Top 10 Countries That Spent Most On Schengen Visas in 2022

The year 2022 witnessed a significant surge in international travel aspirations, with countless individuals seeking access to the Schengen Area – a passport-free zone spanning over 26 European countries. Central to this pursuit are Schengen Visas, which come with a price tag that varies across different nationalities.

As the fiscal year concluded, a comprehensive analysis unveils the top 10 countries that exhibited the highest expenditures for Schengen Visa fees, shedding light on intriguing financial trends.

Schengen Visa Expenditures: Top 10 Countries of 2022

1. Turkey

Topping the charts is Turkey, where eager travellers expended a staggering €62.2 million exclusively on Schengen Visa applications. This robust financial commitment underscores Turkey’s fervent interest in accessing the Schengen Area, setting the tone for the countries that follow.

2. Russia

In the second place, Russia exhibited its commitment to cross-border mobility with an expenditure of approximately €55 million on Schengen Visa applications.

3. India

Trailing closely behind Russia, India showcased its dedication with an expenditure of €53.7 million on Schengen Visa applications. India and Russia, these two nations, alongside Turkey, collectively filed over 2.1 million visa applications, creating a significant financial footprint.

4. Algeria

While Algeria may not have filed the most visa applications, it stands out with the highest losses due to application denials. Algerians expended a substantial €31.3 million on Schengen Visa applications, but a significant €14.3 million was lost as a result of 179,409 denied applications. This duality highlights the financial risk applicants face in pursuit of European travel.

5. Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia demonstrated a notable commitment, contributing €28.6 million to Schengen Visa application expenditures.

6. United Kingdom

The United Kingdom showcased its interest in European travel, investing €22.5 million in Schengen Visa applications.

7. Thailand

Thailand contributed to the global spectrum of Schengen Visa expenditure, with a financial commitment of €16.6 million.

8. United Arab Emirates (UAE)

Emiratis joined the pursuit, accounting for €28.3 million in visa application expenditures.

9. Tunisia

Tunisians also participated, contributing to the collective financial landscape with an expenditure of €28.3 million. It is important to note that Tunisia faced a higher share of losses due to application denials, with 48,909 rejected applications resulting in losses totalling €3.9 million.

10. Morocco

Closing the list, Morocco emerges as a significant player with notable expenditure and rejection rates. Of all applications submitted by Moroccan nationals, 28.2 per cent were denied, culminating in €9.5 million in losses. This serves as a reminder of the complexities applicants encounter in their pursuit of Schengen Visas.

Final Words

In the realm of international travel, Schengen Visas serve as gateways to new horizons. The financial landscape of 2022 sheds light on the diverse financial commitments and challenges faced by applicants from various corners of the world.

As nations aspire to engage in seamless cross-border mobility, the interplay of expenditure, rejection rates, and aspirations paints a comprehensive picture of the global pursuit of Schengen visas.