Schengen Visa Approval Rate Reaches 52.20% in 2024, Favoring Travelers
According to data published by SchengenVisaInfo and reported by Schengen.News, the Schengen visa approval rate of 52.20% in 2024 marks a slight favorable trend for travelers seeking access to the Schengen area.
Iceland stands out once again as the most accommodating country, approving 91.25% of received applications this year. Although slightly lower than 2023's 94.26%, this figure remains impressive, especially considering the significant increase in the number of files: 35,416 applications submitted in 2024 compared to 22,541 in 2023, representing a 57.1% increase.
Behind Iceland, other countries display high approval rates, reinforcing their attractiveness for Schengen visa applicants this summer. The ranking of the top 10 most "welcoming" countries for Schengen visa applications in 2024 is as follows:
- Iceland: 91.25%
- Slovakia: 89.25%
- Italy: 88.72%
- Romania: 88.36%
- Switzerland: 88.12%
- Hungary: 87.23%
- Norway: 87.20%
- Greece: 85.86%
- Austria: 85.78%
- Luxembourg: 85.65%
In comparison, the top 10 countries with the highest approval rates in 2023 also included Latvia, Poland, and Germany, which have disappeared from this year's ranking.
The statistics also reveal interesting trends regarding the applicants' nationalities. In 2024, nationals from African countries have shown particularly high approval rates, especially those with a reduced number of applications. At the top, Liberia boasts an impressive acceptance rate of 97.6% (122 visas granted out of 125 applications). Followed by Vanuatu (95.79%), Botswana (83.10%), Niger (78.86%), and Zambia (88.87%).
On the other hand, some countries display lower approval rates: Comoros (36.35%), Guinea-Bissau (43.84%), or Haiti (52.02%).
These data confirm the importance of choosing the right destination when submitting a Schengen visa application. By targeting countries like Iceland or Slovakia, applicants maximize their chances of success. However, the volume of applications and the specificities of each consulate remain determining factors in the process of obtaining the precious visa.
