Which Schengen Country Is Easiest for Pakistanis? 2026 Rejection Rates Compared

Published July 25, 2026 · by Hijrat — visa consultants, Islamabad & Rawalpindi

Almost every week someone walks into our Aabpara office and asks the same question: "Which Schengen country is easiest to get?" The honest answer is that no European visa is "easy" for a Pakistani passport right now — Schengen states refused roughly 46% of Pakistani applications in 2025, turning down 40,199 files in a single year. But the numbers also show that where you apply, and how well your file is prepared, makes a real difference.

What the 2025 numbers say

According to visa data compiled from 2025 figures, Schengen countries rejected just over 40,000 Pakistani short-stay applications, a refusal rate of about 46% — almost identical to the UK's 44% visitor-visa refusal rate for Pakistanis in the same year. Combined, UK and Schengen refusals cost Pakistani applicants an estimated Rs. 4.56 billion in non-refundable fees. That is money lost before anyone boards a plane, which is exactly why choosing the right embassy and submitting a clean file matters so much.

Which countries approve more Pakistani applicants?

Country-by-country data for Pakistani applicants (latest full-year European Commission figures, 2024) shows a wide spread. Austria was by far the hardest, refusing about 83% of Pakistani applications. Malta (around 38%), Estonia (27%), Belgium (25%) and Sweden (24%) were also on the tougher end. At the other end, Germany refused roughly 14%, France and the Czech Republic around 16%, and Switzerland about 12% — while tiny volumes to countries like Iceland produced very low refusal rates that say little for the average applicant. In practice, the large processors — Germany, France, Italy, Spain and the Czech Republic — approve the majority of well-documented Pakistani files.

The "main destination" rule — you can't just pick the easiest

A Schengen visa application must be lodged with the country that is your main destination (where you will spend the most nights), or the country of first entry if your stay is split evenly. Booking a "soft" embassy with a fake itinerary is one of the fastest routes to refusal — consulates check hotel bookings and travel history, and a refusal is recorded in the shared VIS system. The smarter strategy is to build a genuine itinerary around a destination whose consulate processes Pakistani files efficiently, and then document it properly.

Fees and the new border rules in 2026

The standard short-stay (Type C) visa fee is €90 per adult and €45 for children aged 6–11. Since 10 April 2026, the EU's Entry/Exit System (EES) is fully operational: passports are no longer stamped, and fingerprints and a facial image are captured at the border. One common confusion worth clearing up — ETIAS does not apply to Pakistanis. ETIAS is only for visa-exempt nationalities; Pakistani passport holders will continue to need a full Schengen visa.

How to cut your rejection risk

Most Pakistani refusals come down to documentation and doubts about return, not nationality alone. Before you apply:

1. Show clear, consistent bank statements — sudden large deposits raise red flags.
2. Prove strong ties to Pakistan: employment letter, business registration, property, family.
3. Match every booking to your stated itinerary and main destination.
4. Use certified translations for Urdu documents and proper attestation where required.
5. Apply early — summer appointment slots in Islamabad fill weeks ahead.

A well-prepared file at a "average" consulate beats a weak file at an "easy" one, every time. Our team prepares complete Schengen visa files — cover letter, itinerary, financials and supporting documents — before anything goes to the embassy.

Visa rules, fees and refusal statistics change frequently, and every decision rests solely with the relevant embassy or consulate. This article reflects information available on the date of publication — always confirm current requirements with Hijrat or the official mission before applying.