Morocco Ranks 4th Globally in Schengen Visa Applications, EU Data Shows

11,716,723 Schengen visa applications were submitted to EU countries’ visa centers in 2024, representing an overall increase of 13.5% compared to the previous year. Despite this increase from 2023, the total number of Schengen visa applications remains significantly lower than pre-Covid-19 pandemic levels (nearly 17 million in 2019).

Morocco ranks fourth in the top 10 countries of origin for applicants behind China, India, and Turkey, and ahead of Russia, formerly the largest group of Schengen visa applicants.

France is once again the favorite destination for Schengen visa applicants, with more than a quarter of applications submitted worldwide received by its visa centers. With 282,153 applications, Moroccans constitute the second largest group of visa applicants for France in 2024, after Algeria.

With 1.6 million applications, Spain has replaced Germany as the second most popular destination. Once ranked first or second, Germany has dropped to become the third most sought-after Schengen destination by visa applicants worldwide, with 1.5 million applications in 2024.

Regarding rejected applications, France and Spain have the same rate, higher than average, at 15.7%. Germany had a rate of 13.7%. In 2024, Chinese applicants were the largest group for Spain and Germany, with 254,571 and 263,088 applications respectively.