Planning a trip to Europe at the end of 2025 or organising your first journey of 2026? Understanding where Schengen visa applications are most often approved can help you prepare strategically and avoid unnecessary refusals.
Countries with the highest approval rates
While the official 2025 figures are not yet available, data from 2024 shows clear patterns. Several consulates remain particularly applicant-friendly. The top performers include:
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Iceland — 91.25%
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Slovakia — 89.25%
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Italy — 88.72%
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Romania — 88.36%
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Switzerland — 88.12%
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Hungary — 87.23%
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Norway — 87.20%
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Greece — 85.86%
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Austria — 85.78%
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Luxembourg — 85.65%
By comparison, the Schengen-wide average is roughly 52%.
Should you apply where the approval rate is highest?
Many travellers attempt to submit their application to the “easiest” consulate. However, this violates Schengen rules. You must apply:
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to the country you genuinely plan to visit;
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or the one where you will spend the most nights;
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or, in case of equal duration, the country of first entry.
Submitting to the wrong consulate can lead to a refusal and may affect future applications.
Countries where approval rates declined
Germany, Poland, Latvia and Lithuania recorded lower approval levels compared with the previous year — largely due to a higher number of applicants and national policy adjustments.
Visa demand continues to grow
In 2024, Schengen countries received more than 11.7 million applications, and the trend remains upward in 2025. Longer processing times and stricter checks are increasingly common.
Does nationality matter?
Yes. Approval rates vary significantly by citizenship. In 2024, the highest success rates were recorded among applicants from:
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Liberia — 97.6%
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Vanuatu — 95.79%
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Zambia — 88.87%
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Botswana — 83.10%
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Niger — 78.86%
The lowest approval rates were observed in Guinea-Bissau, Haiti and Tajikistan.
How to increase your chances of approval
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Apply early — ideally 4–6 weeks in advance.
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Match your itinerary — bookings must reflect your travel route.
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Prepare complete documents — finances, trip purpose, insurance.
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Add a cover letter explaining your plans and return intentions.
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Avoid peak periods — November and December face heavy demand.
What will change in 2026
The EU is preparing to roll out a unified digital visa application platform. The system is expected to streamline submissions, reduce processing times and eventually become standard across most Schengen states from 2026.