Easiest Countries to Get Schengen Visa: Top 15 Ranked

If you are planning a European holiday, comparing the easiest Schengen visa countries can help you understand historical visa refusal trends before preparing your application. However, a country with a lower refusal rate does not automatically offer a higher chance of approval for every traveller.

This guide compares country-level Schengen short-stay visa statistics for 2025, published by the European Commission in 2026. It explains how to interpret refusal rates, what the figures mean for Indian applicants, and how to choose the correct country for your genuine travel itinerary.

What Makes a Schengen Country Easier to Get a Visa From?

The term easiest Schengen visa country usually refers to a destination with a comparatively low historical refusal rate for short-stay visa applications. It is not an official visa category, and no country guarantees approval because its past refusal rate was low.

The refusal rate indicates the proportion of decided visa applications that were refused during a reporting period. When comparing countries, use figures from the same year and check that the statistics use equivalent definitions.

Application volumes, applicant profiles and the consulates handling applications can differ significantly between countries. A lower national refusal rate does not necessarily mean that the application process is less strict or that an individual traveller has a better chance of approval.

According to the European Commission's official short-stay visa statistics, more than 12 million applications were received globally in 2025. The Commission reported a worldwide refusal rate of approximately 14.6%.

How Is the Schengen Visa Refusal Rate Calculated?

The refusal rate is calculated by dividing refused applications by the total number of applications decided, then multiplying the result by 100.

Formula:

Refusal rate = (Applications refused ÷ Applications decided) × 100

For example, if a consulate decides 10,000 applications and refuses 1,000, its refusal rate is 10%.

Top 15 Schengen Countries With Comparatively Low Refusal Rates

The following comparison uses the 2025 calendar-year destination-country statistics reported from European Commission data. The countries are arranged approximately from lower to higher refusal rates; percentages are rounded. These are historical outcomes, not a ranking of guaranteed approval chances.

Source: European Commission, short-stay visa statistics for 2025. Rates are rounded. Check the official dataset for the underlying counts and definitions before republishing the table.

1. Slovakia — 9.6%

Slovakia recorded the lowest refusal rate among the countries in this comparison in 2025. The figure makes it a useful country to include in a statistical comparison, but it does not establish that Slovakia is the easiest destination for every nationality or applicant profile.

Consider Slovakia if Bratislava or another part of the country genuinely forms your main destination. Do not choose it solely because of its historical refusal rate.

2. Italy — 10.8%

Italy's 2025 refusal rate was comparatively low despite the country's substantial application volume. It is relevant to travellers whose genuine itinerary includes destinations such as Rome, Florence or Venice.

Prepare an itinerary that reflects your actual plans, with supporting accommodation and financial evidence. Italy's national figures should not be interpreted as a personal approval probability.

3. Romania — 11.5%

Romania recorded an 11.5% refusal rate in 2025. Its inclusion reflects its place in the reported short-stay visa statistics, rather than a guarantee of simpler processing.

Applicants should check the current official application instructions and ensure that Romania is the appropriate country through which to submit their application.

4. Austria — 11.9%

Austria also recorded a relatively low refusal rate in 2025. Travellers whose main destination is Vienna, Salzburg or another Austrian location can use the figure as background when researching their trip.

The application still needs to satisfy the applicable requirements. A low historical refusal rate cannot compensate for inconsistent information or insufficient supporting evidence.

5. Latvia — 12.3%

Latvia's refusal rate was 12.3% in 2025. Travellers planning a genuine visit to Riga or other Latvian destinations may find the statistic useful when comparing historical outcomes.

The figure should be read alongside the reporting year and application volume, not as proof that Latvian applications are automatically easier.

6. Bulgaria — 12.5%

Bulgaria recorded a 12.5% refusal rate in the 2025 comparison. It is another destination whose statistics can help travellers understand differences in historical visa outcomes.

Before applying, confirm the relevant consular jurisdiction and the current requirements for your travel purpose.

7. Switzerland — 12.5%

Switzerland's refusal rate was also 12.5% in 2025. It is a relevant comparison for travellers planning a genuine visit to destinations such as Zurich, Geneva or the Swiss Alps.

Switzerland participates in the Schengen short-stay visa system. Applicants should still provide an itinerary and supporting documents that accurately reflect their plans.

8. Hungary — 13.0%

Hungary recorded a 13.0% refusal rate in 2025. The figure places it among the countries with comparatively lower refusal rates in this list.

Travellers planning a visit to Budapest or elsewhere in Hungary should review the applicable official instructions rather than assuming that the national statistic predicts the outcome of their application.

9. Germany — 13.1%

Germany's 2025 refusal rate was 13.1%. Germany also received a substantial volume of applications, making it important to consider the number of applications alongside the percentage.

Applicants should prepare evidence that supports their travel purpose, accommodation arrangements, finances and intended stay.

10. Finland — 13.4%

Finland recorded a refusal rate of 13.4% in 2025. The statistic can help travellers compare historical outcomes, but it does not show that Finnish authorities apply less stringent requirements to individual applicants.

Apply through Finland when it is the appropriate destination under the consulate-selection rules.

11. Iceland — 13.8%

Iceland has frequently appeared in older articles about countries with low Schengen visa refusal rates. Its 2025 rate, however, was 13.8%, demonstrating why rankings should be refreshed instead of repeating older claims.

The 2025 figure is a more appropriate basis for a current comparison than Iceland's frequently quoted 2.2% refusal rate from 2023.

12. Czechia — 14.2%

Czechia recorded a 14.2% refusal rate in 2025. Travellers whose main destination is Prague or another Czech location can consider the statistic as one element of their research.

It should not outweigh the actual itinerary, applicable requirements or quality of the application.

13. France — 14.2%

France recorded a 14.2% refusal rate in 2025 and handled a large volume of applications. A national percentage alone does not explain the circumstances behind individual decisions.

If France is your main destination, prepare your application according to the instructions of the relevant French consulate or authorised application centre.

14. Greece — 14.5%

Greece recorded a 14.5% refusal rate in 2025. Travellers planning a genuine visit to Athens, the Greek islands or other Greek destinations can use the figure to understand the historical context.

The statistic is not evidence that Greece is easier or harder for every nationality.

15. Spain — 14.6%

Spain's refusal rate was approximately 14.6% in 2025. Its large application volume makes it another useful point of comparison.

Applicants planning a visit to Spain should select the correct consulate and provide consistent evidence of the trip rather than relying on the country-level rate alone.

Important: These rankings compare reported destination-country outcomes. They do not rank countries by approval probability for Indian nationals specifically, nor do they establish that one country's assessment is more lenient than another's.

Easiest Schengen Visa Countries for Indians

Indian travellers should distinguish between two types of statistics: refusal rates for applications lodged in India and refusal rates for a destination country across its worldwide consulates. These measure different things and cannot be used interchangeably.

The European Commission reported approximately 1.15 million Schengen short-stay visa applications from India in 2025. That figure reflects substantial demand, but it does not reveal an Indian applicant's individual likelihood of approval.

For Indian applicants, a meaningful comparison should use the same reporting year and verified data specific to Indian applicants wherever available. Avoid relying on a worldwide ranking to conclude that a particular country is easiest for Indians.

Before applying, check:

• Whether the country is your genuine main destination.
• Which consulate is responsible for your place of residence.
• Whether your travel plans and supporting documents are consistent.
• Whether the latest official application requirements have been met.

For more detailed information about regulations, eligibility and current procedures, read Visament's guide to Schengen visa rules for Indians.

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Can You Apply Through Any Schengen Country?

No. You cannot freely choose a Schengen country simply because it has a lower refusal rate. You must follow the applicable rules for determining which country is responsible for your application.

The general rules are:

1. Visiting one country: Apply through the appropriate country for your destination.
2. Visiting multiple countries: Apply through the country where you will spend the longest time.
3. Spending equal time in multiple countries: Apply through the country of your first entry into the Schengen area.
4. Applying from abroad: Follow the consular jurisdiction rules applicable to your legal place of residence.

For example, suppose you plan to spend six nights in Italy and three nights in Switzerland. Italy is generally the main destination for your trip, so you should apply through the appropriate Italian consulate.

If you intend to spend four nights in Italy and four nights in Switzerland, the first-entry rule generally determines the responsible country.

Do not create a misleading itinerary or book an unrelated destination just to target a lower refusal rate. Your application should reflect your actual travel plans.

What Can Improve Your Schengen Visa Application?

A country's historical refusal rate is only one piece of context. A well-prepared application should clearly support the purpose of your trip and satisfy the applicable requirements.

Before submitting your application, check the following:

• Travel itinerary: Your destinations, travel dates and planned stays should be consistent.
• Financial evidence: Provide appropriate evidence that you can cover the costs of the planned trip.
• Accommodation: Include relevant accommodation details that match your itinerary.
• Travel medical insurance: Meet the applicable Schengen visa insurance requirements.
• Passport and application form: Check validity, completeness and consistency across the information provided.
• Purpose of travel: Provide supporting evidence appropriate to your stated reason for visiting.
• Personal circumstances: Supply relevant evidence addressing the requirements applicable to your circumstances.

No checklist can guarantee approval. Consulates assess applications individually, and applicants should consult the latest official guidance for their destination.

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How to Use Schengen Visa Refusal Statistics Before Applying

Use the following checks when comparing the easiest Schengen visa countries:

1. Check the reporting year. Do not mix 2023, 2024 and 2025 rates in one ranking.
2. Compare equivalent statistics. Confirm that the figures relate to the same type of visa and comparable definitions.
3. Consider application volume. A rate based on fewer applications can fluctuate more noticeably.
4. Check the population covered. Worldwide destination-country rates and statistics for applications lodged in India answer different questions.
5. Use official sources. Verify the latest figures through the European Commission's Schengen visa statistics.

The Commission's dataset provides historical application and visa figures by destination country and consular location. Reviewing the underlying data helps avoid repeating rankings that no longer reflect the latest reporting year.

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Conclusion

The easiest Schengen visa countries are best understood through current, comparable refusal-rate statistics—not promises of easy approval. Slovakia, Italy, Romania, Austria and Latvia recorded comparatively low refusal rates in the 2025 comparison, but those figures do not predict the outcome of an individual application.

Choose the correct consulate based on your actual itinerary, check the latest official requirements and prepare consistent supporting documents. If you need help organising your application, Visament can provide guidance through its available visa assistance services.