Italy and Spain are top choices for Schengen visa applicants, offering rich art, culture, and unique experiences. While Italy is known for its food, Spain stands out for its beautiful beaches.
In 2023, Spain received 1.4 million visa applications, ranking third among Schengen countries, while Italy followed with 1.1 million applications. Before the pandemic, Italy was more popular, with over 2 million applications in 2019. However, Spain has taken the lead since 2020.
Spain mainly attracts applicants from South America, while Italy is preferred by those from Bangladesh, Libya, and Ethiopia. Although Spain gets more applications, Italy has higher approval rates, reaching up to 92%, compared to Spain’s 77.4% in 2023.
