Key Takeaways
• Spain received about 1.6 million Schengen visa applications in 2024, second only to France.
• Chinese, Argentine, and Moroccan travelers dominate Spain’s rising visa application numbers.
• Spain’s Schengen visa rejection rate dropped to 15.7%, lower than 2023 but stricter for some groups.
Spain 🇪🇸 is seeing a sharp rise in visits from travelers around the world, especially from Argentina 🇦🇷, China 🇨🇳, Morocco 🇲🇦, and other non-European countries. In 2024, Schengen visa applications hit record highs, reflecting big changes in global travel patterns after the COVID-19 lockdowns. This article sets out to explain what’s happening, why Spain 🇪🇸 is so popular, who is traveling, and what this trend means for visitors, tourism, and local communities.
Spain’s Place in Schengen Visa Demand
In 2024, countries in the Schengen Area—which lets people travel freely across much of Europe—received 11.7 million visa applications. This was a 13.5% jump compared to 2023, but still below the 2019 peak, before the pandemic, when nearly 17 million people applied.
Spain 🇪🇸 was the second most popular country for Schengen visa applications, overtaking Germany for the first time ever. Only France 🇫🇷 had more applications. Specifically, Spain 🇪🇸 received about 1.6 million visa applications in 2024. According to data reported by VisaVerge.com, this shift marks a new chapter for Spain 🇪🇸 as a leading choice for travel in Europe.
These numbers show just how high the interest in Spain 🇪🇸 has become among travelers from outside the European Union. Many people, from cities in Argentina 🇦🇷 to major areas in China 🇨🇳 and Morocco 🇲🇦, are picking Spain 🇪🇸 for tourism, business, and to visit family or friends.
Who’s Applying For Schengen Visas To Spain?
When it comes to travelers seeking a Spain 🇪🇸 visa, the top groups are diverse:
- Chinese applicants filed 254,571 visa requests for Spain 🇪🇸, making up one of the largest individual groups.
- Travelers from Argentina 🇦🇷 and other parts of South America are increasingly choosing Spain 🇪🇸. Many feel a strong link because of the shared language, cultural history, and family ties.
- Meanwhile, Morocco 🇲🇦 remains a major source of visitors. Over 3.5 million Moroccans traveled to Spain 🇪🇸 in the past year alone.
There is also growing interest from Russia 🇷🇺, Costa Rica 🇨🇷, Mexico 🇲🇽, Uruguay 🇺🇾, and Guatemala 🇬🇹. This signals that Spain’s draw goes far beyond its closest neighbors.
Reasons By Region
- Argentina 🇦🇷: Travel from Argentina 🇦🇷 bounced back strongly after borders reopened. Many Argentinians visit for leisure and cultural reasons, enjoying Spain’s food, music, and art. Travelers from Argentina 🇦🇷 also benefit as Chinese visitors get easier access, which boosts connectivity and travel choices across Spain.
- China 🇨🇳: China 🇨🇳 remains a key market. More than a quarter-million Chinese travelers sought Spanish visas in 2024, with fewer restrictions making Europe an even more appealing destination.
- Morocco 🇲🇦: Morocco 🇲🇦 is not just Europe’s neighbor across the Mediterranean. There are deep-rooted cultural, economic, and family bonds. As air links and visits have increased, so have the visa applications.
Why Are More People Traveling to Spain?
Several things are causing this boom in travel and Schengen visa applications for Spain 🇪🇸:
- Shared Culture and Language: For Latin Americans, including people from Argentina 🇦🇷, Spain 🇪🇸 feels familiar. They speak the same language and share many customs. This makes travel easier and more comfortable.
- Economic Growth: In China 🇨🇳 and in some African countries, people now have more money to spend on international trips. Many are seeing Europe as a “must-visit” place, and Spain 🇪🇸 is at the top of their lists.
- End of COVID-19 Restrictions: When borders started reopening in late 2023 and into 2024, many people felt ready to travel again. There was a lot of “pent-up” demand—meaning people waited a long time and then wanted to travel as soon as they could.
- Better Air Connections: Airlines added more flights. Royal Air Maroc, for example, increased departures between Morocco 🇲🇦 and Spain 🇪🇸 because so many wanted to visit. Air capacity in general between Western Europe and Morocco 🇲🇦 went up a lot year over year.
These reasons are supported by statistics and public statements from tourism authorities. For instance, a source quoted on this trend says:
“Demand for Schengen visas has surged… reflecting a strong resurgence of interest for tourism, business, and family travel across Europe.”
The Visa Approval Process: What Are The Chances?
While more people are applying, not everyone gets their visa. In 2024, the overall rejection rate for Schengen visas dropped to 14.8%. This was an improvement from the 16% seen in 2023 and was the lowest since before the pandemic. Still, not all countries have the same approval rates.
- Spain 🇪🇸 had a rejection rate of 15.7% in 2024, slightly higher than Germany’s 13.7%, and about the same as France.
- In real numbers, Spain 🇪🇸 denied about a quarter-million (roughly 250,000) of its 1.6 million applicants.
- Some groups, especially from certain regions, face bigger hurdles. Nearly half of all applicants from some backgrounds are denied a Schengen visa to Spain 🇪🇸 or other Schengen member countries. This is often due to strict checks or incomplete paperwork.
Getting a Schengen visa requires several steps. Applicants must show why they want to travel, have travel insurance, proof of income, and other documents. If you want to check the exact rules or which documents you need, you can visit the official European Commission website page about Schengen visa policy.
What Does This Mean for Travelers?
For many, the process is smoother than before, especially as embassies catch up with the increased demand and technology makes it easier to lodge applications online. However, high demand can mean longer wait times for an appointment or a decision. Some applicants also need to provide more paperwork, especially if they are from countries considered “higher risk” for overstaying visas.
Regional Focus: Why Spain Is So Popular With Key Markets
The pull of Spain 🇪🇸 is not just about sunny beaches or famous cities. It is shaped by long-standing personal and family histories, business ties, study programs, and deep friendships between nations.
Argentina 🇦🇷 and South America
Many people in Argentina 🇦🇷 have Spanish ancestors. Immigration from Spain 🇪🇸 to Argentina 🇦🇷 happened over many decades, so families often have relatives on both sides of the Atlantic. This strengthens the desire to visit, study, or do business in Spain 🇪🇸. In the current rebound, this trend is clear: travelers from Argentina 🇦🇷 are coming back in big numbers, using cultural links and shared language to make trips more enjoyable and affordable.
China 🇨🇳
Chinese travelers now find it easier to visit Spain 🇪🇸 and Europe. Travel agencies and direct flights make booking simpler. As more Chinese people see travel as a way to learn and have fun, Spain 🇪🇸 benefits. The numbers—over 250,000 applications in 2024—back this up.
Morocco 🇲🇦
Morocco 🇲🇦 and Spain 🇪🇸 share both a border and long economic ties. Each year, millions cross between the two countries, for school, family visits, or trade. The increase in direct flights, especially since 2023, means that visiting Spain 🇪🇸 for Moroccans is now more practical and affordable than ever.
Wider Global Patterns
Spain 🇪🇸 is not alone in seeing these international patterns, but it stands out for its rapid growth. France 🇫🇷 remains the largest recipient of Schengen visas, with more than 3 million applications in 2024, but Spain’s sharp climb is unique.
Other countries—such as Italy 🇮🇹 and Germany 🇩🇪—also saw big increases, but not as dramatic. The competition between European destinations means each country wants to attract both tourists and longer-term visitors, making visas as accessible, yet safe, as possible.
Impacts: What Do These Trends Mean?
For Travelers
- Choice and Convenience: Increased flights and easier online applications give more options.
- Family and Culture: People from countries like Argentina 🇦🇷 and Morocco 🇲🇦 can see family, explore roots, or do business.
- More Paperwork: Some applicants still face tough requirements or long waits, especially where fraud and overstays are a concern.
For Spain 🇪🇸
- Tourism Boost: More visitors help hotels, restaurants, and local businesses recover from the pandemic downturn.
- Diversity: Spain 🇪🇸 becomes even more vibrant, with different cultures mixing in its cities and resorts.
- Work and Study: These trends may also bring more students and skilled workers who fill gaps in the economy.
For The Schengen Area
- Balancing Security and Openness: Authorities continue to screen applications to stop overstays, but also want to keep travel welcoming. Approval and rejection rates will be closely watched as numbers rise.
- Pressure on Consulates: More applications mean more work. Extra staff and better technology are being used to handle the volume.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next?
If these trends keep up through 2025, Spain 🇪🇸 is on track to stay near the top of the global wish list for travelers. But the country—and the wider Schengen Area—will need to keep finding ways to balance high demand with careful border checks.
- Application numbers could hit new highs, especially if more Chinese and Latin American travelers return.
- Approval rates may remain steady, or even improve, as embassies adjust.
- Competition between countries may lead to more efforts to make applying for a Schengen visa easier and more predictable.
Whether you’re from Argentina 🇦🇷, China 🇨🇳, Morocco 🇲🇦, or elsewhere, the message is clear: Spain 🇪🇸 is wide open and more connected globally than ever before. For anyone planning a visit, being aware of the latest visa procedures is key, and official pages like the European Commission’s Schengen visa policy portal are essential resources.
As reported by VisaVerge.com, Spain’s strong position isn’t just a number game. It shows a true comeback for global mobility. As international travel becomes smoother again, Spain 🇪🇸—with its deep roots to Latin America, easy links to North Africa, and growing appeal in Asia—is set to be a top destination for years to come.
Summary: Spain 🇪🇸 is experiencing a travel wave from countries like Argentina 🇦🇷, China 🇨🇳, and Morocco 🇲🇦 amid Schengen visa growth. The country’s unique mix of culture, history, and easy travel options is making it one of Europe’s favorites once again. While visa approval is not automatic and rules remain strict for some, the general trend is positive. Anyone interested in seeing Spain 🇪🇸 or exploring the wider Schengen Area should prepare early, stay informed, and expect a warm welcome in one of Europe’s most beloved destinations.
Learn Today
Schengen visa → A short-stay visa allowing free travel across Schengen Area countries for up to 90 days.
Visa rejection rate → Percentage of visa applications denied by authorities during the approval process.
Pent-up demand → Accumulated desire to travel after long restrictions, leading to a surge in applications.
Visa application → The formal request submitted to authorities to obtain permission to enter a country.
Embassies → Official diplomatic offices representing a country in foreign nations, processing visa applications.
This Article in a Nutshell
Spain is becoming a top Schengen visa destination with 1.6 million applications in 2024. Cultural ties and eased travel boost visits from Argentina, China, and Morocco. Though approval rates improve, some applicants face strict scrutiny. Spain’s global appeal signals robust tourism and business growth post-pandemic.
— By VisaVerge.com
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• Spain Schengen Business Visa: What You Need to Know Before Applying
