Top 5 Schengen Countries Most Likely to Reject Your Visa in 2025

Planning a trip to Europe in 2025?

Make sure to do your homework first—some Schengen countries are getting stricter with their visa approvals. 

Recent data shows that certain nations are more likely to say “no” to your application, often due to incomplete paperwork, vague travel plans, or insufficient financial proof. 

Here are the top 5 Schengen countries with the highest visa rejection rates, so you can plan your journey wisely.

1. Malta – Rejection Rate: 38.5%

Malta tops the list with the highest visa refusal rate. Of the 45,578 applications submitted in 2024, 16,905 were denied. Despite its popularity as a Mediterranean getaway, Malta applies strict scrutiny and struggles with handling large volumes of visa requests, making approvals harder to come by.

2. Estonia – Rejection Rate: 27.2%

Estonia turned down 3,291 visa applications in 2024. While it's known for its digital innovations and medieval charm, the country maintains tight controls—especially for first-time travelers or those with weak travel plans. Applicants from Egypt, the UAE, and India faced particularly high rejection rates.

3. Belgium – Rejection Rate: 24.6%

Belgium rejected more than 60,000 of the 255,000 visa applications it received last year. As a hub for the EU and NATO, it sees heavy demand, particularly for work and diplomatic travel. The high volume often leads to rushed or incomplete submissions, which contribute to a high denial rate.

4. Slovenia – Rejection Rate: 24.5%

Although it processes fewer applications than some of its Schengen counterparts, Slovenia still maintains a high rejection rate. Common reasons for denial include missing travel insurance, vague itineraries, or a lack of confirmed accommodation.

5. Sweden – Rejection Rate: 24%

In 2024, Sweden refused 44,576 visa applications. Applicants from politically unstable or economically challenged countries were more likely to be turned down. Swedish embassies are known for thorough background checks and often require proof of strong ties to the applicant's home country.

If you're applying for a Schengen visa, be sure your application is complete, your documents are accurate, and your travel plans are clearly explained to avoid visa denials.

Understanding each country’s approach to visa approvals can help increase your chances of success.

Need help with your Schengen visa? Whether it’s your first time applying or you’ve been rejected before, IaM is here to guide you every step of the way.

What are your thoughts on this issue? Talk to us in the comment section below. Or if you need more advice on the above, contact us for further travel & immigration advice.

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Charlie

Travel and Immigration Writer and Client Relationship Manager at IaM (Immigration and Migration)

Charlie is IaM’s resident Travel & Immigration Writer and Client Relationship Manager. They craft clear, engaging guides that demystify complex visa and migration rules - and then personally supports each client through every step of their journey.

Over the past 6+ years, with IaM, and working in the travel and immigration sector, Charlie has authored 200+ in-depth guides on Schengen, UK visas & other destinations they have relocated 1,000+ families safely through the system. A Clockwork Practitioner, Charlie also works hard to streamline operations and adheres to the mantra "Task Clients Well".

When they’re not translating policy into plain English, you’ll find them scouting new destinations, collecting local stories, and mastering a new language to better serve our global community.

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