Getting a Schengen visa? Here are the easiest countries Filipino tourists can apply for

Ever dreamed of exploring the picturesque landscapes of Europe, from the historic streets of Rome to the stunning fjords of Norway?

Before that fantasy can come true, one hurdle to overcome is obtaining a Schengen visa. 

With 26 countries to choose from, the process can seem daunting. However, not all visa applications for Schengen countries are created equal. Some are known for their efficient systems and welcoming approach to Filipino travelers.

In case you didn't know, the Schengen area covers 26 countries without border controls between them. These countries are Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland. These countries apply the common visa policy for short-stay visas. 

Whether you are visiting for leisure, business, or family reasons, here’s a guide to the easiest Schengen visa destinations for Filipino adventurers.

Which is the easiest country to get a Schengen Visa from?

Filipinos who want to apply for a Schengen Visa most often need a standard one for trips lasting up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Multiple-entry visas are also available if you travel regularly to the Schengen Area. 

Philippine applicants for a Schengen Visa should submit their applications no more than six months before their intended travel date. It is recommended that you apply approximately one month before your departure to account for any potential processing delays. However, applications must be submitted at least 15 days before your planned departure.

According to AXA, a French multinational insurance corporation, Lithuania is the easiest country to obtain a Schengen visa from, boasting an impressive approval rate of 98.7% for applications.

Amor Tejada, the General Manager of travel agency BASK Travel & Tours, told PhilSTAR L!fe that based on recent data, countries that have lower rejection rates for Filipinos include Iceland, Switzerland, and Slovakia.

"Applicants should note that visa approval still depends on completeness of application. Usually, the visa is applied for the first country to visit or the longest country that they will stay in," she added.

Yuumi Garcia, an international traveler and freelance model who has four approved visas and has traveled to 44 countries at 24, told L!fe that Filipino travelers can consider getting a visa for the Netherlands, Germany, and France because of their relatively "friendly process" compared to other countries.

Garcia also recommends France as an entry point for tourist visas based on personal experience and the number of requirements needed.

This was lauded by Kach Umandap, a content creator-entrepreneur who visited 195 countries with a Philippine passport.

According to her, Schengen countries like Spain, Portugal, France, Germany, and Italy are generally considered the "easiest" for Filipino tourists to get a visa because these are the "countries where it is very common for the embassies to receive this application for tourists."

"Doon ka mag-apply sa trendy na lugar kasi sanay na yung embassy that they are receiving it for the purpose of tourism," she told L!fe. 

She continued, "So ang point is halimbawa nag-apply ka sa Finland even though I tell you na mas mabilis, but for Filipinos, going to Finland is not very common. They might think may kamag-anak ka, may boyfriend ka which are not the common reasons for entry point for tourism." 

Likewise, she wanted to debunk perceptions that there are countries where getting a visa is either the easiest or hardest, as the rules and requirements are the same.

"The rules and the requirements are the same pero sabihin nalang natin na mas madali should be the countries that have an Embassy in the Philippines." 

On the other hand, Finland, Estonia, Belgium, and Sweden are among the countries with the highest visa rejection rates for Philippine passport holders.