Top Countries That Issued the Most Schengen Visas to Russians in 2024
Top 5 Schengen Countries That Issued the Most Visas to Russian Nationals in 2024
Despite ongoing sanctions related to the war in Ukraine and multiple visa restrictions imposed by several Schengen states, Russian nationals filed over 600,000 Schengen visa applications in 2024. Specifically, 606,594 applications were submitted, resulting in 541,839 approved visas, according to official statistics.
This high volume of applications is notable, considering that many Schengen countries have either suspended visa issuance to Russian citizens or refused to accept applications altogether.
? Countries That Issued the Most Schengen Visas to Russians in 2024
The top five countries that issued the highest number of Schengen visas to Russian applicants are also among the bloc’s most frequent recipients of visa applications:
- ?? Italy – 152,254 visas approved
- Applications: 161,401
- Approval rate: 94.3%
- Italy issued the most visas to Russians for the second consecutive year.
- ?? France – 123,890 visas approved
- Applications: 134,885
- Approval rate: 71.1%
- France remains the top recipient country for overall Schengen visa applications.
- ?? Spain – 111,187 visas approved
- Previously one of the top visa-approving countries for Russians from 2020 to 2022.
- ?? Greece – 59,703 visas approved
- Applications: 69,690
- Rejections: 8,688
- Once the top destination for Russian visa applicants in prior years.
- ?? Hungary – 23,382 visas approved
- Applications: 25,651
- Approval rate: approximately 91.2%
Notably, Poland had one of the highest approval rates in 2024, granting 251 out of 254 applications—a success rate of 98.82%, although total volume was significantly lower than the top five.
✍️ Conclusion
Despite geopolitical tensions and visa policy restrictions, Russian citizens continue to seek travel access to Europe, with Italy, France, and Spain leading in visa approvals. These countries remain relatively more open to processing Russian applications, reflecting both high application volumes and strong approval rates.
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