Planning a trip to Europe but worried about getting your Schengen visa approved? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! Each year, thousands of travelers apply to explore the 29 countries in the Schengen area through Schengen visas.
A Schengen visa is a travel document for UK residents to visit and travel freely in 29 European countries within the Schengen area for up to 90 days within any 180 days. Simultaneously, it can be used for purposes such as tourism, business, and others.
But did you know? Not every country has a similar approval rate. According to the official Schengen visa statistics of 2024, the average rejection percentage is about 17% on 10 million visa applications. But here’s the good part that some countries have comparatively high approval rates. Due to the high approval rates, it is easy for a few Schengen countries to get a visa.
Therefore, to increase the chances of approval, it is necessary to choose the right Schengen visa services. In this blog, we will help you to talk about the top 10 easiest countries to get a Schengen visa from, with tips and insight to plan your adventure with ease.
Traveling has never been easier, as you can travel to your favorite European destinations with just one visa. Although it is said that some countries are known for strict visa policies, others have high approval rates and an easy application process.
The number of tourists arriving in China declined during COVID-19, but it increased significantly after it ended. With the increase in applications, the rejection rates also increased. In 2021, the global rejection rate was at 13.4%, which rose to 17.9% in 2022, decreased to 16% in 2023, and with the rejection rate dropping to 14.8% in 2024.
If you are wondering which Schengen country gives visas easily, don’t worry, we have curated a list for you. After analysing the 29 Schengen areas, here is the list of the lowest Schengen visa rejection rate countries, a few are as follows:
Here is the graph showing the top 10 easiest Schengen countries to get a visa in 2025, and Iceland, with the lowest visa denial rates, leading as the easiest, followed by Romania and Slovakia.
Here is the list of the top 5 countries with the highest number of Schengen visa applications, along with the denied visas.
1- China
Visa applications: 1,779,255
Denied visas: 80,703
2- Turkey
Visa applications: 1,173,917
Denied visas: 1,70,129
3- India
Visa applications: 1,108,239
Denied visas: 1,65,266
4- Morocco
Visa applications: 6,06,800
Denied visas: 1,15,774
5- Russia
Visa applications: 6,06,594
Denied visas: 44,885
| Rank | Country | Visa applications | Denied Visas | Rejection Rate |
| 1 | China | 1,779,255 | 80,703 | 4.5% |
| 2 | Turkey | 1,173,917 | 170,129 | 14.5% |
| 3 | India | 1,108,239 | 165,266 | 14.9% |
| 4 | Morocco | 606,800 | 115,774 | 19.1% |
| 5 | Russia | 606,594 | 44,885 | 7.4% |
This data shows that China, Turkey, and India were at the top with the most Schengen visa applications and nearly accounted for 4.1 million applications.
Globally, the refusal percentage of Schengen visa applications declined to 14.8% in 2024 in comparison with 17.9% in 2022 and 16% in 2023
Here is the list of the top five countries with the easiest Schengen visa for Indian travelers, some are as follows:
1- France
Holds the first position with 2,549,735 visas granted, with a total number of 3,072,728 visa applications received.
2- Spain
It stands among the top destinations with 1.63 million applications in 2024.
3- Germany
They issued approximately 1.29 million Schengen visa applications in 2024.
4- Italy
It holds the fourth position with over 1.23 million applications in 2024.
5- Netherlands
It handled approximately 7,28,656 visa applications in 2024.
| Schengen States | Visa applications received | Visas issued | Refusal rate |
| 1. France | 3 million | 2.5 million | 15.8% |
| 2. Spain | 1.6 million | 1.3 million | 15.7% |
| 3. Germany | 1.5 million | 1.3 million | 13.7% |
| 4. Italy | 1.2 million | 1.1 million | 10.9% |
| 5. Netherlands | 728,656 | 609,612 | 16.3% |
The rejection rates in Schengen visa applications vary due to different visa policies on the applications. Based on the data provided by the European Union in 2024, here is the list of the top five Schengen countries with the highest visa rejection rates:
Applicants from high-income and low-migration countries are most likely to get a Schengen visa with the highest approval rate. Here is the list of nationalities with the highest approval chances, some are as follows:
1- High economic stability
Applicants who have applied for a Schengen visa are more likely to be approved from countries with strong economies. They have low migration risks and are likely to be approved.
2- Regular traveler with strong documentation
Applicants who travel frequently show their history of international travel, which builds trust with the visa authorities.
3- Visa agreements
Some nations have agreements with certain Schengen countries, thereby reducing paperwork and increasing the chance of approval.
4- Low overstay rates
Applicants from different nations with a low rate of overstaying are more likely to be trusted by Schengen states.
5- Smooth visa processes
Countries with easy and fast application processes make it easier for their visas to get approved and streamlined as fast as possible.
The counties with the highest Schengen domain are mainly and South Asia, some are as follows:
1- Inadequate proof of financial means
Applicants must have enough money to cover all expenses during their stay. Proof of financial stability should be consistently good for the duration of the trip.
2- Unsure purpose of travel
An itinerary that raises questions leads to denial, as visa officers need a clear and reliable plan to convince them of the purpose of the intended stay.
3- Breach of visa violations
A history of continuous visa rejections due to overstaying or immigration offenses in Schengen areas often leads to a higher rejection rate and can negatively impact your application for future purposes.
4- Strength of the Passport
It plays a major role in the rejection of visas based on the passport strength. Applicants with lower-ranking passports are more likely to get rejected.
5- Incomplete documentation
A single error leads to rejection of receiving a visa. It may be due to falsified hotel bookings, flight reservations, invalid travel insurance, and more. Therefore, it is recommended to have full documentation with the necessary details.
You can contact visa experts for Schengen travel for any assistance. BOOK AN SCHENGEN APPOINTMENT WITH US right away!
If you plan on travelling to one of the Schengen countries for tourism, or any other purpose, it is necessary to have several documents, some are as follows:
In conclusion, choosing one of the easiest Schengen visa countries to travel to can significantly impact your travel experience with your Schengen visa and offer countless opportunities for exploration.
Iceland tops the list with the highest approval rate, thereby making it accessible to explore breathtaking scenes. It should not be hard to secure a Schengen visa if you apply through the easiest Schengen visa countries with high approval rates, like Iceland, Romania, Slovakia, and more, to save time and money. So, pack your bags, gather your documents, and get ready to explore. We understand that Schengen visa applications take a lot of time; therefore, it is recommended to contact Schengen Visa Help for any assistance and queries.
The top 10 easiest Schengen visa countries in 2025 include Iceland, Romania, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Portugal, Latvia, Italy, Switzerland, Luxembourg, and Hungary. They have the lowest rejection rates and the highest approval chances.
Countries like Iceland and Romania top the list with the highest Schengen visa approval rate that goes above 90% making them the best choice for travelers looking for high approval Schengen visa countries.
The countries include Iceland with 6.47%, Romania with 9.28%, and Slovakia with 9.98% which makes them the easiest countries to get a Schengen visa.
Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia, and Slovakia have faster visa processing within 10-15 days than European countries.
Yes. You can apply for a Schengen visa online, and our agents will contact you to schedule an appointment with the visa centre. Carry all the necessary documents to get them verified at the visa centre.
To get a Schengen visa easily, you need:
1. Visa application form completed
2. Passport-sized photo
3. Travel itinerary
4. Proof of accommodation
5. Travel medical insurance
6. Proof of financial stability
7. Visa fee payment receipt
