The Schengen Area is a zone of 26 European countries that have abolished border controls and allow free movement of people, goods and services. The Schengen Area also issues short-stay visas to foreign nationals who wish to visit the area for tourism, business or other purposes.
However, not all Schengen countries are equally welcoming and open to visa applicants. Some countries have higher approval rates than others, meaning that they grant more visas to foreign travellers. According to data from Schengen Visa Info, these are the top 10 European countries that issued the most Schengen visas ever:
This table shows the Top Visa-Issuing Countries Throughout Between 2009-2022
| Country | Number of Schengen visas issued |
|---|---|
| France | 30,253,370 |
| Germany | 20,941,303 |
| Italy | 19,359,244 |
| Spain | 17,442,568 |
| Finland | 11,234,436 |
| Greece | 10,958,014 |
| Poland | 9,378,827 |
| Czech Republic | 6,505,592 |
| Netherlands | 5,666,488 |
| Switzerland | 5,259,842 |
These numbers are based on data from the Schengen Area portal, which provides statistics on the number of short-stay visas issued by Schengen countries in 2021. However, these numbers may not reflect the current situation or trends due to various factors such as the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on travel and tourism.
The most welcoming country in the Schengen Area is Lithuania, which has a visa approval rate of 98.7%. This means that out of every 100 visa applications from foreign nationals who want to visit Lithuania for up to three months within a year, almost all of them were granted a visa. The main applicants for Lithuania are from Russia, Turkey, China, Morocco and India.
The second most welcoming country is Estonia, which has a visa approval rate of 98.4%. This means that out of every 100 visa applications from foreign nationals who want to visit Estonia for up to three months within a year, almost all of them were granted a visa. The main applicants for Estonia are also from Russia, Turkey, China, Morocco and India.
The third most welcoming country is Finland, which has a visa approval rate of 97.8%. This means that out of every 100 visa applications from foreign nationals who want to visit Finland for up to three months within a year, almost all of them were granted a visa.
The other countries in the top five are Luxembourg (97.7%), Slovakia (97.6%) and Czech Republic (97.5%). These countries are also considered to be among the most developed and prosperous in Europe, offering attractive destinations for tourists and business travellers alike.
However, being one of the most welcoming countries does not necessarily mean being one of the most popular ones. For example, France, Germany, Spain and Italy are among the top four countries in terms of applications for Schengen visas. This could be due to their large population size, cultural diversity and historical significance. These countries also offer some unique attractions such as museums, monuments and natural wonders.
Therefore, if you are interested in visiting any of these countries or any other Schengen country, you should check their official websites for more information on the requirements and procedures for applying for a Schengen visa. You should also prepare your documents carefully and make sure they are valid and up-to-date.