Top 5 Hardest Schengen Countries to Get a Visa In 2025

Planning a European getaway in 2025? You might want to double-check which countries are toughest on visa approvals—especially if you’re from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Russia, China, Egypt, or Morocco. Data shows that applicants from these countries faced the highest rejection rates.

Fresh 2024 visa statistics reveal that not all Schengen nations are equally welcoming. Some have far higher rejection rates and stricter application reviews than others.

Here’s a rundown of the top five countries where getting that visa stamp might be harder than you think:

1. Malta – Refusal Rate: 38.5%

Malta may be a sun-soaked island paradise, but it’s no breeze when it comes to visas.

In 2024, Malta received 45,578 Schengen visa applications and denied 16,905 of them.

Why it’s tough:

Limited embassy staff
Extra-tight document scrutiny
Slow processing
Even small mistakes in paperwork can lead to a swift rejection

2. Estonia – Refusal Rate: 27.2%

This Baltic nation has a tech-forward image but a conservative visa policy.

First-time applicants—especially from India, Egypt, and the UAE—faced notable challenges.

Why it’s tough:

Thorough vetting of your travel history
Heavy focus on financial stability and proof of return
Extra caution with solo travelers

3. Belgium – Refusal Rate: 24.6%

As the political heart of Europe, Belgium attracts a huge number of visitors—and denies many too. More than 60,000 applications were turned down in 2024.

Why it’s tough:

Common issues with incomplete documentation
Vague or unclear travel purposes
High volume leads to high scrutiny

4. Slovenia – Refusal Rate: 24.5%

Though it processes fewer visas overall, Slovenia still racks up a high rejection rate. About 4,400 applications were refused last year.

Why it’s tough:

Missing or insufficient travel insurance
Incomplete hotel or flight bookings
Unclear travel itineraries

5. Sweden – Refusal Rate: 24%

Sweden wants to see strong ties to your home country—and it’s not afraid to say no. In 2024, 44,576 applications were denied.

Why it’s tough:

High scrutiny of applicants from politically or economically unstable regions
Strict review of employment, family, and financial links at home

Honourable Mention: Denmark – Refusal Rate: 23.7%

With over 31,000 denials in 2024, Denmark narrowly missed the top five—but still remains a challenging destination.

Why it’s tough:

Intense verification of travel intent
Harsh penalties for fake or inconsistent documentation

Tips for 2025 Visa Success:

Double-check every document—especially insurance, bookings, and financial proofs
Be transparent about your travel plans and purpose
Show strong ties to your home country
Avoid applying through high-refusal embassies if you can choose others (e.g., where you have a better travel record)

Applying smart can make all the difference. Safe travels!

vanguard

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