
- Berlin Brandenburg
- Stuttgart
- Hanover
- Hamburg
Registration takes place at Federal Police service offices at these EasyPASS locations. The Federal Police do not publish a separate list of which offices handle registration, so check before you count on doing it at a particular airport.
What it changes, and what it does not
Using e-gates at German airports removes the slowest part of many trips. Arrival formalities at a busy European hub often take longer than anything after the flight itself. An automated gate turns that into a passport scan and a facial check. For anyone flying to Germany regularly on business, the one-off registration pays for itself on the second trip.
It is worth being clear about the limits: this speeds up the border check only. It does not change visa requirements, entry conditions, or how long you are permitted to stay.
Where to confirm before you fly
Germany’s Federal Police EasyPASS-RTP page sets out the registration process and requirements. The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs publishes travel guidance by destination, which is the place to check entry rules shortly before departure.
Planning the rest of the trip? Our guides to UAE visit visa fees and Sharjah Airport parking fees cover the costs on the UAE side of the journey.
