Major Shifts in Schengen Visa Applications in 2024: France, Sweden Rise, While Kosovo and Sudan See Sharp Declines

In 2024, Schengen states collectively received 11.7 million visa applications — a 13.5 per cent increase from the 10.3 million filed the year before.

But beneath this overall growth lies a notable reshuffling of where these applications are coming from. Some countries have surged in rankings, while others have experienced sharp declines in Schengen visa application submissions.

Top 5 Countries With the Steepest Climbs in Visa Applications

Among the countries that saw a significant rise in visa application activity were France, Sweden, Eritrea, Cape Verde, and the Central African Republic. Although some of these nations do not require Schengen visas for their own citizens, the applications came from foreign nationals residing within their borders.

France experienced the most dramatic leap in visa applications in 2024. The country jumped 81 positions on the list of visa application rankings — from 137th place in 2023 to 56th in 2024. The number of applications skyrocketed from just 164 the previous year to 22,087. Though French citizens themselves do not need a Schengen visa, foreign nationals residing in France who come from countries without visa liberalisation agreements accounted for this spike.

Sweden saw a similar trend. Swedish nationals also benefit from visa-free access to the Schengen Area, yet foreigners living in Sweden filed 7,518 visa applications in 2024. This marked a substantial increase from the 196 applications recorded in 2023. Consequently, Sweden jumped from 135th to 84th place.

Eritrea, where nationals are required to obtain visas to enter the Schengen Zone, moved up 16 places — from 104th in 2023 to 88th in 2024. Applications from Eritrean citizens rose from 3,317 to 5,255, demonstrating a growing demand for Schengen access.

Cape Verde advanced 12 spots in the rankings, moving from 61st to 49th place. The volume of visa applications surged from 18,341 in 2023 to 26,204 in 2024, which constitutes a 43 per cent year-over-year increase.

Meanwhile, the Central African Republic showed a more modest increase, climbing 10 places from 111th to 101st. The number of Schengen visa applications filed rose from 2,211 to 2,996, a 35.5 per cent increase.

Countries With the Largest Drops in Visa Applications

While several countries ascended the rankings, others saw steep declines in both visa numbers and their relative positions.

Kosovo underwent the most significant fall in Schengen visa application activity in 2024. As of this year, citizens of Kosovo have been granted visa-free access to the Schengen Area.

This change led to a 94-place drop in the rankings — from 21st place in 2023 to 115th in 2024. Visa applications from Kosovo fell dramatically from 120,573 to just 1,499, representing a 98.7 per cent decrease. “These applications were mainly filed by foreign nationals, who could be holders of Bangladeshi, Afghan, or other passports of countries that do not have a visa liberalisation agreement with the member states,” the analysis notes.

Sudan presents another stark example, though for different reasons. Due to the ongoing conflict in the country, no data is available for Sudanese visa applications in 2024. In 2023, Sudanese nationals submitted 2,552 applications.

Bulgaria, whose citizens do not require Schengen visas, also saw a marked decline in applications — likely reflecting reduced submissions from resident foreign nationals. Visa application numbers fell from 5,459 in 2023 to just 650 in 2024, an 88 per cent drop. The country slid from 91st to 124th place in the rankings, a fall of 33 positions.

Romania faced a similar trajectory. Applications from Romania dropped from 6,053 in 2023 to 1,292 in 2024, an almost 79 per cent reduction. This resulted in a 31-position drop in the rankings — from 86th to 117th.

Lastly, Greece moved down 29 spots, from 94th in 2023 to 123rd in 2024. The number of visa applications filed decreased from 4,894 to 762, translating to an 84 per cent decline.

As 2024 unfolds, these shifts in Schengen visa application patterns underscore the dynamic interplay between visa policies, geopolitical events, and international mobility. Whether driven by new visa-free access, conflicts, or changing migration trends, the landscape of visa applications continues to evolve significantly.

By fLEXI tEAM