Malta Ranked Hardest Schengen Country To Get A Visa In For 2025

Malta has topped a new ranking of Schengen countries with the highest visa rejection rates, making it the most difficult destination in the border-free zone for applicants seeking entry.

According to the latest European Commission data, Malta recorded a visa rejection rate of 38.4% in 2025, the highest among all Schengen member states and significantly above the overall Schengen average of 14.8%.

The figures come as nearly 12 million Schengen visa applications were processed across Europe last year, with demand continuing to rise despite stricter screening procedures.

Malta’s rejection rate places it well ahead of the second-highest country on the list, Belgium, which recorded a rejection rate of 26.1%.

The report suggests that Malta’s position is linked to a combination of high demand and strict scrutiny of applications, particularly during peak tourism periods.

Applicants seeking entry through Malta reportedly face particularly detailed assessments of their travel plans, accommodation bookings and financial documentation.

Weak travel itineraries, incomplete hotel reservations and insufficient proof of funds were cited among the most common reasons applications are rejected.

The island’s popularity as a Mediterranean tourist destination has continued to attract large numbers of visitors, but the data indicates that securing a Schengen visa through Malta has become increasingly challenging compared to other European countries.

Elsewhere on the list, Estonia, Sweden, Portugal and Denmark also featured among the countries with the highest rejection rates.

Meanwhile, Norway recorded the lowest rejection rate among the ten countries listed, at 15.7%.

The figures are likely to spark discussion about Malta’s visa policies and whether the country has become overly restrictive compared to other destinations within the Schengen Area.

What do you make of Malta topping the list?

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Gabriel Falzon

Gabriel Falzon is a social media executive at Lovin Malta, with a keen interest in digital media, local businesses, and the natural world. Outside of work, you’ll often find him baking up a storm, diving into video games, or exploring the endless corners of YouTube.