If you are planning a trip to Europe before the end of 2025 or in early 2026, knowing which Schengen countries are most likely to approve your visa application can save you time, money, and a lot of stress. Official 2025 visa data is not fully released yet, but the most recent published figures from 2024 show clear trends that are still relevant today.
Overall Schengen Visa Trends
In 2024, the consulates of the European Union and Schengen-associated countries received more than 11.7 million short-stay visa applications. That was a 13.6 percent increase compared with 2023 and nearly double the total applications from 2022. Of these, over 9.7 million visas were granted, showing a steady rebound in travel demand.
This growing interest means more competition and often longer processing times at embassies and application centers. If you want the best chance of success, planning ahead is now more important than ever.
Top Schengen Countries With High Visa Approval Rates
Based on the latest published approval rate data from 2024, here are some of the countries that approved the highest percentage of Schengen visa applications:
- Iceland – Around 91 percent of visas were approved.
- Slovakia – About 89 percent approval.
- Italy – Roughly 89 percent approval.
- Romania – Nearly 88 percent approval.
- Switzerland – Around 88 percent approval.
- Hungary – About 87 percent approval.
- Norway – Also about 87 percent approval.
- Greece – Around 86 percent approval.
- Austria – Nearly 86 percent approval.
- Luxembourg – Around 86 percent approval.
These countries were among the most welcoming for visa applicants in 2024 and can be good options if your travel plans allow you to choose your main destination based on convenience and confidence.
Important: Apply Where You Are Actually Traveling
Even though some countries have high visa approval rates, you must follow the official Schengen Visa Code when you apply. If you are visiting only one country, submit your application to that country’s consulate or visa center. If your trip involves several countries, apply at the consulate of the place where you will spend the most nights. If your time in each destination is equal, you must apply at the consulate of the first country you will enter.
Trying to apply through the consulate with the best approval rate while planning to visit another country on your trip can lead to a refusal. A refusal not only wastes your application fee but may also make future applications harder.
Which Countries Dropped in Approval Rankings
Some countries that were easier for applicants in earlier years saw declines in 2024. Germany, Latvia, Poland, and Lithuania were among the top performing countries in 2023 but did not rank as highly in 2024. Experts suggest that rising demand, tighter checks, and administrative changes may be behind these shifts.
Nationality Still Affects Approval Chances
Where you come from still affects your odds of getting a Schengen visa. In 2024, citizens of some countries enjoyed very high approval rates despite smaller total numbers of applications:
- Liberia – About 98 percent approval.
- Vanuatu – Around 96 percent.
- Zambia – About 89 percent.
- Botswana – Around 83 percent.
- Niger – Nearly 79 percent.
At the same time, some countries faced much lower approval rates, such as applicants from Guinea-Bissau and Haiti. This shows that consular decisions vary widely depending on circumstances and documentation quality.
Approval Rate Is Not a Guarantee
High approval rates do not guarantee visa success. An application can still be refused if your documents are incomplete, your itinerary is unclear, or your financial evidence is not strong. Choosing a favorable country helps, but careful preparation of your paperwork and a clear travel plan remain the biggest factors in approval.
Tips for Schengen Visa Applicants in Late 2025 and Early 2026
Here are some practical tips if you plan to apply soon:
Start early
Apply well before your planned departure date because ambassadorial slots and processing times fill up quickly.
Follow travel rules
Make sure your application is submitted to the correct consulate based on travel plans.
Check your documents
Gather every required document and double-check them for consistency and accuracy.
Avoid peak submission times
The end of the year, especially November and December, can be the busiest period for visa applications.
Write a clear cover letter
Explain your travel itinerary, financial situation, and reasons for returning home at the end of your trip.
All of these steps improve your chances of visa success.
What This Means for Travelers Looking Ahead
As we approach early 2026, trends from 2024 and continued growth in visa demand suggest that countries like Iceland, Slovakia, and Romania will remain strong choices for applicants. The European Union is also planning a unified digital visa platform that is expected to simplify the application process and shorten waiting times for applicants across the Schengen Area, though full implementation will take time.
For now, use the latest available data to guide your application strategy, plan ahead, and prepare thoroughly. The better prepared and early you are, the smoother your Schengen visa journey is likely to be.
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