Countries With the Biggest Changes in Schengen Visa Application Rankings in 2024

Countries With the Biggest Changes in Schengen Visa Application Rankings in 2024

 

Key Takeaways

  1. Schengen member states received 11.7 million visa applications in 2024, a 13.5% increase from the previous year.

  2. The biggest upward shifts in visa application rankings came from France and Sweden (due to foreign residents), along with three other countries.

  3. Kosovo recorded the most significant decline, falling from 21st to 115th place following visa liberalisation.

Schengen Visa Rankings Shift in 2024: Which Countries Rose or Fell the Most

In 2024, Schengen states received a total of 11.7 million visa applications, representing a 13.5% rise from 10.3 million in 2023, according to data published by SchengenVisaInfo. This increase affected some countries more than others, with notable shifts in both upward and downward directions on the visa application rankings list.

Below is an analysis of the countries that saw the most significant increases and decreases in Schengen visa applications compared to the previous year.

Top 5 Countries With the Highest Rises in Schengen Visa Applications

Although some countries’ nationals do not need Schengen visas, foreigners residing there do—impacting the application data.

France

Despite French nationals not needing visas, foreign residents in France submitted 22,087 visa applications in 2024, moving France up 81 spots, from 137th in 2023 (with only 164 applications) to 56th this year.

Sweden

Similarly, Sweden rose 51 places from 135th to 84th, thanks to an increase in applications by foreign nationals living in the country. Applications rose from 196 in 2023 to 7,518 in 2024.

Eritrea

Eritrea jumped 16 positions, from 104th in 2023 to 88th in 2024, with 5,255 applications—a sharp rise from 3,317 the year before.

Cape Verde

Visa applications from Cape Verde increased by nearly 43%, jumping from 18,341 in 2023 to 26,204 in 2024. This shift moved the country up 12 places, from 61st to 49th.

Central African Republic

Climbing 10 positions, from 111th to 101st, visa applications from the Central African Republic rose by 35.5%, from 2,211 to 2,996.

Countries With the Sharpest Declines in Visa Application Rankings

While some countries climbed the list, others fell significantly—often due to changes in visa rules or geopolitical situations.

Kosovo

After gaining visa-free access to the Schengen Area in 2024, Kosovo experienced the largest drop, falling 94 positions, from 21st to 115th.
Visa applications dropped 98.7%, from 120,573 in 2023 to just 1,499 in 2024, mostly filed by foreign nationals residing in Kosovo who still require visas.

Sudan

Due to ongoing conflict, there were no recorded Schengen visa applications from Sudanese nationals in 2024, compared to 2,552 in 2023.

Bulgaria

While Bulgarians don't require Schengen visas, foreign nationals residing there do. Applications fell sharply, from 5,459 in 2023 to just 650 in 2024, causing Bulgaria to drop 33 places, from 91st to 124th.

Romania

Romania dropped 31 places, from 86th to 117th, with applications falling from 6,053 in 2023 to 1,292 in 2024—a 79% decline.

Greece

Visa applications in Greece declined by 84%, from 4,894 in 2023 to 762 in 2024, pushing the country down 29 places, from 94th to 123rd.

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