The Schengen Area comprises 29 European countries that have abolished internal border controls, allowing seamless travel with a single short-stay visa (up to 90 days in any 180-day period). For African nationals, who often face higher overall rejection rates due to factors like economic indicators, documentation scrutiny, and consular practices, selecting the right country to apply through can significantly improve approval chances.

While Africans encounter elevated refusal rates globally (often 30-45% or more for many nationalities, compared to the worldwide average of around 14-15% in recent years), certain Schengen countries consistently show higher approval rates based on recent data from 2024-2025. These trends are expected to influence 2026 applications, especially as the EU rolls out a digital visa platform for potentially smoother processing.

Important note

Always apply to the country that is your main destination or first point of entry, as per Schengen rules. “Visa shopping” (applying to a high-approval country without genuine plans to visit) often leads to rejection. Approval is never guaranteed and depends on strong documentation, financial proof, ties to home country, and travel purpose.

Top 10 Schengen Countries

Here are the top 10 Schengen countries with the highest visa approval rates, particularly favorable for applicants including those from Africa, based on the latest available statistics (primarily 2024 data, with trends carrying into 2025-2026):

1. Iceland
   Iceland consistently ranks at the top with approval rates around 91-94% in recent years (e.g., ~91.25% in 2024, previously higher). Its lower application volume and efficient processing make it one of the most accessible, even for first-time applicants from higher-risk regions.
2. Slovakia
   Slovakia features among the highest approval countries, often in the high 80-90% range in aggregated data. It handles applications straightforwardly, with fewer rejections compared to larger nations.
3. Italy
   Italy maintains strong approval rates, around 88-89% in 2025 reports. Popular for tourism, it offers clear guidelines and is relatively lenient for well-documented applications.
4. Romania
   Since fully joining Schengen processes, Romania has shown low rejection rates (around 9% in 2024). It is emerging as a favorable option with efficient handling.
5. Hungary
   Hungary boasts approval rates around 87% in recent analyses, making it a solid choice in Eastern Europe for straightforward applications.
6. Lithuania
   Lithuania is frequently cited for high success rates and organized processes, especially appealing for applicants from Africa and Asia.
7. Latvia
   Latvia offers efficient processing and relatively high approvals, often grouped with Baltic states for favorable outcomes.
8. Switzerland
   Switzerland (non-EU but Schengen) is noted for quick processing and good approval odds in many cases, particularly for genuine tourism or business trips.
9. Norway
   Norway, while stricter in some metrics (rejection ~16-17% in older data), ranks well overall with approval around 83%+ and reliable consulates.
10. Estonia
    Estonia is praised for clear procedures and higher-than-average approvals, making it a strong contender for first-time visitors.

These rankings draw from sources like European Commission visa statistics, SchengenVisaInfo, and travel consultancies analyzing 2024-2025 data. African applicants face systemic challenges (e.g., higher scrutiny on intent to return and finances), so even in these countries, rejection risks remain elevated compared to lower-risk nationalities. North African countries like Algeria often see refusal rates up to 35%, while sub-Saharan rates vary widely.

To maximize success in 2026:

• Submit complete, accurate documents early (passport, itinerary, proof of funds, accommodation, travel insurance, employment letter, etc.).
• Demonstrate strong ties to your home country (job, family, property).
• Avoid inconsistencies in your application.
• Consider professional help if needed, but beware of scams.

The upcoming EU digital visa platform may streamline applications further by 2026. Check official embassy websites or VFS Global/TLScontact for the latest requirements specific to your nationality.

Safe travels—Europe awaits with proper preparation!