Difficult Schengen Visas: 10 Countries with High Visa Rejection

Wondering what are the most difficult Schengen visas to obtain? The European Commission has published new Schengen visa statistics. Portugal, Malta, and Belgium are the top Schengen countries that are responsible for the most rejections.

Navigating the Schengen visa application process may seem daunting. However, armed with the right documents and knowledge of how to complete them accurately, you can proceed with confidence, regardless of the embassy you approach.

While it’s true that certain Schengen countries have higher rejection rates than others, it doesn’t mean securing a visa from these embassies is impossible. Even with difficult Schengen visas, careful preparation and adherence to embassy requirements can still lead to approval.

To help you navigate this landscape, here are our top 10 Schengen countries with the highest visa rejection rate. 

1. Portugal

Portugal maintains its position at the top of the list, with a refusal rate of 30%, granting successful visas to only 70% of applicants.

2. Malta

With a rejection rate of 27.8%, Malta made obtaining a Schengen visa challenging for some applicants. This means that only 72.2% received positive responses.

3. Belgium

Belgium, known for its high rejection rates, declined 23.6% of applications while approving visas for 76.4% of travelers.

4. Sweden

Sweden saw a rejection rate of 23%, meaning that only 77% of applicants successfully obtained Schengen visas.

5. France

France maintains its position as the most sought-after destination for Schengen Visa applicants. Nevertheless, it has a high rejection rate of 18.5%.

6. Spain

Spain turned down 17.4% of applications, leaving 82.6% with approved visas to the Schengen Area.

7. Netherlands

The Netherlands saw a rejection rate of 16.8%, with 83.2% of applicants securing Schengen Visas.

8. Norway

Norway posed challenges for Schengen Visa applicants with a 16.2% refusal rate. Yet, 83.8% were successful.

9. Slovenia

Slovenia had a rejection rate of 14.8%, granting visas to 85.2% of applicants.

10. Germany

Germany, despite being a popular destination, rejected 14.1% of applications. This means that only 85.9% of Schengen Visa applications have been approved.