Travellers to Switzerland face 12.5% Schengen visa refusal rate in 2025

Switzerland ranked seventh among Schengen countries for visa demand in 2025, receiving 619,323 applications and issuing 538,341 visas, according to figures compiled by AXA Schengen. Its refusal rate of 12.5% was among the lower rates in the ranking of the ten busiest Schengen states.

The wider picture shows demand recovering: more than 12.2 million Schengen visa applications were submitted worldwide in 2025, a 4.3% increase on the previous year, and roughly 10.3 million visas were granted, up 5.7% year on year.

Key facts

• 2025 worldwide: more than 12.2 million Schengen visa applications, up 4.3%
• Visas issued worldwide: approximately 10.3 million, up 5.7%; volumes remained below pre-pandemic levels
• Overall refusal rate: 14.6%, down from 14.8%
• Switzerland: 619,323 applications, 538,341 visas issued, 12.5% refusal rate
• Multiple entries: more than half of the visas issued allowed repeated entry without a new application for each trip
• Busiest destination: France, with about 3.1 million applications

Which countries issued the most Schengen visas?

France led on both applications and visas granted, taking about 3.1 million applications and issuing 2.6 million visas, with a refusal rate of 14.2%. Spain followed with roughly 1.7 million applications and 1.4 million visas issued, and a refusal rate of 14.6%.

Germany came third with about 1.5 million applications, 1.3 million visas and a 13.1% refusal rate, followed by Italy with around 1.3 million applications, 1.1 million visas and the lowest refusal rate in the top ten at 10.8%. The Netherlands received 746,011 applications and issued 607,324 visas, refusing 17.7% of applicants.

Greece processed 704,973 applications and issued 596,646 visas at a 14.5% refusal rate, while Hungary recorded 265,479 applications, 228,385 visas and a 13% refusal rate. Austria took 250,112 applications and issued 213,694 visas, refusing 11.9%, and Portugal received 253,108 applications but issued 194,381 visas — the highest refusal rate in the ranking at 23.3%.

How does Switzerland compare?

Switzerland's 12.5% refusal rate sits below the overall Schengen average of 14.6% and below those of France, Spain and the Netherlands. Its application volume of 619,323 was well behind the four leading destinations but ahead of Hungary, Austria and Portugal.

Outside the top ten, Slovakia recorded the lowest refusal rate of all, while Malta remained among the most stringent countries for applicants. In 2024, Schengen countries issued about 2.5 million visas through consulates across Africa, a region where the Schengen visa remains a key route for tourism, business, study and family visits.

What this means for travellers

Approval chances differ noticeably by destination: refusal rates in the ranking range from 10.8% in Italy to 23.3% in Portugal. Applicants planning a trip can weigh these figures alongside where they actually intend to travel.

More than half of the visas issued in 2025 allowed multiple entries, meaning holders did not need to apply again for each separate trip within the visa's validity.

European governments face mounting political pressure to tighten migration controls and scrutinise cross-border movement, and applications and approvals remain below pre-pandemic levels despite the 2025 increase.