Best Schengen Countries to Apply for a Visa in 2026: Approval Rate Rankings

Where you apply for a Schengen visa matters almost as much as what you submit. Based on the European Commission’s 2025 Schengen visa statistics — covering all 29 Schengen countries and over 1,800 consulates worldwide — some countries consistently approve far more applications than others. With nearly 12 million Schengen visa applications filed in 2025 and roughly 1 in 7 refused, knowing where to apply is a genuine strategic consideration.

Important note: Schengen rules require you to apply through the country where you will spend the most time, or your first point of entry if your stay is divided equally. These rankings reflect approval trends — not a guide to bypassing Schengen rules.

Best Schengen Countries by Visa Approval Rate (2025 Data)

Country-by-Country Breakdown

Slovakia — 9.63% Refusal Rate (Lowest in Europe)

Slovakia refuses fewer than 1 in 10 Schengen visa applicants — the lowest refusal rate in the entire Schengen bloc. While its consulate network is smaller than major EU economies, its approval consistency is unmatched. As a destination, Slovakia is underrated: Bratislava is less than an hour from Vienna, with easy access to Prague and Budapest, and the High Tatras offer some of Central Europe’s finest mountain scenery.

Italy — 11.33% Refusal Rate (Best Large-Country Option)

Italy combines high volume with a low refusal rate — a genuinely rare combination. Over one million applications were processed in 2025, yet the refusal rate held at just 11.33%. Italy also issues a high share of Multiple-Entry Visas (MEVs), offering approved travellers greater flexibility for future European trips. Its extensive consulate network across Africa, South Asia, and the Middle East makes it one of the most practically accessible Schengen options for international applicants.

Austria — 11.90% Refusal Rate (Quietly One of the Best)

Austria rarely draws the same visa conversation as Germany or Italy, but with over 250,000 applications processed and a refusal rate under 12%, it consistently ranks among the bloc’s top performers. It also offers excellent onward connectivity to neighbouring Central European destinations.

Switzerland — 12.49% Refusal Rate (High Volume, Reliable Approval)

Switzerland processed over 619,000 applications in 2025 — including more than 226,000 from India alone — while keeping its refusal rate below 13%. Swiss visa processing is widely regarded as efficient, and documentation requirements are considered straightforward for applicants who meet the eligibility criteria.

Hungary — 12.97% Refusal Rate (Underrated Choice)

Hungary consistently flies under the radar despite strong approval rates. Over 265,000 applications were processed in 2025 with a refusal rate well below the bloc average. For travellers with genuine plans to visit Budapest or Central Europe, Hungary is a solid and often overlooked option.

Germany — 13.08% Refusal Rate (MEV Leader)

Germany processed nearly 1.5 million Schengen visa applications in 2025 — the second-highest volume in the bloc — while maintaining a refusal rate of just over 13%. Where Germany truly stands out is multiple-entry visas: approximately 89% of all visas issued by Germany in 2025 were multiple-entry permits, making it the bloc’s undisputed leader for travel flexibility.

Countries With the Highest Schengen Visa Refusal Rates

Malta’s 38.37% refusal rate is the highest of any Schengen country — nearly four times higher than Slovakia’s. The bloc-wide average refusal rate in 2025 was 14.78%.

How Nationality Affects Your Approval Odds

Approval rates vary dramatically by applicant nationality — sometimes more than by the country applied through.

Nationalities with the lowest Schengen refusal rates:

• Belarus: 2.33%
• Hong Kong SAR: 2.77%
• Australia: 3.01%
• China: 4.12%
• United States: 4.95%

Nationalities with the highest refusal rates (among applicant groups with 1,000+ applications):

• Bangladesh: 54.54%
• Senegal: 51.85%
• Nigeria: 47.94%
• Pakistan: 45.88%
• Algeria: 30.98%

For applicants from West Africa and South Asia, refusal rates remain steep regardless of which Schengen country is applied through — underscoring that strong documentation and clear travel intent remain the most critical factors.

Which Countries Issue the Most Multiple-Entry Visas?

Germany leads on multiple-entry visas by a significant margin. Italy, however, offers the most balanced combination — a low refusal rate paired with a high MEV share — making it arguably the strongest all-round choice for most international applicants.

Key Takeaways

• Slovakia has the lowest refusal rate at 9.63% but a limited consulate network — best if you are genuinely planning to visit
• Italy is the strongest overall choice: low refusal rate, high MEV share, and a wide global consulate network
• Germany is the best option if you want a multiple-entry visa — 89% of its approvals are MEVs
• Malta has the worst refusal rate in the Schengen Area at 38.37%
• Nationality affects your odds as much as country choice — applicants from the US, Australia, and China face near-certain approvals; applicants from Nigeria, Bangladesh, and Pakistan face much steeper odds across most Schengen countries

Conclusion

Schengen visa approval rates tell an important story — but they are most useful when combined with a strong application. Choosing the right country can improve your odds, but accurate documentation, clear travel intent, and solid financial evidence remain the foundation of any successful Schengen visa application. Use these approval rate rankings to inform your approach, not to replace it.