Croatia Becomes Key Entry Point with 42,000 Schengen Visa Requests in Year One
Croatia Receives Over 42,000 Schengen Visa Applications in First Year as Member State
In its first year as a Schengen Area member, Croatia has emerged as a significant destination for visa applicants, receiving more Schengen visa requests than nine other countries in the zone. The country began accepting visa applications in 2024, following its official entry into the Schengen Area.
Over 33,000 Visas Approved in 2024
According to official data, Croatia received 42,165 Schengen visa applications in 2024. Of those, 33,441 were approved, resulting in an approval rate of 79.3%. However, the country also recorded 8,003 rejections, placing its rejection rate at 19.3%, one of the highest in the Schengen Area for that year.
Croatia ranked as the seventh country with the highest visa rejection rate in 2024, following Denmark, Sweden, Slovenia, Belgium, Estonia, and Malta. Despite issuing a significant number of visas, Croatia’s rejection rate was well above the EU average of 14.8%.
Although Croatia processed only 0.3% of the 11.7 million total Schengen visa applications submitted across the bloc in 2024, its data suggest the country is quickly becoming an important hub for visa seekers.
Visa Approval by Nationality in 2024
Croatia granted Schengen visas to applicants from a variety of countries, with Chinese nationals leading the list:
China:
Applications: 8,125
Approved: 7,838
Approval Rate: 96.4%
South Africa:
Applications: 5,396
Approved: 4,530
Approval Rate: 83.9%
Turkey:
Applications: 4,655
Approved: 3,240
Approval Rate: ~69.6%
Indonesia:
Applications: 3,300
Approved: 3,024
Rejected: 231
Approval Rate: ~91.6%
India:
Applications: 2,315
Approved: 1,676
Rejected: 606
Approval Rate: ~72.4%
A Growing Role in the Schengen System
Although Croatia’s visa application volume remains modest compared to older Schengen members, the country’s performance in 2024 indicates its growing importance in EU mobility and border management. With continued investment in its consular infrastructure and efficient processing systems, Croatia is poised to play a larger role in managing Schengen visa traffic in the coming years.
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