The Schengen Area saw a significant increase in visa demand this year, with a total of 11,716,723 Schengen visa applications filed across visa centres of the Schengen Member States in 2024. This marks a 13.5% increase compared to 2023, when 10.3 million applications were submitted.
The figures, released on Sunday, May 18, indicate continued recovery in global mobility and tourism, though experts caution that the total remains well below pre-pandemic levels.
Top Countries of Origin: China, India, and Türkiye Lead Again
The three leading source countries for Schengen visa applications remain unchanged, with China, India, and Türkiye accounting for the largest volumes of submissions.
Notably, Russia, which prior to recent geopolitical tensions had historically been the largest source of Schengen visa applications, ranks fifth again this year, following Morocco.
Commenting on the latest trends, Besart Bajrami, founder of SchengenVisaInfo.com, emphasized that while the year-on-year growth is encouraging, the total number of applications is still far from pre-COVID levels.
France Tops List of Most Popular Schengen Destinations in 2024
When it comes to destination preferences among Schengen visa applicants, France once again leads the list, cementing its position as the most sought-after country in the Schengen Area. In 2024, French consulates and visa centers worldwide received 3,072,728 applications, representing more than a quarter of the global total.
Of these, 2,549,735 visas were approved, resulting in a rejection rate of 15.8%, which is above the Schengen average.
Top Applicant Nationalities for France
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Algeria: 352,295 applications
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Morocco: 282,153 applications
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India: 197,959 applications
These figures highlight the strong demand for travel to France from North Africa and South Asia, driven by tourism, family visits, education, and business travel.
Spain Surpasses Germany to Become Second-Most Popular Schengen Destination
In a notable shift, Spain has overtaken Germany to become the second-most popular destination for Schengen visa applicants. Spain received approximately 1.6 million applications in 2024, compared to Germany’s 1.5 million.
Despite the increase in demand, Spain’s rejection rate was relatively high at 15.7%, comparable to that of France. Germany, which for years alternated between the top two spots, had a rejection rate of 13.7%—slightly below the average for the zone.
Top Applicant Nationalities for Spain and Germany
Both countries saw Chinese nationals as their largest applicant group:
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Spain: 254,571 applications from China
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Germany: 263,088 applications from China
This underscores China’s continued prominence as a key travel market for Europe, especially as outbound travel resumes post-pandemic.
Rejection Rates: Above-Average for Leading Destinations
Visa approval trends reveal that France and Spain are among the Schengen countries with the highest rejection rates, both above the zone-wide average. While these figures reflect strict entry requirements, they also suggest challenges for applicants in meeting documentation and eligibility standards.
| Country | Applications (2024) | Approval Rate | Rejection Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| France | 3,072,728 | 83.0% | 15.8% |
| Spain | 1.6 million | ~84.3% | 15.7% |
| Germany | 1.5 million | ~86.3% | 13.7% |
Looking Ahead: Room for Growth Amid Rising Demand
As travel demand continues to rise globally, Schengen countries are likely to face pressure to scale up processing capacity and streamline application procedures. However, recovery to pre-pandemic visa volumes may still take time, depending on evolving international mobility trends and geopolitical developments.
With over 11.7 million visa applications already filed in 2024, the Schengen Area is witnessing strong renewed interest in travel, tourism, business, and cross-border mobility. Countries like France, Spain, and Germany remain at the heart of this trend, drawing millions of hopeful travelers each year.
