Is the visa success rate and rejection rate higher for European countries like Italy in Europe/Malta?
No, not all European countries are the same. Italy has one of the highest Schengen success rates at around 88 to 89 percent, while Malta is the hardest, rejecting close to 38 percent. If you visit both equally, apply through Italy to boost your approval odds.
You are right that visa outcomes vary sharply across Europe, so lumping Italy and Malta together would give you the wrong picture. Italy is one of the most accommodating Schengen states, while Malta is consistently the hardest to crack. Let me show you the exact numbers so you can plan your application smartly.
Italy vs Malta Schengen Visa Performance
| Metric | Italy | Malta |
|---|---|---|
| Approval rate | Around 88 to 89 percent | Around 61 to 63 percent |
| Rejection rate | Around 11 to 12 percent | Around 37 to 38 percent |
| Application volume | Very high, over 1 million | Low to moderate, around 54,000 |
| Difficulty level | One of the easiest | The hardest Schengen state |
Why the Two Countries Differ So Much
| Factor | What it means for you |
|---|---|
| Processing capacity | Italy handles over a million applications yearly with a wide VFS network, so officers know standard profiles well |
| Malta screening | A tiny consular team applies extreme scrutiny to finances, itineraries and bookings, so thin paperwork is rejected fast |
| Where to apply | Schengen rules require applying to the country of longest stay, but for equal stays enter through Italy |
My Advice
If your trip covers both countries with roughly equal days, submit your application through the Italian consulate and enter the Schengen zone via Italy. Build a clean, consistent file with confirmed bookings, a day-by-day itinerary and a clear funds trail, and your approval odds rise significantly. Avoid Malta as your entry point unless it is genuinely your main destination.
Visa refused? You can still make the next intake.
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