Schengen Visa Rejection Rates in Country-Wise List

If you’re planning a trip to Europe soon, one of the most important things you’ll need is a Schengen visa. This visa allows you to travel across many European countries without needing separate visas for each one. However, getting this visa isn’t always easy. Recent data from the European Commission shows that some countries reject a large number of visa applications, making it difficult for many travelers to get approved.

In 2024, more than 11.7 million people applied for Schengen visas. Out of these, around 14.8% were rejected. That means nearly 1 in every 7 people did not get their visa approved.

To increase your chances of getting a Schengen visa, it’s a smart idea to avoid applying through countries that have the highest rejection rates.

If you’re planning to travel to Europe, always check the latest visa rejection data before applying. Choose countries with lower rejection rates to improve your chances. Also, consider exploring visa-free countries if you want a smoother travel experience.

Traveling should be fun, not stressful — and being informed is the first step to a successful trip!

Countries with the Highest Schengen Visa Rejection Rates

Here is a list of countries that had the highest rejection rates for Schengen visa applications:

Country	Rejection Rate	Applications	Rejected Applications
Malta	38.5%	45,578	16,905
Estonia	27.2%	12,125	3,291
Belgium	24.6%	255,564	61,724
Slovenia	24.5%	18,171	4,417
Sweden	24.0%	188,623	44,576
Denmark	23.7%	132,158	31,013
Croatia	19.3%	42,165	8,003
Poland	17.2%	111,538	19,277
France	15.8%	3,072,728	481,139
Czech Republic	15.8%	150,629	23,735

Among all these countries, Malta had the highest rejection rate at 38.5%, which means nearly 4 out of every 10 applicants were not granted a visa.

Important Update from Germany

Germany has made an important change in its visa process. It has brought back its remonstration procedure, which means if your visa is rejected, you cannot appeal or reapply immediately. This has made things more difficult for many travelers, and as a result, some people are now choosing to visit other countries outside the Schengen area.

Other Key Information About Visa Rejections

• India: In 2024, Indian citizens faced a 15% rejection rate, with around 165,000 applications denied. This caused a huge financial loss of about ₹1.36 billion, since visa fees are non-refundable.
• Nigeria: This African country had one of the highest rejection rates at 45.9%. Many Nigerians are finding it very hard to get Schengen visas approved.
• Germany: Out of 1.5 million visa applications, about 206,733 were rejected. This gives Germany a 13.7% rejection rate.

For Pakistani travelers, getting a visa for Europe or other developed countries can sometimes be challenging. However, there is good news. Pakistani passport holders can travel to over 32 countries without a visa or by getting a visa on arrival.

These visa-free countries offer a great chance for Pakistanis to explore the world without going through long visa processes. According to international citizenship and residency data, these destinations are becoming increasingly popular for hassle-free travel.

READ MORE: Where Can Pakistanis Travel Without a Visa? Full List 2025