For the summer of 2024, the easiest Schengen visas to obtain are issued by Iceland, Switzerland, Latvia, and Italy, as these countries have lower rejection rates. Conversely, Malta, Estonia, and Belgium have some of the highest rejection rates for Schengen visas, making them the world’s worst countries to apply for these visas.

Since summer in Europe can extend beyond August and last until October, it’s wise to plan ahead. According to Schengen Visa Statistics, visa rejection rates vary by country. Applying to countries with lower rejection rates can improve an applicant’s chances of success.

To increase the likelihood of a successful application, it is advisable to apply for a visa at the visa centres of countries with lower rejection rates. Once granted, a Schengen visa allows travel across Schengen member states, provided that the country issuing the visa is the primary destination.

Applicants seeking a Schengen visa this summer should be mindful of the increased rejection rates in specific countries. Malta leads with a rejection rate of 37.6% in 2023, followed by Estonia at 33.1% and Belgium at 26.5%.

Sweden and Croatia also have relatively high rejection rates, standing at 23.1% and 20% respectively. The average rejection rate across all member states in 2023 stood at 54.2%.

As per the data, Germany remains your best option for obtaining a multiple-entry Schengen visa in 2024. The introduction of new migration measures by Germany will enable Romania’s full accession to the Schengen area.

To avoid visa denial due to travel insurance issues, it is crucial to choose the right Schengen travel insurance policy. Some common mistakes travellers make during the visa application process should be avoided to prevent rejection.

By mid-2025, about 1.4 billion people will have to apply for an ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) before travelling to the EU. The EU is also working on an ETIAS mobile app to simplify the application process, which is expected to launch by mid-2025.

To ensure that you get a Schengen visa easily, here is a list of 10 countries with the highest approval rates for Schengen visas, which will provide useful insights for prospective applicants.

Iceland: 2.2% rejection rate

Switzerland: 10.7%

Latvia: 11:7%

Italy: 12%

Luxembourg: 12.7%

Lithuania: 12.8%

Slovakia: 12.9%

Germany: 14.3%

Austria: 14.3%

Greece: 14.7%