Why Germany remains the best option for a multiple-entry Schengen Visa in 2024?

For travellers seeking a short-term visa that allows them to enter the Schengen Area countries more than once, if reports are to go by, Germany presents the best opportunity.

Despite being the second most popular Schengen destination, Germany’s issuance rates for multiple-entry visas have remained remarkably high.

According to the latest Schengen Visa Statistics, in 2023, 90.4% of the visas issued by German consulates were for multiple entries, a mere 0.2 percentage point decrease from the previous year’s rate of 90.6%. This means that out of the 1,459,560 visa applications received by Germany in 2023, a remarkable number of 1,115,424 applicants were granted multiple-entry visas.

Germany’s high rate of multiple-entry visa issuance stands out, especially when compared to the overall Schengen Area average. Well, reports also suggest that while Germany leads the way, there are several other Schengen countries that have also maintained relatively high shares of multiple-entry visas granted.

Austria, for instance, is listed as the second-highest issuer, with 75.7% of its visas in 2023 being for multiple entries. Out of the 194,273 visas approved by Austria, 147,021 were multiple-entry.

Italy, the third-highest, granted multiple-entry visas to 70.2% of its visa beneficiaries in 2023, equating to 680,794 out of 970,073 total visas issued.

Beyond the high issuance rates, Germany also stands out for its relatively low visa rejection rate. Reportedly, in 2023, only 14.3% of visa applications received by Germany were rejected, which is lower than the overall Schengen average of 16%. This rate was even lower than Germany’s own 2022 rejection rate of 16.2%, while the Schengen-wide rejection rate in 2022 was 17.9%.

These statistics highlight the advantages that travellers may experience when applying for a Schengen visa through Germany. With its consistently high rates of multiple-entry visa issuance and a relatively low rejection rate, Germany presents the best chance for obtaining a short-term visa that allows for multiple entries into the Schengen Area.

For individuals seeking the flexibility and convenience of a multiple-entry Schengen visa, applying through the German consular authorities appears to be the most promising option, given the country’s impressive track record in this regard.