More than 620,000 Moroccans applied for Schengen visas in 2025 as appointment shortages complicate travel plans

Tuesday 11 August 2026 - 11:45

By: Azzat Manal

More than 620,000 Moroccans applied for Schengen visas in 2025 as appointment shortages complicate travel plans

Moroccan demand for travel to Europe remained exceptionally strong in 2025, with nearly 620,000 Schengen visa applications submitted from Morocco. The high volume has created growing pressure on visa application centers, with obtaining an appointment becoming one of the first major obstacles faced by many travelers.

According to figures for 2025, Moroccan applicants submitted approximately 619,827 Schengen visa requests, placing Morocco fifth worldwide in terms of application volume, behind China, Türkiye, India and Russia.

Of the applications submitted, around 480,354 were approved, while approximately 114,320 were rejected. The figures highlight the continued importance of European travel for Moroccan citizens, whether for tourism, family visits, business, education or medical purposes.

France and Spain remain among the main destinations for Moroccan applicants. Their geographical proximity, extensive economic and social ties, and longstanding family connections with Morocco contribute significantly to the high level of demand for visas to these countries.

For short-stay Schengen visas, the standard fee for adults is €90, excluding possible service charges applied by external visa application centers and other optional costs. Visa fees are generally non-refundable, including when an application is refused.

For many applicants, however, the process can become difficult before their documents even reach a consular authority. The limited availability of appointments has become a significant concern, particularly during periods of high demand.

Visa application centers operated by companies such as TLScontact, BLS and VFS Global handle applications for different European countries and consular authorities. Depending on the destination and period, applicants may face difficulties finding an available appointment through online booking systems.

The shortage of appointments has also contributed to the development of an informal market in which intermediaries offer assistance with securing appointments in exchange for additional payments. This can increase the overall cost of the visa process and create further uncertainty for applicants.

The financial burden can therefore extend beyond the official visa fee. Applicants may also have to pay for travel insurance, document preparation, photographs, transportation and other services, often before knowing whether their application will ultimately be approved.

The large number of applications reflects the depth of Morocco’s connections with the European Union. Tourism and business exchanges are accompanied by extensive family, educational and professional links, making mobility between Morocco and Europe an important part of bilateral relations.

At the same time, the sustained demand raises questions about the capacity of existing visa-processing systems to handle large volumes of applications efficiently, particularly during peak travel seasons.

For many Moroccan travelers, preparing a Schengen trip now begins long before departure. Finding an appointment, collecting supporting documents, arranging insurance and reservations, paying the required fees and waiting for a consular decision can take weeks or months.

The experience shows that the Schengen visa process is no longer simply a final administrative step before traveling to Europe. For thousands of Moroccan applicants, the journey can begin with a race to secure an appointment, followed by a lengthy application process whose final decision can determine whether the planned trip goes ahead.