If you’re planning a Europe trip in late 2025 or early 2026 and need a Schengen visa, it’s important to know which countries have the highest approval rates. While approvals depend on your documents and travel history, trends can guide your application strategy.
Official 2025 figures are not yet available, but historical data shows the overall Schengen visa approval rate in 2024 was around 52.2%, with some countries performing far above average.
Top 10 Schengen Countries by Visa Approval Rate
| Country | Visa Approval Rate |
|---|---|
| Iceland | 91.25% |
| Slovakia | 89.25% |
| Italy | 88.72% |
| Romania | 88.36% |
| Switzerland | 88.12% |
| Hungary | 87.23% |
| Norway | 87.20% |
| Greece | 85.86% |
| Austria | 85.78% |
| Luxembourg | 85.65% |
These rankings differ from 2023, when countries like Germany, Latvia, Poland, and Lithuania were top performers, showing that visa approval trends shift annually.
Application Tips:
- If visiting one country, apply directly to its embassy, consulate, or visa center.
- If visiting multiple countries, apply to the embassy of your main destination (where you’ll spend the most time).
- Submitting to the wrong authority may delay processing or even result in no processing at all.
Important Considerations:
- Schengen countries received over 11.7 million visa applications in 2024, which can lead to longer waiting times and stricter scrutiny during peak travel periods.
- Even high-approval countries can refuse applications due to missing documents, unclear itineraries, inconsistent information, or insufficient proof of finances and ties to home country.
Also read: Schengen Visa Fee Rises, New Fees Apply
