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Applying for a Schengen visa can feel intimidating, especially if you are applying for the first time. The rejection rate in some countries can be high, but the good news is that certain Schengen countries are much easier to get a visa from.
According to the 2024 Schengen visa approval statistics published by SchengenVisaInfo and reported by Schengen.News, Iceland once again tops the list of countries with the highest approval rates, making it one of the easiest countries to get a Schengen visa from.
This detailed guide will cover:
The easiest Schengen countries to get a visa from in 2024
Countries with the highest approval rates for applicants
Important tips to improve your chances of approval
Read More about Schengen Visa: Schengen Visa Types Explained
A Schengen visa allows travelers to visit any of the 29 countries in the Schengen Area with a single visa. These countries have abolished border checks between them, making travel seamless.
Key features of a Schengen visa:
Valid for short stays up to 90 days in a 180-day period.
Can be issued for tourism, business, family visits, and more.
Allows travel across multiple European countries without separate visas.
However, approval is not guaranteed — the overall Schengen visa approval rate in 2024 was 52.20%, meaning almost half of the applications were rejected. That’s why knowing which countries have the highest approval rates is crucial.
For a step-by-step application guide, check: How to Apply for Schengen Visa in 2025.
To Apply Schengen Visa – Contact Us
Here are the most important insights from the 2024 data:
Iceland had the highest approval rate — over 91% of applications were approved.
Slovakia and Italy followed closely with approval rates of nearly 89%.
Certain African and Pacific island nations had exceptionally high approval percentages.
Some countries had small applicant numbers but very high success rates.
Full List of Schengen Visa Countries
If your goal is to maximize your chances of getting approved, applying through these countries could work in your favor.
|
Rank |
Country |
Approval Rate (2024) |
|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Iceland |
91.25% |
|
2 |
Slovakia |
89.25% |
|
3 |
Italy |
88.72% |
|
4 |
Romania |
88.36% |
|
5 |
Switzerland |
88.12% |
|
6 |
Hungary |
87.23% |
|
7 |
Norway |
87.20% |
|
8 |
Greece |
85.86% |
|
9 |
Austria |
85.78% |
|
10 |
Luxembourg |
85.65% |
Approval rate: 91.25% in 2024
Received 35,416 applications, up from 22,541 in 2023 — a 57.1% increase.
Slight drop from 2023’s approval rate of 94.26%, but still the highest among all Schengen states.
Approval rate: 89.25%
Known for straightforward visa processing and fewer application backlogs.
Approval rate: 88.72%
Popular with tourists, students, and family visitors.
Approval rate: 88.36%
Romania joined the Schengen Area in 2024 (air and sea borders first), and data shows they are welcoming to travelers.
Interestingly, some nationalities had extremely high approval rates — often because they had a small number of applicants.
|
Rank |
Nationality |
Approval Rate |
Applications Filed |
|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Liberia |
97.6% |
125 |
|
2 |
Vanuatu |
95.79% |
261 |
|
3 |
Botswana |
83.10% |
1,633 |
|
4 |
Zambia |
88.87% |
2,750 |
|
5 |
Niger |
78.86% |
2,460 |
|
6 |
Tajikistan |
60.54% |
4,019 |
|
7 |
Burundi |
58.63% |
3,735 |
|
8 |
Haiti |
52.02% |
4,614 |
|
9 |
Guinea-Bissau |
43.84% |
4,336 |
|
10 |
Comoros |
36.35% |
2,853 |
Several factors contribute to Iceland’s high Schengen visa approval rates:
Low fraud rates compared to other Schengen states.
Strong tourism industry dependent on international visitors.
Efficient processing systems with fewer political complications.
Willingness to approve short-stay tourism applications.
Regardless of the country you apply to, following these steps can boost your chances:
Apply to High-Approval Countries
If possible, plan your itinerary to apply through Iceland, Slovakia, or Italy.
Submit a Complete Application
Missing documents are one of the biggest rejection reasons.
Provide Strong Proof of Ties to Home Country
Show that you will return after your trip (job letters, property ownership, family ties).
Demonstrate Financial Stability
Bank statements should show enough funds to cover your stay.
Book Refundable Travel & Accommodation
This shows seriousness without risking large non-refundable expenses.
List of Easiest Schengen visa countries – Easiest Schengen Visa Countries
Even in high-approval countries, there are common reasons of rejections it can happen if:
Documents are incomplete or inconsistent.
Purpose of travel is unclear.
Financial proof is insufficient.
Applicant has overstayed visas before.
Overall approval rate in 2024: 52.20%
Slight decline compared to some previous years.
Iceland, Italy, and Slovakia remain consistent top performers.
Some new Schengen states like Romania entered the top list quickly.
If you are planning a trip to Europe, choosing the right embassy to apply to can make a huge difference. For example:
Applying through Iceland gives you nearly double the approval chance compared to the Schengen average.
Applying through low-approval embassies can waste time, money, and effort.
The easiest Schengen visa countries in 2024 are Iceland, Slovakia, and Italy, with approval rates above 88%. Applicants from countries like Liberia, Vanuatu, and Botswana enjoyed the highest success rates.
For travelers, the smart strategy is to:
Apply through a country with a high approval rate.
Ensure all documents are correct and complete.
Show proof of strong ties to your home country.
By making informed choices, you can significantly improve your chances of securing that much-desired Schengen visa.
Q1: Which country has the highest Schengen visa approval rate in 2024?
Iceland, with a 91.25% approval rate.
Q2: Does applying through a high-approval country guarantee success?
No, but it increases your chances if you meet all requirements.
Q3: Which nationalities are most likely to get approved?
Liberia, Vanuatu, and Botswana had the highest approval percentages in 2024.
Q4: How can I increase my chances of Schengen visa approval?
Apply through a high-approval country, submit complete documents, and show strong home-country ties.
Q5: Is Romania now part of the Schengen Area?
Yes, Romania joined Schengen in 2024 for air and sea borders, and will join land borders later.
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