The European Union granted more than 606,000 visas to Moroccan citizens in 2024, the highest on record and a clear sign of warmer ties, according to data current as of August 21, 2025. The bloc issued 606,000 visas to Moroccans in 2024, a 2.6% rise from 2023, while the refusal rate stayed below 20% at 19.08% based on Schengen statistics. For many families, students, and business travelers, this means easier trips and fewer stalled plans.
Key country figures and trends
- France led approvals, issuing approximately 284,000 visas to Moroccan nationals in 2024—up 17% over the previous year—and posting the highest approval rate for Moroccan applicants at 87.69%, making it the most accessible Schengen destination for this group.
- Spain handled a large caseload but rejected 47,495 out of 282,153 applications.
- Romania saw the fewest Moroccan filings, with only 305 applications in 2024.
Moroccan residents filed 606,800 Schengen visa applications last year, representing 5.21% of all requests worldwide.
Financial footprint and operational impact
- Applicants spent an estimated €48.5 million on Schengen visa fees and service charges in 2024.
- About €9.26 million was effectively lost on rejected cases.
- These numbers reflect demand scale, cost pressure on households, and the workload carried by EU consulates and outsourcing providers such as VFS Global and TLScontact.
Policy context and diplomatic reset
The surge follows a clear thaw in EU–Morocco relations, especially with France, after a period of strained ties in 2021–2022 when approvals fell and public frustration grew. Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita has underscored the recent improvement, noting that both sides showed the political will to fix problems and support mobility. The 2024 approvals suggest a strong reset after years when many Moroccans felt shut out.
Rabat continues to push for faster and more transparent handling. Moroccan authorities have asked EU embassies and consulates to:
- Publish clear rules
- Cut delays
- Treat urgent humanitarian, medical, and education cases with care
- Take stronger action against illegal intermediaries who prey on applicants
These fixes matter on the ground: families making last-minute medical trips, students rushing to register before deadlines, and small business owners trying to attend trade fairs can’t afford long waits or unclear instructions.
Morocco frames visa policy as a sovereign choice, guided by reciprocity and the overall health of bilateral ties. For now, Morocco’s own policy toward European visitors remains unchanged: EU citizens can still enter visa-free for up to 90 days. European officials view the higher issuance as evidence of improved cooperation with a key North African partner on travel, trade, and regional stability.
The 2024 approvals suggest a strong reset after years when many Moroccans felt shut out.
What applicants should know for 2025
Moroccan nationals still need a Schengen visa to visit the European Union. The EU’s Electronic Travel Authorization (ETIAS), set to begin in May 2025, applies only to travelers who are already visa-exempt, so ETIAS will not change the process for Moroccans.
How the short-stay (Type C) Schengen visa process generally works
- Fill out the Application for Schengen Visa and print it. You can use the official EU form here: Application for Schengen Visa (European Commission PDF).
- Gather your documents: a valid passport, proof of funds, travel insurance, flight and lodging plans, and any letters supporting your trip.
- Book an appointment with the relevant consulate or a visa application center (most use VFS Global or TLScontact in Morocco).
- Pay the fee. As of June 2024, the standard short-stay fee is €80 plus any service fees. Fees can change, so check the latest schedule.
- Attend your appointment, provide biometrics, and submit the file.
- Wait for a decision. Processing times vary; Moroccan officials continue to ask EU posts to keep timelines reasonable, especially for urgent cases.
For authoritative guidance on Schengen short-stay visas, see the European Commission’s official page: EU Immigration and Home Affairs – Schengen visa policy.
Practical tips and common categories
- Many Moroccans apply for short-stay visas for tourism, family visits, or business meetings.
- Long-stay visas (study, work, family reunification) have different rules and must be filed with the host country.
- Avoid unofficial brokers; use only listed centers and official consulate websites.
- Keep copies of all documents and be ready to explain the purpose of travel, funding source, and plan to return.
Human impact and costs
The human impact behind the numbers is real. Students heading to universities in Paris, Lyon, Madrid, or Brussels benefit from higher approval rates and clearer pathways. Parents can plan trips to meet newborn grandchildren without fearing last-minute rejection. Small importers can attend European trade shows, sign supply deals, and bring goods home on time.
At the same time, costs remain significant:
- A family of four could easily pay over €320 in filing fees alone, not counting service charges, travel insurance, and document costs.
- If a case is refused, filing fees are not refunded.
- Applicants often feel they are paying for a result they can’t control, especially when appointments are scarce or processing takes longer than expected.
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, France remains the most straightforward option for many Moroccan travelers based on 2024 approvals, while some smaller Schengen states—such as Malta or Croatia—tend to show higher refusal rates. Travelers with flexible plans sometimes choose their entry country with those approval patterns in mind, even if their final destination is elsewhere in the Schengen Area.
Broader context and outlook
In 2021–2022, visa issuance to Moroccans fell amid diplomatic disputes, prompting calls inside Morocco for reciprocal measures. The rebound in 2024 shows how quickly mobility can recover when relations improve.
The Moroccan passport climbed to 67th place in the 2025 Henley ranking, with visa-free access to 73 countries (not including the Schengen Area), reflecting gradual progress for travelers.
Looking ahead to 2025, officials on both sides are expected to continue working on:
- Smoother systems
- More digital tools
- Clearer public information
- Measures to curb unlawful middlemen
None of these steps changes the basic rule—Moroccans still need a Schengen visa—but better systems can cut stress, reduce costs, and lower the risk of mistakes.
Practical takeaways:
– Apply early—at least a few weeks before your trip.
– Make sure every document is complete and clear.
– Use only the official Application for Schengen Visa and official booking channels.
– Keep copies of everything and be ready to explain travel purpose, funding, and return plans.
With approvals at record levels and the refusal rate under one in five, well-prepared files stand a solid chance.
This Article in a Nutshell
Record 606,000 Schengen visas to Moroccans in 2024 signal improved EU–Morocco ties. France led with 284,000 approvals. Costs reached €48.5 million; €9.26 million lost to rejections. Applicants still need Schengen visas; ETIAS (May 2025) won’t change Moroccan requirements. Apply early, use official channels, and prepare complete documents.
