Top 10 Schengen Countries with the Highest Visa Rejection Rates in 2025
Top 10 Schengen Countries with the Highest Visa Rejection Rates in 2024
In 2024, a total of 11.7 million Schengen visa applications were submitted to 28 Schengen countries, with around 1.7 million rejected—resulting in an average rejection rate of 14.8%. While the list of countries most likely to reject a visa remains largely unchanged from 2023, overall rejection rates have seen a notable rise.
Malta Leads with the Highest Rejection Rate
Malta recorded the highest rejection rate among all Schengen states in 2024. Out of 45,578 applications, Malta rejected 16,905, leading to a rejection rate of 38.5%. This figure positions Malta as the most challenging Schengen country for visa approval.
Following Malta, Estonia had a rejection rate of 27.2%, with 3,291 applications denied out of 12,125 submitted.
Belgium ranked third with 255,564 total applications and 61,724 rejections, resulting in a 24.6% rejection rate.
Other Countries with High Rejection Rates
Here’s a breakdown of the top 10 Schengen countries with the highest visa rejection rates in 2024:
- Malta
- Applications: 45,578
- Rejected: 16,905
- Rejection Rate: 38.5%
- Estonia
- Applications: 12,125
- Rejected: 3,291
- Rejection Rate: 27.2%
- Belgium
- Applications: 255,564
- Rejected: 61,724
- Rejection Rate: 24.6%
- Slovenia
- Applications: 18,171
- Rejected: 4,417
- Rejection Rate: 24.5%
- Sweden
- Applications: 188,623
- Rejected: 44,576
- Rejection Rate: 24.0%
- Denmark
- Applications: 132,158
- Rejected: 31,013
- Rejection Rate: 23.7%
- Croatia
- Applications: 42,165
- Rejected: 8,003
- Rejection Rate: 19.3%
- Poland
- Applications: 111,538
- Rejected: 19,277
- Rejection Rate: 17.2%
- France
- Applications: 3,000,000
- Rejected: 481,139
- Rejection Rate: 15.8%
- Czech Republic
- Applications: 150,629
- Rejected: 23,735
- Rejection Rate: 15.8%
Nationalities with Highest Rejection Rates
Certain nationalities were disproportionately affected by Schengen visa rejections in 2024. According to available data, applicants from Bangladesh and Pakistan faced rejection rates exceeding 62%, making them among the most likely to be denied entry.
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