These Are the Top Schengen Countries That Issue Most Multiple-Entry Visas

The Multiple-Entry Visas (MEVs) are type C visas that allow holders to visit the Schengen States for 90 days within the 180-day period. These visas can be valid for up to five years.

The Schengen States are not the most generous when it comes to MEVs, as fewer of those are granted on an annual basis. In 2023, Germany granted 1.1 million MEVs, representing the country that issued most MEVs, VisaGuide.World reports.

According to SchengenVisaInfo Statistics Portal, the total number of MEVs granted in 2023 was 4.6 million, out of 10.3 million visa applications recorded. Approximately 54.2 percent of issued visas by Schengen States in 2023, were multiple-entry visas.

5 Schengen States That Granted Most MEVs in 2023

In 2023, visa applicants were less likely to obtain an MEV, compared to 2022 when the share of MEVs issued was 58.1 percent. Regardless, countries that granted most of these visas have remained the same.

These are the top five Schengen countries that issued the most multiple-entry visas (MEVs) in 2023:

1. Germany granted 1.1 million MEVs
2. France (791,417)
3. Italy (680,794)
4. Switzerland (349,862)
5. Greece (344,668)

The number of visa applications filed impacts the number of MEVs issued – the more visa applications a country receives, the more MEVs will be issued.

These Schengen States Were More Likely to Issue MEVs Last Year

Based on the number of MEVs granted in proportion to the number of visas issued, the Schengen states in Central Europe stand out.

Here are five Schengen states that were more likely to grant multiple-entry visas in 2023:

1. Germany, with the share of MEVs, compared to all visas granted being 90.4 percent.
2. Austria (75.7 percent)
3. Italy (70.20 percent)
4. Switzerland (69.10 percent)
5. Greece (66.10 percent)

• These 10 Countries Received 89% of Schengen Visa Requests in 2023

7.2% of All MEVs Were Issued to Turks

Nationalities that received the most MEVs in 2023 mainly include those that had the highest application rates. Based on the number of multiple-entry visas granted, these are the nationalities that were granted most MEVs in 2023:

1. Turks (612,841)
2. Indians (505,053)
3. Chinese (435,623)
4. Saudi Arabs (357,508)
5. Moroccans (233,018)

Applicants from Türkiye have received 7.2 percent of the 4.6 million MEVs issued while Germany was the country that granted most visas to this nationality – 21.5 percent of the total number.

Like Turkish applicants, the Chinese obtained most MEVs from Germany – 35.2 percent of all visas received. The share of MEVs compared to all approved visas by Germany in 2023 for Turkish and Chinese nationals was 73.9 and 97.2 percent, respectively.

Switzerland granted most MEVs to Indian applicants, issuing 32.55 percent of all received multiple-entry visas that this nationality group obtained. The share of MEVs was 88 percent.

France issued most MEVs to Moroccans, with the share of approved MEVs being 81.3 percent. In addition, France granted 57.7 percent of all MEVs Moroccans received in 2023.

Saudi Arabs were granted most visas from France in 2023. One-third (33 percent) of all MEVs that Saudis received last year, were issued by France. The share of MEVs compared to issued visas of Saudis to France was 92 percent.

• China Is the Largest Source of Schengen Visa Applications for 2023

Kosovar Applicants Were Most Likely to Obtain a MEV in 2023

The percentage share of multiple-entry visas compared to all visas granted, was the highest for nationals of certain countries. As a result, some nationalities are more likely to be issued a MEV than others.

These are the top five nationalities that were most likely to obtain a multiple-entry visa (MEV) in 2023:

1. Kosovars (95 percent of all visas received were MEVs)
2. Bahrainis (91.3 percent)
3. Saudis (89.8 percent)
4. Belarusians (87.3 percent)
5. Omanis (86.8 percent)

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