France and Germany continue to dominate as the top two destinations for Schengen visa applications, with France receiving the highest number of applications in 2023. According to Schengen Visa Info, France processed a total of 2.6 million visa requests, making it the leading recipient of applications for the year. Germany, meanwhile, received 1.4 million visa applications, significantly fewer than France.
Despite France’s position as the top destination for Schengen visa applicants, it is not necessarily the preferred choice for all nationalities. Data from 2023 reveals which nationalities favored applying for visas to France and Germany, showcasing distinct preferences between the two countries.
In 2023, France issued 2.1 million visas, with 36.5 percent of them being multiple-entry visas (MEVs). However, 16.7 percent of French visa applications were denied, accounting for 436,893 negative decisions. While the overall volume was high, the rejection rate for France was also notable.
Among the top nationalities applying to France were Chinese, Moroccan, and Algerian nationals:
Chinese Nationals
Chinese applicants were the largest group applying for visas to France in 2023, filing nearly a quarter of all Schengen visa applications by Chinese nationals. Out of the 1.1 million visa requests filed by Chinese nationals, France emerged as their top choice within the Schengen region.
Moroccan Nationals
France remains a popular destination for Moroccans seeking Schengen visas. In 2023, Moroccan nationals submitted 591,401 visa applications, with 52.4 percent (or 310,057) being directed toward France, confirming Morocco as a key contributor to France’s high volume of visa applications.
Algerian Nationals
Algerians also ranked high among those applying for French visas. In 2023, Algerians filed 279,005 Schengen visa applications to France, representing 58.8 percent of their total applications for the year. Spain followed as the second most popular Schengen destination for Algerian nationals.
On the other hand, Germany attracted different nationalities, with significant visa requests coming from Egypt, Belarus, and Kosovo:
Egyptian Nationals
Germany was the top Schengen destination for Egyptian visa applicants in 2023. Out of the total visa applications filed by Egyptians, 46,991 were submitted to Germany, accounting for 24.9 percent of all Egyptian Schengen visa requests.
Belarusian Nationals
Belarusian nationals also favored Germany as their top Schengen destination in 2023. Of the 163,979 Schengen visa applications filed by Belarusians, 52,301 were directed toward Germany, making up 31.8 percent of all visa requests from Belarus.
Kosovar Nationals
Before the visa waiver came into effect for Kosovar nationals in 2024, Kosovo citizens filed 64,965 Schengen visa applications to Germany in 2023, representing 53.8 percent of their total applications for the year. Switzerland followed as the second most popular destination, with 33,255 applications filed.
While France received more visa applications overall, its rejection rate was slightly higher than Germany's, with 16.7 percent of applications denied compared to Germany's 14.3 percent. Nevertheless, both countries continue to play a key role in the Schengen visa system, receiving millions of applications from around the world each year.
By fLEXI tEAM
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