Easiest Countries to get a Schengen Visa – Your best chances to get a Schengen Visa

Visas, Immigration & Nationality

Easiest Countries to get a Schengen Visa – Your best chances to get a Schengen Visa

   Austria Czech Republic Denmark EEA Estonia Finland Greece Iceland Immigration Advise Latvia Lithuania Luxembourg Poland Schengen Visas Slovakia Visa Application    7 February 2020  | Updated On November 24, 2022  |  0
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The top 12 easiest countries to get a Schengen Visa for tourism

So, you want to travel in the Schengen Area for up to 90 days and don’t want to deal with visa issues and long-time processes?

Do you want to be able to visit at least one of the 26 countries members of the Schengen Zone including the most visited countries in Europe such as France, Spain, Italy, Greece, Netherlands or Germany? 

Getting a Schengen Visa will basically allow you free movement in Europe, which is why more than 16 million people around the world applied for a short-stay Schengen visa in 2018 and 2.4 million in 2021, during the pandemic.

However, before applying for a Schengen Visa, there are some considerations that you need to take into account:

  • Do you need a Schengen Visa to visit Europe?

Check out your eligibility using our Schengen Visa Eligibility Checker

  • Do you want to visit one country only? If so, you can apply for a Schengen Visa for that particular country
  • Do you want to visit more than one country member of the Schengen Zone? You will have to apply for the country you will travel to first OR for the longest time
  • You will have to get the required documents for your Schengen visa and go to the Embassy/Consulate/VAC after you’ve applied for a Schengen Visa

So now that you feel ready to go on an adventure in Europe, the question is: 

What would be the easiest and the most certain way to get a Schengen Visa?

In some countries, it is easier to get a Schengen Visa (according to the 2018 statistics and 2021 Schengen visa statistics for consulates provided by the European Commission). Check out the 12 best countries to get a Schengen Visa below.

List of Top 12 Easy Countries to get a Visa to Europe

12. Denmark

SKI ON TOP OF A BUILDING! Do it on the artificial ski slope in the city of Copenhagen!

Check out our Youtube video on the best places to visit in Denmark! and find more information on the official Danish tourism website.

11. Austria 

ENTER TO HELL! Enter the largest ice cave in the world which is considered as the entrance to hell by the Austrians.

Check out our Youtube video on the best places to visit in Austria! and find more information on the official Austrian tourism website.

10. Greece

6,000 ISLANDS! Greece offers a 16,000 km coastline thanks to its islands and islets. It’s time to go to the beach!

With Greece being one of the most visited places in Europe, it is surprising that it makes it into the top 10 easiest way to get a Schengen visa. Especially considering that it has some of the strictest criteria to get a Greek visa.

Therefore, it's safe to say that one of the easiest ways to get a Schengen visa may be from Greece but being able to submit your application in the first place may be one of the hardest.

Check out our Youtube video on the best places to visit in Greece! and find more information on the official Greek tourism website.

09. Czech Republic 

VISIT THE BONE CHURCH! Located 1h train ride from Prague, the Bone Church is decorated to 40,000 to 70,000 human skeletons!

Check out our Youtube video on the best places to visit in the Czech Republic! and find more information on the official Czech tourism website.

08. Slovakia 

GET LOST IN THE 6200 CAVES OF SLOVAKIA! Walked into iced caves or go underground on a boat trip on underground rivers!

Check out our Youtube video on the best places to visit in Slovakia! and find more information on the official Slovakian tourism website.

07. Luxembourg

UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE! The Old City of Luxembourg, the photo collection “The family of Man” and the dancing procession of Echternach are part of the UNESCO world heritage.

Check out our Youtube video on the best places to visit in Luxembourg! and find more information on the official Luxembourger tourism website.

06. Poland 

VISIT THE OLDEST SALT MINE IN THE WORLD! Don’t get lost in the Wieliczka mine, a huge labyrinth with 360km of galleries and 2040 chambers!

Poland is an underestimated jewel in Europe with history and culture over many many centuries. Being strategically located in the centre of Europe, it makes it's way to no.6 in the list of the easiest way to get Schengen visa from 2018 statistics.

Check out our Youtube video on the best places to visit in Poland! and find more information on the official Polish tourism website.

05. Latvia 

SLEEP IN AN HAUNTED JAIL! You can spend a night in jail in the city of Liepaja…

Check out our Youtube video on the best places to visit in Latvia! and find more information on the official Latvian tourism website

04. Finland 

HANG OUT WITH THE REAL SANTA! Doesn’t matter if you are an adult or child, you can still have a private chat with Santa in the city of Rovaniemi!

Check out our Youtube video on the best places to visit in Finland! and find more information on the official Finnish tourism website.

Finland just misses out of the top 3 easiest way to get a Schengen visa by a fraction due to the number of applications submitted in 2018. If we round up percentages, it is joint 3rd with Iceland.

03. Iceland 

THE LAND OF FIRE AND ICE! Iceland is one of the largest glaciers in Europe but there are also active volcanoes with volcanic events every 5 years!

Making it to no.3 in the easiest countries to get a Schengen visa is Iceland. With a 97.3% chance of getting your Iceland Schengen visa granted, what's stopping you from experiencing one of the most beautiful parts of the world?

Check out our Youtube video on the best places to visit in Iceland 

and find more information on the official Icelander tourism website.

Estonia - the second easiest way to get Schengen visa

02. Estonia 

DON’T FEAR GHOSTS! The old part of Tallinn is rich in stories and legend. Go to the house on Lai Street 29 and wait for the ghost who knocks on doors and walls…

Check out our Youtube video on the best places to visit in Estonia and find more information about the country on the official Estonian tourism website.

With a 1.6% refusal rate, Estonia makes it in as no.2 and is certainly one of the easiest ways to get a Schengen visa. Once you obtain an Estonia Schengen visa you can explore the sights of Estonia and that of the other 26 Schengen States.


Lithuania no.1 in the easiest countries to get a schengen visa

01. Lithuania 

MEET THE DEVIL! Find the Devil’s Pit, a mysterious 40-meter-deep object lost in the middle of a forest. Nobody dares to visit this place by night because the legend says that it's the time where the devils have their feasts!

Lithuania makes it into the list of the top 12 easiest countries to get a Schengen visa at no.1! Why? Only 1.3% of visa applications are refused by the Consulates. This means that Schengen visa applications are almost 100% guaranteed to be issued from the Lithuanian authorities… 98.7% to be exact in 2018.

Check out our Youtube video on the best places to visit in Lithuania 

and find more information on the official Lithuanian tourism website.

Schengen visa applications are almost 100% guaranteed to be issued from the Lithuanian authorities

Table of Top 12 Easiest Schengen Countries to Apply for a Schengen Visa

The list below is the top 12 easiest Schengen visa countries to apply for a Schengen visa. The information is based on the last official data from the European Commission in 2018. 2019 stats will be released later this year (April/May 2020). Will this table change then? Watch this space.

Schengen StateUniform visas applied forUniform visas not issuedNot issued rate for uniform visas
Lithuania353.0594.7011.3%
Estonia 127.5612.0481.6%
Iceland 9.3341561.7%
Finland 769.04913.4391.7%
Latvia 161.7093.3742.1%
Poland 526.71516.6693.2%
Luxembourg 10.8764013.7%
Slovakia 26.7971.1184.2%
Czech Republic 662.90231.2064.7%
Greece 855.28542.0134.9%
Austria 306.13319.0986.2%
Denmark 164.00311.4727%

Now that you have probably made your choice on which country you want to apply for, let’s see How to apply for a Schengen Visa to the easiest way to get Schengen visa

General documents requirements:

  • The signed application form 
  • Original passport (valid minimum 3 months after visa expiry date)
  • A recent identity photograph (35mmx45mm)
  • Document indicating the purpose of the journey (travel itinerary)
  • Proof of accommodation
  • Proof of sufficient means of subsistence for the duration of the journey
  • Proof of the intention to leave the territory before the visa expires
  • Travel insurance that covers the entire period of stay in the Schengen zone (minimum ticket covers €30.000)
  • Visa fee: €80 for an adult, €40 for a child between 6-12 years of age, and free for a child younger than 6 years of age

Other documents requirements depending on the country:


Application formIf employedIf self-employedIf a student If unemployed Means of subsidence 
Lithuania 


Lithuania App form		Recent, official and signed original letter from employer; Payslips for the last 3 monthsRecent original letter from accountant, banker or solicitor; Letter from the tax authoritiesRecent, official and signed original letter from school, college or university
Social benefit entitlement letter		€40/day
Estonia Estonia App formRecent, official and signed original letter from employer; Payslips for the last 3 monthsRecent original letter from accountant, banker or solicitor; Letter from the tax authoritiesRecent, official and signed original letter from the school, college or university

Pension statement of the latest 6 months		€108/day
Iceland 


Iceland App form		Employment contract; bank statement of the last 6 months, leave permission from the employer, income tax return formCopy of the business licence; bank statement of the latest 6 months, Income Tax returnProof of enrollment; no-objection certificate from school or university

Pension statement of the latest 6 months		€60/40 or 20/day
Finland Finland App formEmployment contract; bank statement of the last 6 months, leave permission from the employer, income tax return formCopy of the business licence; bank statement of the latest 6 months, Income Tax returnProof of enrollment; no-objection certificate from school or university

Pension statement of the latest 6 months		€30/day
Latvia 
Latvia App form		Letter from employerCopy of the business licence; bank statement of the latest 6 months, Income Tax returnLetter from school, college or university

Pension statement of the latest 6 months		€14/day
Poland 
Poland App form		Valid letter from the employer (position, date of employment, salary for the last 3 months)Registration certificate of individual entrepreneurship; latest tax returnStudent or school certificatePension statement of the last 3 monthsUp to 3 days: €67.76Exceeding 3 days: €22.59
LuxembourgLuxembourg App formRecent, official and signed letter from employer and payslips of the last 3 monthsRecent original letter from accountant, banker or solicitor;Letter from the tax authoritiesRecent letter from school, college or university

Pension statement of the latest 6 months		Case by case basis
Slovakia 


Slovakia App form		Recent, official and signed letter from employer and payslips of the last 3 monthsRecent original letter from accountant, banker or solicitor;Letter from the tax authoritiesRecent, official and signed original letter from school, college or university

Pension statement of the latest 6 months		€56/day
Czech republic Czech App formRecent, original and signed employer’s letter and payslips from the last 3 months


Last tax return		Recent, original and signed  school, college or university letterLetter from the local Jobcenter or DWP if receiving benefit, if no cover letter about the applicant’s financial situation€42.50/day
Greece Greece App formRecent original certificate of employment/payslips/proof of social security contributionOriginal letter from accountant or the last tax return formRecent letter from University

Pension statement of the latest 6 months		€50/day 
Austria 


Austria App form		Recent, official and signed letter from employer and payslips of the last 3 monthsRecent original letter from accountant, banker or solicitor; Letter from the tax authoritiesRecent, official and signed original letter from school, college or university
Pension statement of the latest 6 months		Case by case basis
Denmark 
Denmark App form		Original letter from your employer or original recent payslipOriginal letter from a solicitor, accountant or companies houseOriginal letter of enrolment from educational institution
Pension statement of the latest 6 months		€67.24/day

NEW SCHENGEN VISA FORMS SINCE FEBRUARY 2, 2022


FAQs:

  1. What will happen if I apply at the VAC/Embassy/Consulate of the wrong country?

You may face a visa rejection or simply be directed to the right VAC.


2. What if there is no diplomatic representation of my destination country in my own country

You need to contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in your home country.


3. Can I apply for a Schengen visa from a foreign country?

The main condition to apply for a Schengen Visa is to be a citizen of the country you are currently in or have a valid residence permit issued by that country.

However, you can contact the Embassy or Consulate of the country you would like to travel to and ask if they can make exceptions (you will have to provide a strong justification)


4. In which country is the less easy to get a Schengen Visa?

According to the 2018 statistics, Malta is the country with the highest not issued rate for uniform visas.

Still don’t know which Schengen Visa from which country is the best for you? 

Download our FREE guide to find out which country you could be the most interested by

and Contact us by starting your Schengen Visa Application NOW!


Rose Delacquis
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