SchengenMap Blog

Who Travels Most to Schengen? Top Visa Applicant Nationalities (2024 Data)

If you want a clean, data-backed answer, Schengen visa application volume is one of the best public indicators of demand (especially for travelers who are not visa-exempt).

The top Schengen visa applicant nationalities (2024)

The European Commission reported 11.7 million visa applications in EU and Schengen associated countries in 2024, with the highest volumes from:

• China
• Turkiye
• India
• Morocco
• Russia

Source (official EU publication): European Commission: Visa applications reach 11.7 million (May 20, 2025).

What this means (practically)

• If you are applying from a high-volume country, appointment availability and processing queues can be a bigger issue than the rules themselves.
• Demand also correlates with more competition for consular slots during peak travel seasons.

Not legal advice. Application volumes do not change eligibility; always verify official requirements.