The easiest Schengen countries to get a visa in 2024 offer a promising chance for travelers. This year, the overall approval rate for Schengen visas reached 52.20 percent, meaning more than half of all visa applications were accepted by Schengen states.
According to reports, Iceland tops the list once again with an impressive 91.25 percent approval rate for visa applications filed in 2024, as reported.
Visa Approval Trends for 2024 Compared to 2023
In 2023, Iceland had an even higher approval rate of 94.26 percent. However, the number of visa applications was lower. This year, Iceland received 35,416 applications, which is a 57.1 percent increase compared to 22,541 applications in 2023. Despite the rise in applications, Iceland still leads as the easiest Schengen country to get a visa this summer.
These Schengen Countries Had the Highest Approval Rates for Visas in 2024
Besides Iceland, several other countries recorded high visa approval rates in 2024. These countries are excellent options for travelers applying for a Schengen visa this summer. The top 10 easiest Schengen countries to get a visa based on 2024 approval rates are:
Iceland – 91.25 percent approval rate
Slovakia – 89.25 percent approval rate
Italy – 88.72 percent approval rate
Romania – 88.36 percent approval rate
Switzerland – 88.12 percent approval rate
Hungary – 87.23 percent approval rate
Norway – 87.20 percent approval rate
Greece – 85.86 percent approval rate
Austria – 85.78 percent approval rate
Luxembourg – 85.65 percent approval rate
In 2023, the highest approval rates belonged to Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Slovakia, Lithuania, Hungary, Poland, Austria, Germany, and Switzerland.
Applicants From These Third Countries Were More Likely to Obtain a Schengen Visa in 2024
Visa approval rates vary not only by country issuing the visa but also by the nationality of the applicant. In 2024, applicants from certain third countries had notably higher chances of visa approval. Most of these nationalities come from African countries or small island nations, where fewer applications tend to result in higher approval percentages.
The top third country applicants with the highest Schengen visa approval rates in 2024 include:
Liberia – 97.6 percent approval
Vanuatu – 95.79 percent approval
Botswana – 83.10 percent approval
Niger – 78.86 percent approval
Zambia – 88.87 percent approval
Comoros – 36.35 percent approval
Burundi – 58.63 percent approval
Tajikistan – 60.54 percent approval
Guinea-Bissau – 43.84 percent approval
Haiti – 52.02 percent approval
For example, Vanuatu received 261 applications with 250 approved. Botswana had 1,633 applications with 1,357 granted. Niger had 2,460 applications with 1,940 approved. Zambia followed with 2,750 applications and 2,444 approvals.
Other countries like Comoros, Burundi, Tajikistan, Guinea-Bissau, and Haiti also had significant numbers of applications with varying approval rates.
