Exciting news for travellers! Recent research has unveiled the European countries that have been most generous in granting Schengen visas, and this informative list could be the secret to identifying the destination with the most accessible Schengen visa process.
France takes the lead, issuing over three crore visas, followed by Germany in second place with over two crore, and Italy in third, granting almost two crore visas.
The Schengen visa is the gateway to Europe, offering the freedom to travel within the Schengen Zone without the need for separate visas for each country. However, this visa has gained a reputation for being challenging to obtain, with many eager travellers experiencing delays and rejections. If you plan a trip to Europe, understanding the countries that issue the maximum number of Schengen visas can prove invaluable.
Top ten European countries issuing the most Schengen visas
According to Schengen Statistics reported by SchengenVisaInfo, covering the period from 2009 to 2022 and accounting for visas granted to foreign applicants, the top three countries on the list are among Europe’s most beloved destinations. Here is the list of countries and the number of visas they have issued:
- France: 3,02,53,370
- Germany: 2,09,41, 303
- Italy: 1,93,59,244
- Spain: 1,74,42,568
- Finland: 1,12,34,436
- Greece: 1,09,58,014
- Poland: 93,78,827
- Czech Republic: 65,05,592
- Netherlands: 56,66,488
- Switzerland: 52,59,842
Over these 13 years, France accounted for 23.9 percent of all visas issued on the list, maintaining its lead. Germany secured the second position, trailing by one crore visas. Although Germany held the top spot in 2009, France has maintained its lead since 2010.
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The highest number of visas granted by European countries occurred before the pandemic, from 2017 to 2019, with a total of 3.51 crore visas issued during those three years. France contributed 27.8 percent of these visas. In contrast, the pandemic years, 2020 and 2021, recorded the lowest number of visas ever issued, totalling 38 lakhs.
(Feature image credit: Shutterstock)
Related: Your European Summer Vacation Is Possible Even Without A Schengen Visa: Here’s How
Written By
Priyaja Bakshi
Priyaja took her love for reading to the next level by majoring in English and minoring in Journalism at Lady Shri Ram College For Women (DU). She is extremely curious about the world and wishes to visit all the countries once in her life. She identifies as a foodie and loves to spend her free time exploring different cuisine and curating new dishes. ..Read More
