Which Is the Easiest Schengen Visa to Get in 2026?

Short answer: There is no single easiest Schengen visa, because every application is judged on its own merits. Even so, the latest official statistics show that some countries refuse far fewer applications than others. In 2025, Slovakia, Italy, Romania, Austria and Latvia had the lowest refusal rates, while Malta, Belgium and Estonia had the highest. The most important rule is that you must apply to the country where you will spend the most time. Choosing a country only because it looks easier can lead to a refusal.

What does “easiest Schengen visa” really mean?

People who search for the easiest Schengen visa usually want to know which country is most likely to say yes. A Schengen visa from any of the 29 Schengen countries lets you travel across the whole area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period, so it is natural to look for the friendliest consulate.

In practice, “easiest” means the country with the lowest refusal rate. Every year, the European Commission publishes statistics showing how many short-stay applications each Schengen country received and how many it refused. These numbers are a useful guide, but they are averages across all nationalities and all consulates. Your own chances depend much more on your file than on the country you pick.

Which countries had the lowest refusal rates in 2025?

The European Commission released its 2025 Schengen visa statistics on 28 May 2026. Across all Schengen countries, about 12.2 million short-stay applications were made and the average refusal rate was about 14.7%.

These were the ten countries with the lowest refusal rates:

The refusal rate here is the number of refusals divided by the total number of decisions, so it shows the share of decisions that were negative.

Which countries had the highest refusal rates?

At the other end of the table, these countries refused the largest share of applications in 2025:

A high refusal rate does not mean a country is unfair. It often reflects the mix of applicants, the consulates involved and the purposes of travel. A well-prepared Schengen visa application to Belgium or Portugal can still be approved, and a weak one to Slovakia can still be refused.

Can you choose the easiest Schengen visa country?

Not freely. Schengen rules decide which country handles your application:

• Apply to the country where you will spend the most nights.
• If you will spend the same time in several countries, apply to the country you will enter first.
• If you are visiting only one country, apply to that country.

So if you plan a week in Paris and three days in Rome, you must apply to France, even if Italy has a lower refusal rate. If you apply to Italy for that trip, the officer may refuse the Schengen visa because your plans do not match the rules. This is often called “visa shopping”, and consulates watch for it.

The fair way to use the statistics is when you are genuinely flexible. If you have not booked anything yet and would be equally happy visiting Austria or Belgium, it is reasonable to plan your main stay in a country with a strong approval record.

Why do refusal rates differ between countries?

Several things push refusal rates up or down:

• Who applies. Countries that receive many applications from nationalities with high overstay rates usually refuse more.
• Where people apply. Some consulates have very high demand and stricter checks.
• Purpose of travel. Business and family visits with strong sponsors are often approved more often than first-time tourist trips.
• Document quality. Missing insurance, weak bank statements and unclear plans cause most refusals.
• Previous travel. Applicants with a clean Schengen, UK, US or Canada travel history tend to do better.

For that reason, the easiest Schengen visa for one person may not be the easiest for another. Look at your own profile first.

How do you make any Schengen visa application easier?

The best way to raise your chances is to make your file clear and complete. These steps follow the same flow that Alif Visa uses when we prepare a Schengen visa for a client.

1. Check your route on Alif Visa. Enter your nationality and destination on our visa checker to confirm which country should handle your application.
2. Plan a clear itinerary. Decide where you will stay each night. Your main destination decides where you apply.
3. Book your appointment early. Use the official provider for your consulate, such as VFS Global, TLScontact or BLS International.
4. Prepare strong financial evidence. Show steady income and enough savings for the trip. Our visa bank statement guide explains what officers look for.
5. Buy compliant insurance. It must cover at least EUR 30,000 of medical costs across the whole Schengen area. See our Schengen travel insurance guide.
6. Show strong ties to home. Include an employment letter, proof of studies, property or family responsibilities.
7. Write a short cover letter. Explain who you are, why you are travelling and when you will return.
8. Check every date. Your bookings, insurance and itinerary must match exactly.

If you would like a specialist to review your Schengen visa file before you submit, Alif Visa can check every document against the consulate’s checklist.

Is it easier to apply from the UK?

Many UK residents hold passports from countries that need a Schengen visa, such as India, Pakistan, Nigeria, Bangladesh, Ghana and the Philippines. Applying from the UK can work in your favour, because a stable UK immigration status, a UK job and UK bank records are strong ties.

Your UK residence permit or visa should usually be valid for at least three months after you plan to leave the Schengen area. If your UK status is about to expire, renew it first. Our guide to the Schengen visa from the UK covers the details for UK residents.

British citizens do not need a Schengen visa for short visits. They can stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period, have their details recorded by the new Entry/Exit System at the border, and will need an ETIAS travel authorisation once that system starts.

What are the EES and ETIAS, and do they affect you?

The Entry/Exit System (EES) records the fingerprints, facial image and entry and exit dates of non-EU travellers at Schengen borders. It has been rolled out across the Schengen area and replaces passport stamps. It applies to both visa holders and visa-free visitors, and it makes overstays easy to detect, so count your days carefully.

ETIAS is a separate travel authorisation for visa-free visitors, such as British, American and Canadian citizens. It is expected to start after EES. If you need a Schengen visa, ETIAS does not apply to you, because your visa already covers your trip. Check the official EU website for the latest start dates.

An example: choosing a main destination honestly

Here is a typical example. Ama, a Ghanaian citizen living in London with a UK work visa, wanted a ten-day holiday in Europe. She had read that Italy was an easy Schengen visa country and that Belgium was harder.

Her first plan was six nights in Brussels and four in Florence. Under the rules, that meant applying to Belgium. Because her dates were flexible, she changed the plan to six nights in Rome and Florence and four in Vienna. She applied to Italy, with a clear itinerary, hotel bookings for every night, a letter from her employer, three months of payslips and bank statements, and compliant insurance.

Her Schengen visa was approved. The country she chose helped a little, but the honest itinerary and the strong documents mattered far more.

Which mistakes cause Schengen refusals?

The most common reasons for refusal are the same in every country:

• Applying to the wrong country for your itinerary.
• Unclear purpose of travel or bookings that do not match the form.
• Weak finances, such as unexplained cash deposits just before applying.
• Insurance that does not meet the minimum cover or dates.
• Weak ties to home, with no job letter or proof of return.
• Previous overstays or immigration problems.
• False or altered documents, which can lead to bans.

If you have been refused before, our guide to visa refusal reasons explains how to fix each one before you apply again.

Does a multiple-entry Schengen visa come more easily later?

Yes, often. Under the Schengen cascade rules, travellers who have used previous Schengen visas lawfully can be given longer multiple-entry visas, sometimes for one year, then two, then five. Each lawful trip strengthens your record.

This is one reason why your first application matters so much. A clean first visit, with an on-time return, makes every later Schengen visa easier, whichever country you apply to next.

Key takeaways

• There is no guaranteed easiest Schengen visa, but some countries refuse fewer applications.
• In 2025, Slovakia, Italy, Romania, Austria and Latvia had the lowest refusal rates.
• Malta, Belgium, Estonia, Portugal and Sweden had the highest.
• You must apply to your main destination, or the first country you enter if stays are equal.
• A complete, honest file matters more than the country you choose.
• UK residents with stable status and strong ties often have good chances.

How can Alif Visa help with a Schengen visa?

Alif Visa is a UK-registered visa assistance company helping applicants worldwide. We help you plan an itinerary that follows the rules, prepare a complete Schengen visa file, book appointments with the right provider, and write a clear cover letter.

You can check your route, start an application or talk to our team. Our service fee is always shown separately from the official visa fee.

Frequently asked questions

Which is the easiest Schengen visa to get?

Based on 2025 statistics, Slovakia had the lowest refusal rate at about 9.6%, followed by Italy, Romania and Austria.

Which Schengen country refuses the most applications?

Malta had the highest refusal rate in 2025, at about 38.4%.

Can I apply to any Schengen country I like?

No. You must apply to your main destination, or the first country you enter if your stays are equal.

What is the average Schengen refusal rate?

About 14.7% in 2025, according to European Commission data.

Does applying from the UK help?

A stable UK status, UK job and UK bank records can strengthen your application.

Do British citizens need a Schengen visa?

No. They can stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa.

How much travel insurance do I need for a Schengen visa?

At least EUR 30,000 of medical cover valid across the whole Schengen area.

Will my next Schengen visa be easier?

Often yes. Lawful use of previous visas can lead to longer multiple-entry visas.

Sources

• European Commission: Visa policy and statistics
• European Commission: Applying for a Schengen visa
• SchengenVisaInfo: Schengen visa statistics 2025
• GOV.UK: Travelling to the EU