A single Schengen C visa allows entry to all 27 Schengen countries. Kenyans apply through the VFS or embassy of the country they plan to spend the most nights in, or their first port of entry if nights are equal. Kenya has one of the widest consulate choices in Africa — 18 Schengen states accept applications in Nairobi — and the spread in refusal rates between them is large.
Kenyan passport holders need a Schengen visa for all 27 European Schengen countries. On the European Commission's 2025 statistics, 32.4% of the 77,760 applications lodged in Kenya were refused, up from 28.5% in 2024. Kenyans still face better odds than West African applicants, and the choice of consulate matters: Spain refused 16.4%, Norway 60.9%.
Key Warnings
- A Schengen visa does NOT cover the UK — if visiting both Europe and the UK, you need separate visa applications running in parallel.
- Even with Kenya's lower rejection rate, proof of ties to Kenya remains important — property title deeds, a KRA PIN certificate, or active business registration all help.
- Apply well in advance: while Nairobi VFS wait times are shorter than Lagos, popular countries still require 2–4 week advance booking.
Insider Tips
- Norway's refusal rate for Kenyan applicants jumped from 35.6% to 60.9% between 2024 and 2025 across 9,565 applications. If Norway is not your main destination, apply elsewhere.
- Nairobi is a major hub — Kenya Airways connects directly to Amsterdam, Paris and other European cities, which makes strong itinerary documentation straightforward.
- If you have prior Schengen stamps, always request a multiple-entry visa — approval rates are higher and it opens up future travel flexibility.
Best Country to Apply Through
Rule: Apply through the country where you will spend the most nights. If equal, use your first port of entry into Schengen.
✅ Easiest for First Application
On the European Commission's 2025 consulate statistics, Spain refused 16.4% of applications lodged in Kenya, the Netherlands 18.9% and Italy 19.9%. Switzerland (18.7%) and the Czech Republic (16.7%) are comparable on smaller volumes.
⚠️ Hardest
- Norway — 60.9% refused
- Belgium — 40.6% refused
- Sweden — 39.1% refused
Norway refused 60.9% of Kenyan applications in 2025 — up from 35.6% in 2024, the sharpest deterioration of any consulate in Nairobi. Belgium refused 40.6% and Sweden 39.1%, the latter across 15,699 applications.
All 27 Schengen Countries Compared
| Country |
Rejection |
Wait |
Proc. |
Difficulty |
Notes |
| 🇪🇸 Spain |
16.4% |
~2w |
11d |
3/5 Moderate |
Low rejection rate. Popular for tourism. Good first Schengen choice. |
| 🇳🇱 Netherlands |
18.9% |
~2w |
12d |
3/5 Moderate |
Moderate-low difficulty. Nairobi to Amsterdam is a major route. |
| 🇮🇹 Italy |
19.9% |
~2w |
12d |
3/5 Moderate |
Low-moderate difficulty. Kenyan diaspora in Italy helps with documentation. |
| 🇬🇷 Greece |
23.3% |
~2w |
10d |
3/5 Moderate |
Low rejection rate. Popular tourism destination. Good first Schengen. |
| 🇵🇱 Poland |
23.7% |
~2w |
10d |
3/5 Moderate |
Low rejection rate. Short wait times. Underused but excellent option. |
| 🇫🇷 France |
26.1% |
~3w |
14d |
4/5 Hard |
Moderate difficulty. Business and tourism travel common. |
| 🇩🇪 Germany |
28.3% |
~3w |
14d |
4/5 Hard |
Moderate difficulty for Kenyans. Shorter waits than West Africa. VFS Nairobi well-staffed. |
| 🇵🇹 Portugal |
32.4%† |
~2w |
10d |
4/5 Hard |
One of the easiest Schengen countries for Kenyans. Lowest rejection rate. Best option for first-time applicants. |
| 🇸🇪 Sweden |
39.1% |
~2w |
12d |
4/5 Hard |
Low-moderate difficulty. Reasonable processing times. |
| 🇧🇪 Belgium |
40.6% |
~3w |
13d |
5/5 Very Hard |
Moderate difficulty. EU institutions draw Kenyan business travelers. |
| 🇳🇴 Norway |
60.9% |
~3w |
15d |
5/5 Very Hard |
Norway is a Schengen member but not an EU member — an important distinction for Kenyan applicants |
Rejection figures: European Commission (DG HOME) visa statistics for consulates, 2025 — 77,760 short-stay applications lodged in Kenya.
† marks a country with no visa-issuing consulate in Kenya — applications
are lodged through a representing member state, so the national rate is shown instead.
Required Documents (All Schengen Countries)
-
Passport valid 6+ months beyond return date
-
Completed Schengen application form (signed)
-
Biometric photo 35×45mm, white background
-
Travel insurance min €30,000, all Schengen states
-
Flight itinerary (reservation, not confirmed ticket)
-
Hotel bookings for all nights
-
3-month bank statement, min €1,500 average balance
-
Employment letter with salary, position, approved leave
-
Proof of ties to Kenya (property, business, family)
Property title deeds, business registration or KRA PIN certificate strengthen ties.
Biometrics (10 fingerprints + photo) required for all Schengen applications. Previously enrolled biometrics valid for 5 years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Schengen country is easiest to get a visa for as a Kenyan?
Spain, on the European Commission's 2025 consulate statistics — it refused 16.4% of the 5,220 applications lodged in Kenya. The Netherlands (18.9%), Switzerland (18.7%) and Italy (19.9%) are close behind. Portugal is often recommended but runs no visa-issuing consulate in Nairobi. Avoid Norway, which refused 60.9%.
What is the Schengen visa rejection rate for Kenyans?
32.4%, on the European Commission's 2025 consulate statistics — 25,227 of the 77,760 short-stay applications lodged in Kenya were refused, up from 28.5% in 2024. That is well below Nigeria (46.9%) and Ghana (46.1%) but above the 14.6% global average. By consulate: Spain 16.4%, Italy 19.9%, Germany 28.3%, Sweden 39.1%, Norway 60.9%.
How much does a Schengen visa cost in Kenyan Shillings?
The official Schengen visa fee is €90 — about KES 13,459 at August 2026 rates. Adding the VFS service fee of roughly $30 (~KES 3,881) brings the total to approximately KES 17,340, before travel insurance. Verify the current KES rate before budgeting.
Does a Schengen visa let me visit the UK?
No. The United Kingdom is not part of the Schengen area and requires a separate UK visa. If you plan to visit both Europe and the UK, apply for both visas in parallel — they are entirely separate applications. Kenya Airways flies direct to several Schengen hubs and London, which makes dual-destination trips common.
How long does the Schengen VFS appointment wait take in Nairobi?
VFS Nairobi generally has shorter appointment waits than Lagos or Accra — typically 2–3 weeks for Spain, Italy and the Netherlands, and 3–4 weeks for Germany and France. Book early regardless: waits lengthen during peak travel seasons (July–August and December).