In 2024, visa applicants aiming to enter the Schengen Area collectively lost approximately €145 million in non‑refundable visa fees due to rejections. The total number of rejected applications surpassed 1.7 million, highlighting increased scrutiny of those seeking entry into Europe’s visa-free travel zone.
Applicants Lose €145 Million from Schengen Visa Rejections in 2024
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2024 Schengen Visa Applications Overview
The European Union received a record 11.7 million Schengen visa applications in 2024, marking a 13.4% increase from the previous year. Applicants paid around €995.9 million in total visa fees, significantly up from €826 million collected in 2023. This fee growth was partly due to a visa fee increase from €80 to €90 in June 2024.
Out of all applications, 1.7 million were rejected — an increase of 4.4% compared to the previous year — resulting in a cumulative loss of €145 million in non-refundable fees.
The nations most affected by rejections included China, Türkiye, India, and Morocco:
China — 1.7 million applications, 80,703 rejections, resulting in a €6.8 million loss;
Türkiye — 1.17 million applications, 170,129 rejections, amounting to €14.5 million lost;
India — 1.1 million applications, 165,266 rejections, resulting in a €14 million loss;
Morocco — 606,800 applications, 115,774 rejections, leading to a €9.8 million loss.
How to enter the Schengen Area without needing a visa?
Several Schengen Area countries offer third-country nationals the opportunity to obtain a Golden Visa — a residence permit granted in exchange for investment. Such visas eliminate uncertainties associated with standard visa applications, providing stable residency and seamless travel across the Schengen Area.
Most popular EU Golden Visa countries are the following:
Portugal grants residence permits to applicants investing in funds, local business, and research or cultural projects;
Greece offers residency within 4+ months for investments of at least €250,000, with the possibility to invest in local real estate;
Malta provides life-long permanent residency after investing a minimum of €182,000;
Italy offers flexible options such as investing in startups, existing businesses, government bonds, or making donations;
Hungary offers 10-year residency — the longest among the EU countries — for investments of €250,000+.
Download our complete guide to learn everything you need about 9 popular Golden Visa programs.
Benefits
Investment options
Eligibility requirements
Processing times
