2024 Schengen Visa Trends: Did Moroccans and Algerians Prefer France or Spain?
France vs. Spain: Where Did Moroccans and Algerians Prefer to Apply for Schengen Visas in 2024?
Moroccans and Algerians remain among the top African nationalities applying for Schengen visas, with both groups submitting hundreds of thousands of applications in 2024. While France has historically been the preferred destination, recent data suggests that Spain is gaining popularity, especially among Moroccan nationals.
France’s Popularity Declines Among Moroccans, Spain Gains Ground
In 2024, Moroccans submitted a total of 606,800 Schengen visa applications, with France receiving 282,153, which accounts for 46.5% of all Moroccan applications. This marks a decline from 2023, when Moroccans submitted 591,401 applications, and 52.4% (310,057) of them were for France.
At the same time, Spain has seen a notable increase in Moroccan interest:
- 2023: 189,126 applications (32% of total)
- 2024: 216,985 applications (35.76% of total)
These figures indicate a growing shift toward Spain as a destination of choice for Moroccan travellers, possibly due to geographical proximity, language accessibility, or processing efficiency.
Algerians Still Prefer France, But Interest in Spain Is Dropping
For Algerians, France remains the top choice, and their interest in French visas has even grown:
- 2023: 58.86% of Algerian applications were for France
- 2024: 64.68%
In total, Algerians filed 544,634 Schengen visa applications in 2024:
- 352,295 for France (64.7%)
- 123,991 for Spain (22.7%), down from 26.9% in 2023
Although France continues to dominate, Algerians are slowly diversifying their visa applications to include other Schengen countries beyond Spain, hinting at broader travel interests.
Moroccans and Algerians Among Top Schengen Visa Applicants Globally
In 2024, Algerians and Moroccans ranked second and third globally in terms of Schengen visa applications, following Chinese nationals. They accounted for a significant portion of applications submitted to France:
- Algerians: 11.47% of all visa applications received by France
- Moroccans: 9.18%
These figures underline the continued importance of North African travellers to Schengen countries, both in terms of travel volume and economic contribution.
Conclusion
While France remains a key destination for both Moroccan and Algerian nationals, the trendlines are shifting. Moroccans are increasingly turning to Spain, and Algerians, while still favoring France, are starting to explore more diverse travel routes within the Schengen Area.
As visa policies, processing times, and diplomatic relations evolve, so too will the preferences of travellers from North Africa—making it essential for European countries to monitor and adapt to these emerging trends.
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