2026's Top Schengen Countries for Visa Applications (Ordered by Approval Rate)
Which Schengen nation has the best chances of granting a visa in 2026? This report shows which countries grant the most multiple-entry visas, highlights the best possibilities for Indian travelers, and ranks the countries with the lowest refusal rates based on official EU figures encompassing 11.9 million applications.
Do you want to travel to Europe but are afraid of applying for a visa? You're not by yourself. One in seven of the over 12 million Schengen visa applications submitted in 2025 were denied. The majority of travel blogs won't tell you this, though: where you apply is just as important as what you submit.
We examined the most recent Schengen visa data from the European Commission, which covers all 29 Schengen nations and more than 1,800 consulates globally, in order to determine the top-performing locations.
Just a brief reminder: If your stay is divided equally, you should apply through your first point of entry or the nation where you will spend the most time. These rankings are not meant to assist travelers in getting around Schengen regulations, but rather to show approval trends.The Rankings: Top Schengen Nations by Rate of Visa Approval (2025)
The research below shows the full list of the top Schengen nations by visa approval rates, based on official EU Schengen visa statistics for 2025.Rank, Country, Rejection Rate, Applications
Slovakia 9.63% 18,033; Italy 11.33% 1,059,956; Romania 11.48% 54,100; Austria 11.90% 250,112; Latvia 12.25% 19,222; Switzerland 12.49% 619,323; Bulgaria 12.50% 179,402; and Hungary 12.97%
1 Slovakia: Europe's Lowest Rejection Rate
In 2025, Slovakia rejected less than 10% of applicants for visas, the lowest rate of any Schengen state. Despite having a smaller consular network (18,033 applications submitted), the acceptance rate is the highest in the bloc.Beyond visa statistics, Slovakia is frequently disregarded by foreign visitors even though it provides quick access to nearby locations like Prague, Budapest, and Vienna. Its capital, Bratislava, is only an hour's drive from Vienna, and the High Tatras are some of the most picturesque mountain regions in Central Europe.
Important stat:
18,033 applications submitted, 15,988 visas issued, 9.63% rejection rate, 2 Italy: 11.33% Rejection Rate (Optimal Large-Country Choice)
Few Schengen nations can match Italy's large application volume and comparatively low rejection rate. Only 11.33% of the more than one million visa applications that Italian consulates processed in 2025 were denied. Considering the volume of demand, that is an impressive number.
Additionally, Italy is notable for awarding a lot of Multiple Entry Visas (MEVs), which provide authorized travelers more freedom to travel throughout Europe in the future.Italy is one of the safest and most sensible Schengen options for applicants from India and many other nations due to its vast visa network and consistent approval patterns.
Important stat:
11.33% Rejection Rate 1,059,956 Applications Filed 939,333 Visas Granted 3 Germany: Rejection Rate: 13.08% (Best for Indians)
Germany is still one of the key Schengen countries with the easiest visa requirements, especially for applicants from India. The nation became the second-largest issuer of Schengen visas in 2025 after processing close to 1.5 million applications. Germany maintained a rejection rate of only 13.08% in spite of this massive workload.
Germany in Bangalore: an astounding 1.46% rejection rate (3,632 applications).
Germany in New Delhi: 9.96% rejection rate; Germany in Mumbai: 10.79% (130,562 applications, enormous volume, excellent approval)When it comes to multiple-entry visas, Germany is the clear top as well. In 2025, Germany granted about 90% of its visas as multi-entry permits.
Important Stat:
13.08% Rejection Rate 1,497,619 Applications Filed 89.13% MEV Share 4 Switzerland: 12.49% Rejection Rate (by Volume, Best for Indian Applicants)
The statistics assist to explain why Switzerland is still one of the most sought-after Schengen locations for Indian tourists. In 2025, the nation processed over 619,000 applications with a rejection rate of less than 13%. Over 226,000 applications came from India alone.
Swiss visa centres are widely regarded as efficient, country’s documentation requirements tend to be straightforward for applicants who meet eligibility criteria.
Switzerland has one of the best acceptance records among high-volume Schengen states for travelers going to places like Zurich, Geneva, Lucerne, or Interlaken.
Important Stat:
12.49% Rejection Rate 619,323 Applications Filed 66.67% MEV Share 5 Austria: Silently Among the Top Performers
When it comes to visa discussions, Austria rarely receives the same attention as France, Italy, or Germany, but its figures speak for themselves. Austria often ranks among the top-performing Schengen nations, processing over 250,000 applications with a rejection rate of just 11.9%.
Austria has one of the most reliable approval records in the union and provides simple connections to neighboring sites for those visiting Central Europe.
Important Stat:
Hungary: 12.97% Rejection Rate (Budget Traveller's Secret) 11.90% Rejection Rate 250,112 Applications Submitted 53.89% MEV Share
Hungary has good visa approval rates, but it still goes unnoticed. In 2025, the nation processed over 265,000 applications, rejecting only 12.97% of them. Demand has increased recently due to Budapest's rising appeal as a regional travel hub and city-break destination.
Hungary's rejection rate for Indian applicants is still lower than that of a number of larger Western European nations, so when it fits with actual travel plans, it's a worthwhile option.
Key Stat: 265,479 Applications Submitted, 12.97% Rejection Rate
MEV Share: 43.89%
The Schengen nations with the highest rates of visa rejection
Malta has the highest rejection rate of any Schengen nation, with almost 4 out of 10 applicants being rejected (38.37%). Portugal (23.35%) and Belgium (26.11%) both considerably surpass the bloc-wide average of 14.78%.
Applications Rejected by Country 🇲🇹 Malta 38.37% 54,037 🇧🇪 Belgium 26.11% 263,617 🇪🇪 Estonia 24.55% 11,828 🇵🇹 Portugal 23.35% 253,108 🇸🇪 Sweden 23.33% 190,881
Why Your Passport Is More Important Than You May Imagine
Approval rates differ significantly by country, which is one of the data's most startling conclusions.
Rejection rates are among the lowest in the world for applicants from nations including Australia, the United States, China, and Hong Kong. Travelers from Senegal, Nigeria, Bangladesh, and Pakistan, on the other hand, have much worse chances in most Schengen locations.
Nationalities with the lowest rejection percentages and the easiest approval processes:
Belarus: 2.33% of 157,028 applications were rejected
Hong Kong SAR: 2.77% rejection rate
Australia: 3.01% rejection rate
China: 4.12% rejection (1.8 million applications, the largest source country) 🇺🇸 USA: 4.95% rejection
Nationalities with the greatest rejection rates (more than 1,000 applications):
Bangladesh: 54.54% rejection rate
Senegal: 51.85% rejection rate
Nigeria: 47.94% rejected
🇵🇰 Rejection rate in Pakistan: 45.88%
🇩🇿 Algeria: 30.98% of 416,739 applications were rejected
Put another way, your nationality can have nearly as much of an impact on your chances as the country you apply through.
Which nations grant the most visas for multiple entries?
Seek out nations with a high MEV share if you wish to visit and depart from Europe frequently.
A many Entry Visa is particularly useful for business travelers and frequent tourists because it permits travelers to enter and exit the Schengen Area many times during its
validity period.
MEV Share Rejection Rate by Country
Germany 89.13% 13.08%
Switzerland 66.67% 12.49%
Belgium 71.79% 26.11%
Italy 58.54% 11.33%
Germany is the obvious winner in this case; your chances of being granted a Multiple Entry Visa are 89%. Italy is arguably the greatest option overall because it has a high MEV share and one of the lowest rejection rates in the bloc.
Five Crucial Lessons
Slovakia has a small network of consulates and the lowest rejection rate (9.63%), making it perfect for legitimate visitors.
With a low rejection rate, a strong MEV share, and a global network of consulates, Italy is the finest large-country alternative.
For Indian applicants, Germany is the best option, particularly through the consulates in Bangalore and Mumbai.
Malta has a rejection rate of 38.37%, which is more than twice as high as Italy.
Nationality is just as crucial as destination; holders of passports from China, the United States, and Australia are almost guaranteed clearance; applicants from West Africa, regardless of the country they apply through, encounter significant challenges.
Travelers should concentrate on legitimate trip plans and solid paperwork, but visa approval rates convey an essential tale. Your chances can be increased by selecting the appropriate Schengen nation, but compliance is still crucial.
