Top 5 Schengen Countries With the Highest Number of Short-Term Visa Applications in 2023
Yet, data by Schengen Visa Statistics show that the number of applications still remains below 39 per cent the pre-pandemic levels, when in 2019 alone 16,955,541 applications were filed.
In spite of the year-on-year increase, and numbers remaining lower than pre-COVID, one thing has not changed almost at all – the top favourite countries of applicants to apply for a Schengen visa at, AtoZSerwisPlus reports.
In 2023, five Schengen Area Member States received together 7.2 million applications together, accounting for around 70 per cent of the total. These countries and the number of visas they received in the same year are:
- France – 2,625,846
- Germany – 1,459,560
- Spain – 1,413,222
- Italy – 1,108,035
- Netherlands – 669,291
In fact, for years now, France and Germany have usually occupied the two first positions in this list, while Italy and Spain have each occupied one of the following three. Instead of the Netherlands, in 2022, Greece was listed fifth.
France Remains the Number 1 Country for Schengen Visa Applications for Another Year in a Row
Since the EU started keeping track of Schengen visa applications received by the Member States altogether, France has always been the number one country for the highest number of applications filed worldwide, accounting for at least one-fifth of them.
According to Behar Sadiku from AtoZSerwisPlus, the drop in the number of visa applications filed in Russia and China over the past year at the French visa centres in these two countries has not threatened France’s first position in this list, further explaining why.
Data by Schengen Visa Statistics show that Morocco was the number one source of visa applications for France in 2023, with 310,057 applications filed, followed by Algeria with 279,005 applications.
The top five list for France further consisted of China with 271,111 applications, India with 176,237, and Saudi Arabia with 145,096.
Germany Back to the 2nd Position After Being Listed 3rd in 2022
In 2022, Germany dropped into the third position, after it was replaced by Spain. According to Dion Pllana from AtoZSerwisPlus, this change in positions happened due to the visa restrictions imposed by Germany on Russian citizens.
In 2023, however, Germany came back to the second position with 1,459,560 visa applications received. The top five source countries of Schengen visa applications for Germany in the same year were Türkiye with 253,462, China – 160,479, India – 132,825, Belarus – 52,301, and Egypt – 46,991.
Spain, Italy Remain Part of the Top 5 With Over 2.5 Million Visa Applications Together
Spain and Italy remain two Schengen countries that continuously spark a high interest amongst Schengen visa applicants worldwide, mainly for vacationers who want to spend their holidays tanning it their beaches, or visiting one of their hundreds of castles, old towns, and other tourism attractions.
In 2023, the top source countries for applications for Spanish short-term visas were Morocco (189,126), China (148,533), Algeria (127,534), Russia (116,384), India (91,863). In total, Spain received 1,413,222.
In 2019, on the other hand, the top source countries for Spain were also the same ones, though in a different order, with Russia alone topping the table with 568,681 applications.
Fourth in the list of top countries receiving the most Schengen visa applications is Italy, with 1,108,035 visas received in 2023. The largest share of applications, 506,038 of them, were filed in the following five countries:
- China – 143,648
- Russia – 143,517
- Türkiye – 125,428
- India – 52,332
- Saudi Arabia – 41,113
Amongst them, India had the highest rejection rate at 14.2 per cent, followed by Türkiye with 8.7 per cent. The overall visa rejection rate for Italy in 2023 was 12 per cent, with the majority of the Schengen countries having quite a higher rejection rate.
Netherlands Becomes Part of the Top 5 for the First Time in Years
While recording a much lower number of visas than the country in the prior position, the Netherlands is still listed as the fifth most desired Schengen destination by visa applicants.
The Dutch visa centers worldwide received a total of 669,291 applications in 2023, with 93,870 of them being filed in Türkiye. Another 83,556 were submitted in India, while in Indonesia the Dutch authorities marked 52,276. The top five consists of China and the Philippines with 50,983 and 45,224, respectively.
In 2019, before the COVID outbreak, the Netherlands had received 739,248 applications, and was listed eighth, with a rejection rate of 13.1 per cent, one of the highest amongst all the Member States. In 2023, the country marked an even higher denial rate at 17.3 per cent, with only a few other countries like Belgium and Sweden having a higher one.
About AtoZ Serwis Plus
AtoZ Serwis Plus is a reputable and well-known B2C immigration agency that has been providing specialised immigration services since 2009. With company registration offices in Poland, Portugal, Malta, Germany, and Romania and partner offices in various countries worldwide, it offers individualised immigration services to clients globally.
Supported by Polish attorneys and with company registration numbers Regon: 382604058, NIP: 5252780856, and KRS: 0000770916, AtoZ Serwis Plus Sp. z o.o. is a Polish Overseas Career Consultant and is considered one of the largest B2C immigration firms in Europe. It works closely with regulated and licensed immigration lawyers in its offices in Poland and Portugal.
AtoZ Serwis Plus has extensive experience managing international recruitment projects and specialises in providing staffing services. They assist individuals from countries such as Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, Russia, Georgia, Armenia, Bangladesh, Nepal, India, and others in finding employment opportunities in Serbia, Croatia, Romania, Poland, Malta, Portugal, Germany, and other European countries.
Their services cater to individuals seeking professional growth and those looking to relocate permanently to Europe. AtoZ Serwis Plus charges reasonable fees for its services and offers flexible payment options.
Overall, AtoZ Serwis Plus aims to provide high-value immigration services, leveraging their expertise, international network, and partnerships to assist clients in achieving their career goals abroad.
For the Employer
Would you happen to need new employees? Our Immigration agency can assist you in finding the best candidates from various countries, including:
- CIS: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan.
- Southeast Asia: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Vietnam.
- Middle East: Bahrain, Kuwait, Iraq, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates
- Africa: Nigeria, Algeria, Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Egypt, Ghana, Morocco, Sierra Leone, Togo, Tunisia.
- EU and EEA: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Republic of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden.
We take a personalised approach to each of our clients and ensure that we understand your specific needs and requirements for candidates before deciding on the cost of our services. It's a critical step in the recruitment process, and we ask that you fill in all the fields as thoroughly as possible to help us and the job applicants.
Are you looking to Hire? Let us help you find the perfect candidates!
Step 1: Fill out the employer's questionnaire. Please provide us with the necessary details about your job requirements and company. We'll use this information to customise our services for you. Fill in the form.
Step 2: Choose the best offer. Once we receive your completed questionnaire, we'll prepare a tailored proposal for recruitment, employee leasing, or outsourcing services.
Step 3: Welcome your new employee. We'll utilise our extensive network and resources to find the ideal candidate for your business. Please don't worry; we'll ensure favourable conditions for you and the employee.
Take advantage of exceptional talent for your company. Complete the employer's questionnaire today, and let us handle your hiring needs.
For Job Seeker Registration
If you'd like to find work opportunities in Europe, please complete the application form on our website. Once you have filled out all the necessary details, our team at AtoZ Serwis Plus will look over your application and contact you to give you more information. Don't hesitate to fill out the form and take the first step towards your new job. Fill in the form.
Would you like some advice? So that you know, the information I've included here is for you to review. You'll always need to consult with your legal and tax advisor(s) and follow their guidance. AtoZ Serwis Plus cannot assist with legal or tax matters. The information presented is not specific to any particular company or workforce nor reflects how AtoZ Serwis Plus products are distributed in any jurisdiction. Instead, it is general. AtoZ Serwis Plus makes no representations or warranties regarding this information's accuracy, completeness, or timeliness. It shall not be liable for any losses from using or relying on it. Please be careful when using this information.
Disclaimer: atozserwisplus.com is a FREE visa database and marketplace for immigration experts. This page's content does not provide legal advice. Before applying, kindly consult an expert.
