Over 42,000 Schengen Visa Applications Filed in Croatia’s First Year as Member State
Croatia Emerges as a Key Schengen Visa Hub in Its First Year of Membership
In 2024, Croatia began receiving Schengen visa applications for the first time as the newest member of the Schengen Area. Despite being a recent addition, the country quickly became a notable destination for visa applicants, receiving more requests than nine other Schengen member states.
Over 42,000 Visa Applications in 2024
According to official data, Croatia received a total of 42,165 Schengen visa applications in its debut year. Of these, 33,441 visas were approved, marking an approval rate of 79.3%. However, the country also reported a relatively high rejection rate of 19.3%, with 8,003 applications denied.
This places Croatia as the seventh Schengen country with the highest visa rejection rate, trailing behind Denmark, Sweden, Slovenia, Belgium, Estonia, and Malta. While the EU average visa rejection rate was 14.8%, Croatia exceeded this benchmark, rejecting nearly one in five applications.
Visa Demand in Croatia Surpasses Expectations
Despite processing just 0.3% of the 11.7 million total Schengen visa applications submitted in 2024, Croatia’s visa statistics indicate growing interest. With more applications than nine other Schengen countries, Croatia appears poised to become an increasingly attractive gateway for travelers seeking entry into the EU.
Top Nationalities Applying for Croatian Schengen Visas in 2024
China
Applications: 8,125
Approved: 7,838
Approval Rate: 96.4%
South Africa
Applications: 5,396
Approved: 4,530
Approval Rate: 83.9%
Turkey
Applications: 4,655
Approved: 3,240
Approval Rate: ~70%
Indonesia
Applications: 3,300
Approved: 3,024
Rejected: 231
Approval Rate: ~91.6%
India
Applications: 2,315
Approved: 1,676
Rejected: 606
Approval Rate: ~72.4%
Looking Ahead
Croatia’s early performance as a Schengen visa-issuing country underscores its growing role in EU travel and migration networks. With high interest from key countries like China, South Africa, and Turkey, and increasing visa processing capacity, Croatia is likely to continue rising in importance for travelers and businesses alike.
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