European countries issued more than 10.2 million short-stay Schengen visas in 2025, with France, Spain, Germany and Italy accounting for the largest share of approvals, according to newly published European visa statistics.

The figures show that Schengen countries received approximately 12.2 million visa applications during the year, reflecting continued demand from international travellers seeking access to Europe for tourism, business, family visits and other short-term purposes.

Data published by the European Commission on May 28, 2026, indicates that 10,265,942 short-stay visas were issued across the Schengen area in 2025, representing an increase from approximately 9.8 million in 2024.

France emerged as the leading country for Schengen visa issuance, followed by Spain, Germany and Italy.

France, Spain, Germany and Italy Lead Visa Issuance

France topped the ranking, issuing approximately 2.65 million visas in 2025 from more than 3.1 million applications.

Spain followed with approximately 1.4 million visas, while Germany granted nearly 1.3 million.

Italy secured the fourth position, issuing approximately 1.18 million visas. It also recorded the lowest refusal rate among the four leading destinations, at approximately 10.8 per cent.

The Netherlands and Greece also featured prominently, issuing more than 607,000 and 596,000 visas respectively.

Switzerland, Hungary, Austria and Portugal completed the top 10 countries with the highest numbers of Schengen visas issued.

Top 10 Schengen Countries That Issued the Most Visas in 2025

The ranking below highlights the countries that granted the highest numbers of short-stay Schengen visas during 2025.

  1. France: 2,646,866 visas issued.

  2. Spain: 1,396,760 visas issued.

  3. Germany: 1,288,597 visas issued.

  4. Italy: 1,182,665 visas issued.

  5. Netherlands: 607,324 visas issued.

  6. Greece: 596,646 visas issued.

  7. Switzerland: 538,341 visas issued.

  8. Hungary: 228,385 visas issued.

  9. Austria: 213,694 visas issued.

  10. Portugal: 194,381 visas issued.

Italy Records Lowest Refusal Rate Among Leading Destinations

Beyond the number of visas issued, refusal rates provide another perspective on the 2025 statistics.

Italy recorded a refusal rate of approximately 10.8 per cent, making it the lowest among the four countries that issued the highest number of visas.

Portugal, despite making the top 10, recorded the highest refusal rate in the ranking, at approximately 23.3 per cent.

The Netherlands also recorded a relatively higher refusal rate, while France, Spain and Germany remained among the leading destinations by total visa issuance.

However, visa refusal rates should not automatically be interpreted as an indication of how easy or difficult it is to obtain a visa from a particular country. Applications differ according to applicants' nationalities, financial circumstances, travel purposes and the countries where applications are submitted.

What the Figures Mean for African Travellers

The statistics are particularly relevant to African professionals, entrepreneurs, students and tourists who travel to Europe for business engagements, conferences, tourism, family visits and other opportunities.

For Ghanaian travellers, the figures provide an overview of the European destinations handling the largest volumes of short-stay visa applications and approvals.

France, Spain, Germany and Italy remain significant destinations for international travel, while countries such as the Netherlands, Greece and Switzerland also attract substantial numbers of visitors.

Nevertheless, the overall figures do not establish the approval chances of Ghanaian applicants specifically, as individual visa decisions depend on the applicant's circumstances and supporting documentation.

Schengen Visa Demand Continues to Grow

The European Commission's figures show that short-stay Schengen visa applications increased by 4.3 per cent in 2025 compared with 2024.

Despite the increase, demand remained below the approximately 17 million applications recorded in 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic.

The figures highlight Europe's continued importance as an international destination for tourism, business and personal travel, while reflecting the growing demand for access to the 29-country Schengen area.

For travellers planning to visit Europe, understanding the visa requirements of their intended destination, preparing complete documentation and applying through the appropriate consulate remain essential steps in the application process.