Germany is the greatest country in 2024 to obtain a multiple-entry Schengen visa because of its high acceptance rate and easy entrance requirements. Strong competitors Austria, Italy, and Switzerland are among them. To make the most out of your trip arrangements, find out more about the Schengen Area’s trends in visa issuing.
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A multiple-entry Schengen visa allows you to travel freely between 27 countries in the Schengen Area. As 2024 approaches, certain countries will be your best bet for obtaining a multiple-entry visa due to their favorable visa policies. Do you want to explore the diverse landscapes of Europe without having to deal with the hassle of numerous visa applications?
What is a Schengen Visa with Multiple Entries?
A multiple-entry Schengen visa permits a visitor to enter and exit the Schengen Area more than once within its allotted length of validity. For frequent travellers and individuals with business or family obligations across many Schengen states, this visa offers the freedom to travel between 27 European countries.
Top Countries for Obtaining a Multiple-Entry Schengen Visa
These top 8 nations provide the quickest, most dependable routes to a Schengen Visa, which opens up a world of limitless travel opportunities throughout Europe. Knowing where to apply can help you save time and maximize your travel freedom, whether you’re a frequent tourist, business traveller, or organizing a lengthy holiday.
1. Germany
When it comes to granting multiple-entry Schengen visas, Germany is the leader. A minor decline from 90.6% in 2022 to 90.4% in 2023 was observed in the number of Schengen visas that Germany issued. Germany received 1,459,560 visa applications last year, of which 1,233,561 were granted visas with multiple entries, totaling 1,115,424.
2. Austria
Austria is the second-largest issuer of multiple-entry Schengen visas, after Germany. Up from 74.9% in 2022, 75.7% of Austrian consulate-issued visas were for multiple entries in 2023. 147,021 of the 229,613 applications that the nation processed and approved were multiple-entry applications.
3. Italy
Third place goes to Italy, where 70.2% of the Schengen visas it issued in 2023 permitted multiple entries. Of the 970,073 visa applications received, 680,794 were granted MEVs. Due to Italy’s reliable issuance of multiple-entry visas, tourists now have even another flexible travel choices.
4. Switzerland
In 2023, Switzerland granted multiple entry visas to 69.1% of its applicants. Switzerland’s policy of enabling multiple entries for every 506,499 visas issued is indicative of its willingness to enable repeat travel within the Schengen Area.
5. Greece
In 2023, Greece granted multiple-entry visas to 66.1 percent of the Schengen visa applications that were approved. Greece is a popular location for travellers requiring flexible entry into the Schengen region, with 521,825 applications having been processed.
6. Croatia
The Schengen Area’s newest member, Croatia, gave multiple-entry permits to 62% of its applicants in 2023. Croatia is becoming known as a location for people looking for numerous entry, with 29,785 visas issued.
7. Slovenia and Estonia
In 2022, Slovenia and Estonia had high rates of MEV issuance; but, in 2023, those figures decreased. This alteration suggests a significant change in their procedures for issuing visas.
- Slovenia: With an 81.6% multiple-entry visa rate in 2022, Slovenia was placed second; however, in 2023, this percentage fell to 59.7%.
- Estonia: In the same vein, the country’s stellar 2022 rate of 81.3% dropped to 60% in 2023.
Countries with the Lowest Rates of MEV Issuance
Some Schengen nations provide fewer multiple-entry visas than others, which makes them less desirable for tourists looking for flexible entry choices. The following states had the lowest MEV issuance rates in 2023:
- Finland: 21.3%
- Norway: 22.6%
- Sweden: 25.7%
- Spain: 27.2%
Germany’s Low Reject Rate for Visas
Germany not only leads the world in the issue of multiple-entry visas, but it also has a comparatively low rate of visa rejections. Germany rejected fewer visa applications in 2023 than the Schengen average of 16%, at 14.3%. This represented a decrease from 2022 when the Schengen average was 17.9% and Germany’s rejection rate was 16.2%.
So where do you apply for a visa to enter Schengen?
Make Germany your first pick if you want the best chance of getting a multiple-entry visa and a seamless application process.
Strong opportunities exist for multiple-entry visas in Austria, Italy, Switzerland, and Greece, and Croatia is becoming a viable alternative. If you have your heart set on visiting a different Schengen nation, make sure you are well-informed on their recent visa-issuing patterns.
However, because of their lower rates of MEV issuance, Finland, Norway, Sweden, and Spain are less desirable destinations for tourists who frequently need to enter the Schengen Area. Happy journeys!