Planning a trip to Europe but dreading the visa process? You’re not alone. Nearly 12 million Schengen visa applications were filed in 2025, and 1 in 7 were rejected. But here’s the thing most travel blogs won’t tell you: where you apply matters just as much as what you submit.
To identify the best-performing destinations, we analysed the European Commission’s latest Schengen visa data covering all 29 Schengen countries and more than 1,800 consulates worldwide.
A quick reminder: You should always apply through the country where you will spend the most time, or your first point of entry if your stay is evenly split. These rankings are intended to highlight approval trends, not help travellers bypass Schengen rules.
🏆 The Rankings: Best Schengen Countries by Visa Approval Rate (2025)
Based on official 2025 EU Schengen visa statistics, the analysis below presents the complete list of the best Schengen countries by visa approval rates.
| Rank | Country | Rejection Rate | Applications |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 🇸🇰 Slovakia | 9.63% | 18,033 |
| 2 | 🇮🇹 Italy | 11.33% | 1,059,956 |
| 3 | 🇷🇴 Romania | 11.48% | 54,100 |
| 4 | 🇦🇹 Austria | 11.90% | 250,112 |
| 5 | 🇱🇻 Latvia | 12.25% | 19,222 |
| 6 | 🇨🇭 Switzerland | 12.49% | 619,323 |
| 7 | 🇧🇬 Bulgaria | 12.50% | 179,402 |
| 8 | 🇭🇺 Hungary | 12.97% | 265,479 |
| 9 | 🇩🇪 Germany | 13.08% | 1,497,619 |
| 10 | 🇫🇮 Finland | 13.40% | 90,463 |
1 Slovakia: The Lowest Rejection Rate in Europe
Slovakia has the lowest visa rejection rate of any Schengen state in 2025, turning away fewer than 1 in 10 applicants. While its consulate network is smaller (18,033 applications processed), the approval rate is unmatched across the bloc.
Beyond the visa statistics, Slovakia is often overlooked by international travellers despite offering easy access to neighbouring destinations such as Vienna, Budapest, and Prague. Its capital, Bratislava, sits just an hour from Vienna, while the High Tatras are among Central Europe’s most scenic mountain regions.
- Key stat:
- 9.63% Rejection Rate
- 18,033 Applications Submitted
- 15,988 Visas Issued
2 Italy: 11.33% Rejection Rate (Best Large-Country Option)
Italy offers something few Schengen countries can match: high application volumes and a relatively low rejection rate. More than one million visa applications were processed by Italian consulates in 2025, yet only 11.33% were refused. That’s an impressive figure considering the scale of demand.
Italy also stands out for issuing a large number of Multiple Entry Visas (MEVs), giving approved travellers greater flexibility for future European trips.
For applicants in India and many other countries, Italy’s extensive visa network and predictable approval trends make it one of the safest and most practical Schengen choices.
- Key stat:
- 11.33% Rejection Rate
- 1,059,956 Applications Submitted
- 939,333 Visas Issued
3 Germany: 13.08% Rejection Rate (Best for Indians)
Germany remains one of the most visa-friendly major Schengen destinations, particularly for applicants in India. The country processed nearly 1.5 million applications in 2025, making it the second-largest Schengen visa issuer. Despite this enormous workload, Germany maintained a rejection rate of just 13.08%.
- Germany in Bangalore: 1.46% rejection rate (3,632 applications, extraordinary figure)
- Germany in Mumbai: 10.79% rejection rate (130,562 applications, huge volume, great approval)
- Germany in New Delhi: 9.96% rejection rate
Germany is also the undisputed leader when it comes to multiple-entry visas. Nearly nine out of ten visas issued by Germany in 2025 were multi-entry permits.
- Key Stat:
- 13.08% Rejection Rate
- 1,497,619 Applications Submitted
- 89.13% MEV Share
4 Switzerland: 12.49% Rejection Rate (Best for Indian Applicants by Volume)
Switzerland continues to be one of the most popular Schengen destinations among Indian travellers, and the numbers help explain why. The country processed more than 619,000 applications in 2025 while maintaining a rejection rate below 13%. India alone accounted for over 226,000 applications.
Swiss visa centres are widely regarded as efficient, and the country’s documentation requirements tend to be straightforward for applicants who meet the eligibility criteria.
For travellers heading to destinations such as Zurich, Geneva, Lucerne or Interlaken, Switzerland offers one of the strongest approval records among high-volume Schengen countries.
- Key Stat:
- 12.49% Rejection Rate
- 619,323 Applications Submitted
- 66.67% MEV Share
5 Austria: Quietly One of the Best Performers
Austria rarely attracts the same attention as France, Italy or Germany when visa discussions come up, but its numbers tell an impressive story. With more than 250,000 applications processed and a rejection rate of just 11.9%, Austria consistently ranks among the best-performing Schengen countries.
For travellers exploring Central Europe, Austria offers the added advantage of easy connections to neighbouring destinations while maintaining one of the bloc’s most stable approval records.
- Key Stat:
- 11.90% Rejection Rate
- 250,112 Applications Submitted
- 53.89% MEV Share
6 Hungary: 12.97% Rejection Rate (Budget Traveller’s Secret)
Hungary continues to fly under the radar despite delivering solid visa approval rates. The country rejected just 12.97% of applications in 2025 while processing more than 265,000 requests. Budapest’s growing popularity as a city-break destination and regional travel hub has helped boost demand in recent years.
For Indian applicants, Hungary’s rejection rate remains lower than several larger Western European countries, making it an option worth considering when it aligns with genuine travel plans.
- Key Stat
- 12.97% Rejection Rate
- 265,479 Applications Submitted
- 43.89% MEV Share
Schengen Countries With the Highest Visa Rejection Rates
Malta’s 38.37% rejection rate is the highest of any Schengen country; nearly 4 in 10 applicants are turned away. Belgium (26.11%) and Portugal (23.35%) also significantly exceed the bloc-wide average of 14.78%.
| Country | Rejection Rate | Applications |
|---|---|---|
| 🇲🇹 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 Matters More Than You Think
One of the most striking findings in the data is that approval rates vary dramatically depending on nationality.
Applicants from countries such as Australia, the United States, China and Hong Kong enjoy some of the lowest rejection rates in the world. Meanwhile, travellers from Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nigeria and Senegal face significantly tougher odds across most Schengen destinations.
Easiest nationalities to get approved (lowest rejection rates):
- 🇧🇾 Belarus: 2.33% rejection (157,028 applications)
- 🇭🇰 Hong Kong SAR: 2.77% rejection
- 🇦🇺 Australia: 3.01% rejection
- 🇨🇳 China: 4.12% rejection (1.8 million applications, by far the largest source country)
- 🇺🇸 USA: 4.95% rejection
Hardest nationalities (highest rejection rates, 1,000+ applications):
- 🇧🇩 Bangladesh: 54.54% rejection
- 🇸🇳 Senegal: 51.85% rejection
- 🇳🇬 Nigeria: 47.94% rejection
- 🇵🇰 Pakistan: 45.88% rejection
- 🇩🇿 Algeria: 30.98% rejection (416,739 applications)
In other words, your nationality can influence your chances almost as much as the country through which you apply.
Which Countries Issue the Most Multiple-Entry-Visas?
If you want to travel in and out of Europe multiple times, look for countries with a high MEV share.
A Multiple Entry Visa allows travellers to enter and leave the Schengen Area several times during its validity period, making it especially valuable for business travellers and repeat visitors.
| Country | MEV Share | Rejection Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 🇩🇪 Germany | 89.13% | 13.08% |
| 🇨🇭 Switzerland | 66.67% | 12.49% |
| 🇧🇪 Belgium | 71.79% | 26.11% |
| 🇮🇹 Italy | 58.54% | 11.33% |
Germany is the clear winner here; if approved, there’s an 89% chance you’ll get a Multiple Entry Visa. Italy combines a high MEV share with one of the bloc’s lowest rejection rates, making it arguably the best all-round option.
5 Key Takeaways
- Slovakia has the lowest rejection rate (9.63%), but a small consulate network, ideal if you’re genuinely visiting.
- Italy is the best large-country option, with low rejection, high MEV share, global consulate network.
- Germany is the best bet for Indian applicants, especially through the Mumbai and Bangalore consulates.
- Malta has by far the worst rejection rate at 38.37%, more than double Italy’s.
- Nationality is as important as destination; Chinese, American, and Australian passport holders face near-guaranteed approvals; West African applicants face steep odds regardless of which country they apply through.
Take
Visa approval rates tell an important story, but travellers should focus on genuine travel plans and strong documentation. Choosing the right Schengen country can improve your chances, but compliance remains key.
Data source: European Commission Schengen Visa Statistics 2025. Statistics reflect consulate-processed applications only and exclude border crossing point issuances.
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