Germany Issued 1.29 Million Schengen Visas in 2024 as Demand Surged from China and Turkey

Germany remained one of Europe’s most sought-after Schengen destinations in 2024, issuing over 1.29 million visas amid a 3.6% rise in applications. The country received 1.5 million Schengen visa applications, maintaining its third-place position in overall volume, even as Spain overtook it in total submissions.

According to newly released figures by SchengenVisaInfo, Germany handled 12.9% of all Schengen visa requests globally, out of 11.7 million applications filed in 2024. The country’s visa approval rate climbed to 85.41%, up from 84.52% in 2023.

Application Growth: Germany Remains a Pillar of the Schengen System

German consulates around the world processed a growing number of applications in 2024, amid a post-pandemic rebound in travel and student mobility. Although Germany dropped to third place behind France and Spain, its increase in approval volume and consistent processing rates point to a stable and trusted visa system.

The 4.7% increase in issued visas year-over-year reflects both strong demand and confidence in German administration, despite growing geopolitical and migration pressures across Europe.

Top 10 Nationalities Applying for German Visas in 2024

Out of 161 countries filing Schengen visa applications, Germany accepted requests from 124 different nationalities. The top contributors include:

China – 263,088 applications (17.3%)

Türkiye – 215,506 (14.24%)

India – 142,955 (9.4%)

Egypt – 52,442 (3.4%)

Belarus – 51,841 (3.4%)

Kazakhstan – 45,094 (2.98%)

Saudi Arabia – 43,883 (2.90%)

Thailand – 39,497 (2.61%)

Iran – 39,146 (2.58%)

United Arab Emirates – 32,956 (2.17%)

Where Are Visa Approvals Most Likely?

Germany proved to be one of the most welcoming countries in terms of approval rates:

Hong Kong: 99.53% (2,333 approved out of 2,344)

Madagascar: 98.92%

Belarus: 97.33%

Singapore: 96.55%

China: 96.36%

This reinforces Germany’s position as a favored destination for business travelers, students, and skilled professionals, especially from high-trust countries.

Germany as the #1 Destination for Select Countries

Some countries submitted the vast majority—or even all—of their Schengen applications to Germany:

Botswana: 100% (1,633 out of 1,633 applications)

Lithuania: 98.68% (75 of 76)

Namibia: 56.21% (2,877 of 5,118)

Mongolia: 54.36% (11,953 of 21,987)

Nepal: 53.97% (4,219 of 7,817)

Germany's draw among applicants from Africa and Asia stems from strong bilateral ties, university access, and robust job markets for healthcare, IT, and engineering.

Broader Implications for European Migration Strategy

As the Schengen area grapples with rising irregular migration and digital transition of visa systems, Germany remains a cornerstone of orderly, high-volume mobility in Europe. Analysts expect demand to grow further in 2025, particularly from India, Türkiye, and China.

Germany’s approval performance could position it as a model for balancing border security with economic openness—a rare mix as migration becomes a key political issue across the EU.