What is the Schengen visa refusal rate for applications filed in Ethiopia in 2025?

34.0%: 8,657 refusals out of 26,166 applications in 2025, against 36.1% in 2024. Source: European Commission.

Which Schengen consulate in Ethiopia refuses the fewest visas?

Among consulates with at least 1,000 applications, Greece — Addis Abeba has the lowest rate in 2025: 14.1%; the highest is Austria — Addis Abeba, 44.6%. A low rate also reflects who applies there, and the competent consulate is that of your main destination.

Schengen refusals, all countries

Schengen visas in Ethiopia: refusals consulate by consulate

Q: Can I apply at the consulate that refuses the fewest visas?

No. The Visa Code (Article 5) makes the consulate of your main destination competent, or of the first country of entry if no destination dominates. Applying elsewhere for a trip that does not justify it is a ground for refusal.

34.0% of applications refused in 2025 — 8,657 of 26,166.

2024: 36.1% of 24,593 applications (−2.1 pts). 15 Schengen consulates active in 2025.

What the national rate hides

Fewest refusals: 14.1%; Greece — Addis Abeba · 1,688 applications
Most refusals: 44.6%; Austria — Addis Abeba · 1,290 applications
Biggest drop since 2024: −18.9 pts; France — Addis Abeba · 4,277 applications
Highest share of multiple-entry visas: 11.9%; Belgium — Addis Abeba · 1,212 applications

Ranking based on consulates with at least 1,000 applications: below that, a handful of files moves the rate. The largest consulate by volume is Italy — Addis Abeba, with 7,261 applications.

Every consulate, fewest to most refusals

Schengen visa refusal rate by consulate, Ethiopia, 2025 and 2024
Consulate	Applications 2025	Refused 2025	2024	Change	Multiple entry
Greece — Addis Abeba	1,688	14.1%	2.7%	+11.4 pts	8.3%
France — Addis Abeba	4,277	26.5%	45.4%	−18.9 pts	4.3%
Switzerland — Addis Abeba	1,210	26.6%	23.7%	+2.9 pts	6.7%
Belgium — Addis Abeba	1,212	32.0%	42.1%	−10.1 pts	11.9%
Netherlands — Addis Abeba	2,413	33.3%	35.2%	−1.9 pts	5.4%
Spain — Addis Abeba	1,786	37.5%	37.9%	−0.5 pts	3.1%
Italy — Addis Abeba	7,261	37.8%	33.9%	+3.9 pts	4.5%
Germany — Addis Abeba	3,911	38.2%	33.8%	+4.4 pts	2.7%
Austria — Addis Abeba	1,290	44.6%	41.8%	+2.8 pts	0.9%

Under 1,000 applications — rates not significant

Consulate	Applications 2025	Refused 2025	2024	Change	Multiple entry
Finland — Addis Abeba	324	32.1%	33.6%	−1.5 pts	0.5%
Hungary — Addis Abeba	246	50.0%	56.9%	−6.9 pts	6.8%
Poland — Addis Abeba	218	78.1%	67.1%	+11.0 pts	0.0%
Czech Republic — Addis Abeba	212	20.8%	31.3%	−10.5 pts	3.6%
Romania — Addis Abeba	109	73.6%	54.3%	+19.3 pts	0.0%
Sweden — Addis Abeba	9	0.0%	—	—	0.0%

Before choosing a consulate

You do not pick your consulate. The Visa Code (Article 5) designates the one of your main destination — or of the first country of entry if no destination dominates. Applying "where refusals are lower" for a trip elsewhere is itself a ground for refusal.

A low rate is not leniency: it also reflects who applies. A consulate that mostly receives seasoned business travellers refuses less than one receiving first-time applicants. The rate shows where files fail most often — a reason to prepare yours carefully, not to change address.

Visa refused? The 15 grounds on the refusal form, and how to appeal in France, Spain, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Belgium (in French)

Where to go visa-free with a Ethiopian passport

Source: Commission européenne — Visa statistics for consulates, 2025 and 2024 editions, published 2026-05-28. Uniform short-stay visas; the rate is the Commission's: refusals / (issued + limited territorial validity visas + refusals).