Schengen Visa for Nigerian Passport Holders

Complete guide to the Schengen visa for Nigerians in 2025. All 27 countries, rejection rates, easiest options (Portugal, Poland, Greece), total cost ₦194,000, and step-by-step application.

27 Countries
€80 Visa Fee
NGN 145,000 In NGN
90d Max Stay

A single Schengen C visa allows entry to all 27 Schengen countries. Nigerians apply through the embassy or VFS of the country they plan to spend the most nights in, or their first port of entry if nights are equal.

Nigerian passport holders need a Schengen visa for all 27 European Schengen countries, but the difficulty varies significantly — rejection rates range from 10% (Portugal, Greece) to 22% (Germany). Choosing the right country to apply through can double your approval chances.

Key Warnings

  • Never assume all Schengen countries are equally difficult to get a visa for — rejection rates for Nigerians vary from 10% to 22% depending on the country.
  • Do not default to Germany or France just because they are well-known — they are among the hardest for Nigerian applicants and have the longest VFS queues in Lagos.
  • Proof of ties to Nigeria (property, business, family) is the single most impactful document for Nigerian Schengen applicants — more than bank statements alone.

Insider Tips

  • If your travel is flexible, apply through Portugal, Poland, or Greece — same Schengen access, lower rejection rate, shorter appointment wait.
  • A Schengen visa from any country allows you to travel to all 27 — you do not need to enter through the country that issued your visa (though you must have intended to visit it most).
  • Building a Schengen travel history is a long-term investment: a clean record of previous Schengen trips dramatically improves approval chances for subsequent visas and eventually multi-entry visas.

Best Country to Apply Through

Rule: Apply through the country where you will spend the most nights. If equal, apply through your first port of entry into Schengen.

✅ Easiest for First Application

Portugal, Poland, Greece, Estonia and Slovenia consistently show lower rejection rates for Nigerian applicants and shorter appointment wait times. These are the best choices if your destination is flexible.

⚠️ Hardest

  • DE
  • FR
  • CH

Germany, France, and Switzerland have the highest rejection rates and longest wait times for Nigerians. Not recommended for first Schengen applications.

All 27 Schengen Countries Compared

Country Rejection Wait Proc. Difficulty Notes
🇩🇪 Germany 22% ~6w 15d 4/5 Hard Highest demand from Nigerians. Longest wait times. Above-average rejection rate.
🇫🇷 France 18% ~5w 15d 4/5 Hard High rejection rate. Strong documentation required. Business travel common.
🇳🇱 Netherlands 16% ~4w 14d 3/5 Moderate Strong Nigerian diaspora. Moderate rejection rate. Schiphol is a common transit hub.
🇪🇸 Spain 13% ~3w 12d 3/5 Moderate Lower rejection rate than Germany/France. Shorter waits. Popular for tourism.
🇮🇹 Italy 14% ~4w 14d 3/5 Moderate Large Nigerian community in Italy. Moderate difficulty. Invitation letters help significantly.
🇵🇹 Portugal 10% ~3w 10d 2/5 Easy One of the easiest Schengen countries for Nigerians. Lower rejection rate, shorter waits. Good first Schengen choice.
🇧🇪 Belgium 15% ~4w 15d 3/5 Moderate Moderate difficulty. Home to EU institutions — business/official travel common.
🇸🇪 Sweden 14% ~3w 12d 3/5 Moderate Moderate difficulty. Nigerian diaspora significant. Reasonable processing times.
🇳🇴 Norway 13% ~3w 12d 3/5 Moderate Not EU but full Schengen member. Moderate difficulty.
🇵🇱 Poland 11% ~2w 10d 2/5 Easy Lower rejection rate, shorter waits. Underused option for first-time Schengen applicants.
🇬🇷 Greece 11% ~2w 10d 2/5 Easy One of the more accessible Schengen countries. Lower rejection rate. Popular for tourism.
🇦🇹 Austria 15% ~4w 14d 3/5 Moderate Moderate difficulty. Often used as Schengen entry point for Central Europe travel.
🇨🇭 Switzerland 16% ~4w 15d 3/5 Moderate Not EU but full Schengen member. Strong financial proof required. Business travel common.
🇨🇿 Czech Republic 12% ~3w 11d 2/5 Easy Lower rejection rate. Shorter waits. Good option for Central Europe itineraries.
🇭🇺 Hungary 12% ~3w 11d 2/5 Easy No direct embassy in Nigeria. Apply through shared VFS service.
🇩🇰 Denmark 14% ~3w 12d 3/5 Moderate No full embassy in Nigeria. Moderate difficulty.
🇫🇮 Finland 13% ~3w 12d 3/5 Moderate No full embassy in Nigeria. Apply via shared VFS.
🇸🇰 Slovakia 11% ~3w 10d 2/5 Easy Low rejection rate but limited direct access from Nigeria.
🇸🇮 Slovenia 10% ~3w 10d 2/5 Easy Low rejection rate. Apply via Austrian embassy in Nigeria.
🇱🇻 Latvia 11% ~2w 10d 2/5 Easy Lower rejection rates. Limited representation in Nigeria.
🇱🇹 Lithuania 11% ~2w 10d 2/5 Easy Lower rejection rates. Limited representation in Nigeria.
🇪🇪 Estonia 10% ~2w 10d 2/5 Easy One of the lower rejection rates. e-Residency country — tech-friendly. Limited Nigeria representation.
🇮🇸 Iceland 11% ~3w 12d 2/5 Easy Not EU but full Schengen member. Apply via Norwegian embassy.
🇱🇺 Luxembourg 14% ~3w 12d 3/5 Moderate Apply via Belgian embassy in Nigeria.
🇲🇹 Malta 12% ~3w 11d 2/5 Easy Apply via Italian representation in Nigeria.
🇱🇮 Liechtenstein 15% ~4w 15d 3/5 Moderate Not EU but full Schengen member. Apply via Swiss embassy.
🇭🇷 Croatia 11% ~3w 11d 2/5 Easy Joined Schengen in January 2023. Lower rejection rates.

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 Nigeria (C of O, CAC, school enrollment) Critical for Nigerian applicants. Most important document after financials.

Biometrics (10 fingerprints + photo) required for all Schengen applications from Nigeria. Previously enrolled biometrics are valid for 5 years — check before booking appointment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a Schengen visa allow me to visit all 27 Schengen countries?
Yes. A single Schengen C visa issued by any Schengen country allows you to enter and move freely across all 27 Schengen countries for up to 90 days within any 180-day period. You do not need separate visas for each country.
Which Schengen country embassy should Nigerians apply through?
Apply through the embassy of the country where you will spend the most nights. If visiting multiple countries equally, apply through your first port of entry. For flexibility, Portugal, Poland, and Greece have lower rejection rates and shorter Lagos VFS wait times than Germany or France.
Which Schengen country is easiest to get a visa for as a Nigerian?
Portugal, Poland, Greece, Estonia, and Slovenia consistently show the lowest rejection rates for Nigerian applicants (around 10–12%) and shorter appointment wait times at Lagos VFS. These are the best options if your destination is flexible.
What is the Schengen visa rejection rate for Nigerians?
The overall Schengen rejection rate for Nigerian applicants is approximately 18% — compared to a 14% global average. However, rates vary significantly by country: Germany is highest at ~22%, while Portugal and Greece are around 10%. Proof of ties to Nigeria is the most impactful factor in reducing rejection risk.
Will Nigerians need to pay for ETIAS in addition to the Schengen visa?
No. ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) applies to visa-exempt nationalities only — it is essentially an authorisation fee for travellers who do not need a Schengen visa. Since Nigerian passport holders are required to get a Schengen visa, ETIAS does not apply to Nigerians.
How much does a Schengen visa cost in Nigerian Naira?
The official Schengen visa fee is €80 (~₦145,000 at current rates). Adding the VFS Global service fee of approximately $30 (~₦49,000), the total cost is approximately ₦194,000. Exchange rates fluctuate — verify current NGN rate before budgeting.

Schengen at a Glance

Fee
€80
In local
NGN 145,000
Countries
27
Max Stay
90 days
Valid
90 days in 180

Country Guides

🇩🇪 Germany Visa Required 🇫🇷 France Visa Required 🇳🇱 Netherlands Visa Required

Schengen for Other Passports

🇬🇭 Ghana Schengen Guide 🇰🇪 Kenya Schengen Guide