France, Sweden, Eritrea, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Kosovo, Sudan, Bulgaria, Romania, Greece – What Factors Are Driving the Rise and Fall in Schengen Visa Applications for 2024?

Saturday, June 28, 2025

In 2024, Schengen Area countries saw an increase of 13.5 percent in visa applications compared to the previous year, with a total of 11.7 million Schengen visa applications filed. This marks a notable rise from the 10.3 million visa requests submitted in 2023. However, some countries experienced considerable shifts in their visa application rankings, with France, Sweden, and other nations climbing the ranks, while others, such as Kosovo and Sudan, saw a sharp drop.

In this article, we explore which Schengen countries saw the most significant increases and decreases in visa applications, shedding light on key trends impacting the European visa landscape.

Top 5 Countries with the Most Significant Increases in Visa Applications in 2024

The surge in visa applications has had a varying impact on different countries. Some saw dramatic climbs in their visa application rankings due to rising demand, while others experienced substantial shifts due to political and geopolitical factors.

1. France: Leading the Charge with a Dramatic Increase

France experienced the largest increase in Schengen visa applications in 2024. While French citizens do not need to apply for a Schengen visa to enter other member states, foreign nationals residing in France who do not have a visa-liberalisation agreement with the Schengen Area must apply for one.

In 2024, France jumped a staggering 81 positions, moving from 137th to 56th on the list of countries with the most visa applications. In total, 22,087 visa applications were filed from France, a remarkable increase from just 164 applications in 2023.

This dramatic change is attributed to an influx of applications from foreign nationals living in France who require a visa to travel within the Schengen Area.

2. Sweden: A Significant Jump in Visa Applications

Similar to France, Sweden did not see an increase in applications from its own nationals but experienced a dramatic rise in the number of visa requests filed by foreign nationals residing in Sweden. In 2024, these residents submitted 7,518 visa applications, propelling Sweden to the 84th spot on the list, up from 135th in 2023.

The jump in visa requests reflects the growing demand for Schengen visas from immigrants and expats living in Sweden, particularly from countries without a visa liberalisation agreement with Schengen.

3. Eritrea: A Climb of 16 Positions

Eritrea, a country whose nationals must apply for Schengen visas, experienced a rise of 16 positions, moving from 104th in 2023 to 88th in 2024. The number of visa applications from Eritrea increased substantially from 1,938 in 2023 to 5,255 in 2024. This jump represents a clear upward trend in the demand for travel to the Schengen Area from Eritrean citizens.

4. Cape Verde: A Notable 43 Percent Increase

Cape Verde also saw a notable rise in Schengen visa applications, moving up from the 61st position in 2023 to the 49th spot in 2024. The country experienced a 43 percent increase in applications, filing 26,204 visa requests in 2024, compared to 18,341 the previous year. This substantial increase highlights a growing demand for travel from Cape Verdean nationals to the Schengen Area.

5. Central African Republic: A Moderate Increase

The Central African Republic also showed an increase in visa applications, with a climb of ten positions in the rankings. In 2024, nationals from this country filed 2,996 visa applications, up by 35.5 percent from 2,211 in 2023. This rise indicates a growing interest in visiting the Schengen Area, as the country moved from 111th to 101st in the rankings.

Countries That Experienced the Biggest Declines in Visa Applications in 2024

While certain countries saw substantial increases in visa applications, others experienced notable declines due to changes in visa policies, ongoing conflicts, and political factors.

1. Kosovo: A Massive Drop Following Visa Liberalisation

One of the most significant declines in Schengen visa applications occurred in Kosovo, which had been among the top countries for visa applications in previous years. In 2024, Kosovo’s application numbers dropped by 98.7 percent, following the visa liberalisation agreement for Kosovo citizens.

In 2023, Kosovars filed 120,573 visa applications, ranking 21st in terms of the most visa requests filed. However, with the implementation of visa-free travel for Kosovars to the Schengen Area in 2024, the number of applications plummeted to just 1,499. This resulted in Kosovo’s ranking falling from 21st to 115th on the visa application list.

2. Sudan: No Applications Filed in 2024

Due to ongoing conflict in Sudan, there was no data available regarding visa applications from Sudanese nationals in 2024. In 2023, Sudan submitted 2,552 visa applications, but the lack of application submissions in 2024 highlights the impact of instability in the region.

3. Bulgaria: A Sharp Decline in Visa Applications

Bulgaria, whose nationals do not require Schengen visas, saw a significant decrease in the number of visa applications filed by foreigners residing in the country. In 2024, the number of applications dropped by 88 percent, from 5,459 in 2023 to just 650 applications in 2024. This caused Bulgaria’s ranking to fall by 33 positions, from 91st to 124th.

4. Romania: A Substantial Drop in Schengen Visa Demand

Romania also experienced a decline in visa applications in 2024. In 2023, Romania ranked 86th with 6,053 visa applications, but in 2024, this number dropped to 1,292, pushing Romania down to 117th in the rankings. This 79 percent decrease reflects a significant reduction in demand for Schengen visas from Romanian nationals.

5. Greece: A Drastic Drop in Visa Applications

Greece witnessed a sharp decline in Schengen visa demand in 2024, with a drop of 84 percent in visa applications compared to 2023. In 2023, Greece ranked 94th with 4,894 visa applications, but in 2024, this number plummeted to 762, dropping Greece to 123rd in the rankings.

This dramatic fall in applications is attributed to several factors, including changes in travel patterns and visa liberalisation agreements for neighboring countries.

Key Trends Shaping Schengen Visa Applications in 2024

The Schengen visa landscape in 2024 reflects a mix of visa liberalisation policies, political changes, and geopolitical events that have significantly influenced the visa application process for different countries.

Visa liberalisation agreements, such as the one for Kosovo, played a major role in reducing the number of visa applications from countries previously reliant on Schengen visas.Political instability and conflicts, particularly in countries like Sudan, impacted the ability of nationals to apply for visas.Economic factors and immigration patterns also influenced the demand for Schengen visas, as seen in the increases from countries like Eritrea and Cape Verde.

As the Schengen Area continues to evolve, these factors will continue to shape visa policies and application trends for years to come.

Conclusion: Schengen Visa Application Trends in 2024

The changes in Schengen visa application trends for 2024 underscore the dynamic nature of global migration patterns and the ongoing impact of political and economic shifts. While some countries saw a dramatic increase in applications, others faced a sharp decline due to visa liberalisation and other factors.

As we look ahead, the trend of visa liberalisation, geopolitical instability, and immigration patterns will continue to shape the visa application landscape in Europe, impacting both applicants and Schengen Area member states.

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