When visiting multiple countries in the Schengen zone, it is important to apply for a visa from the country you are entering first or where you are spending the maximum number of days. If that country happens to be Germany, then you are in luck, as data shows that it is the best country for getting a multiple-entry Schengen visa approved.
The multiple-entry visas (MEVs) allow travellers to enter and exit the Schengen Area, comprising 27 European countries, multiple times before the expiry of the visa. In 2022, Germany came out on top for having the highest share of MEVs in the total number of visas issued, according to data on Schengen Visa Info. Of 8,17,307 visas Germany approved, 7,40,356 were MEVs — an approval rate of 90 percent.
Other countries issuing multiple entry Schengen visa easily
Apart from Germany, Slovenia and Estonia also had the highest issuance rate for MEVs. Of the total visas issued, Slovenia granted 81.6 percent visas for more than one entry, and Estonia granted 81.3 percent MEVs. Following them closely was Austria (79.4 percent) and Italy (73.8 percent).
Nordic countries — Iceland (5.8 percent), Norway (33.6 per cent) and Sweden (33.6 per cent) — were at the contrasting end for having the lowest approval rates of multiple entry visas.
France and Spain, the top two most visited destinations in Europe, received more applications than Germany but had a lower share of granting multiple entry visas. France received almost two million applications in 2022. Out of these, just 40 percent were allowed to enter multiple times. Following closely behind, Spain issued only 39.3 percent visas for multiple entries, according to the Schengen Visa Info data.
Lower chance of Schengen visa rejection by Germany
In addition to having the highest multiple entry visa rate, Germany also had one of the lowest overall visa rejection rates when compared to other Schengen countries. According to this 2022 data, Germany only rejected 16.2 percent of applications it received, which is even lower than the Schengen member states’ average — 17.9 percent.
Malta, Sweden, Belgium and France are the countries that saw the highest rejection rates in 2022. In contrast, Iceland, Lithuania, Finland and Latvia were the countries to have the lowest overall rejection rates, according to the data.
What is a multiple entry visa?
A multiple entry visa means one can leave and enter the Schengen Area more than once but without violating the 90/180 rule. According to this rule, you cannot stay in Schengen zone for more than 90 days in a period of 180 days. Depending on the frequency of travel, one can apply for multiple entry visas for one year, three years or five years.
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Related: Schengen Visa: Types, Application Procedure, Processing Time, Cost, And All You Need To Know
A post-graduate in journalism and mass communication, Ayushi is a digital writer who has worked with several Indian media organisations, including Times Internet Limited and Zee Media Corporation Limited, in the news, lifestyle and entertainment space. When she's not on her desk, she can be found dancing, trying new restaurants or packing her bags to explore a new destination.
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