Where it is Easiest to Obtain a Schengen Visa in 2026: Top 10 Countries
The chances of obtaining a Schengen visa significantly differ depending on the country where documents are submitted. According to statistics for 2025, Iceland demonstrated the highest approval rate at 91.25%. For Ukrainians with biometric passports, the visa-free regime to the Schengen Area remains valid for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. This is reported by Visit Ukraine.
Where it is Easiest to Obtain a Schengen Visa in 2026
According to the data, Iceland remains the leader of the ranking with an approval rate of 91.25%. Previously, it was even higher: in 2023, 94.26% of applicants received a positive decision.
The top ten countries with the highest share of approved applications are:
- Iceland – 91.25%;
- Slovakia – 89.25%;
- Italy – 88.72%;
- Romania – 88.36%;
- Switzerland – 88.12%;
- Hungary – 87.23%;
- Norway – 87.20%;
- Greece – 85.86%;
- Austria – 85.78%;
- Luxembourg – 85.65%.
These figures can be a useful guideline, but a high approval rate does not guarantee that a specific applicant will receive a visa. The consulate evaluates the documents, financial support, the purpose of the trip, and other circumstances.
It is also important to note that an applicant cannot simply choose the consulate with the highest approval rate. Documents for a short-term Schengen visa are usually submitted to the country of main destination, and if it is impossible to determine it, to the country of first entry.
For Ukrainians, the rules depend on the purpose and duration of stay. For instance, a visa to Germany is required for work, study, and other instances when the stay exceeds the conditions of visa-free travel.
Who Most Often Gets Schengen Visas Approved
Statistics also show significant differences depending on the citizenship of the applicants. The highest percentage of positive decisions was recorded for Liberian citizens at 97.6%, although in total they submitted only 125 applications.
For Vanuatu citizens, the rate was 95.79%: 250 out of 261 applicants received a positive decision. Following them among the countries studied were Zambia at 88.87%, Botswana at 83.10%, and Niger at 78.86%.
Such figures should be evaluated in conjunction with the number of applications. A high approval rate with only a few hundred applications cannot be directly compared to countries whose consulates review hundreds of thousands of applications each year.
For Ukrainian citizens, short tourist and private trips with a biometric passport remain visa-free. Meanwhile, the EU is preparing electronic authorization ETIAS for citizens of visa-free countries; however, its launch has been postponed until 2027.
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