Belgium vs Netherlands: Schengen visa odds for applicants in India (2025)
In 2025, Belgium refused 7.7% of the 33,333 applications lodged with it in India; Netherlands refused 20.6% of 97,650. Belgium was the more lenient of the two by 12.9 percentage points. Multi-entry share: Belgium 89.6%, Netherlands 55.1%.
Belgium
7.7%refused of 33,333 applications (2025). Issued 30,434, 89.6% multi-entry. Consulates in India: Mumbai (4.5%), New Delhi (14.0%).
Netherlands
20.6%refused of 97,650 applications (2025). Issued 77,057, 55.1% multi-entry. Consulates in India: Mumbai (2 applied), New Delhi (20.6%).
17 years side by side
| Year | Belgium applied | Belgium refusal | Netherlands applied | Netherlands refusal | Gap (pp) | India avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 33,333 | 7.7% | 97,650 | 20.6% | -12.9 pp | 15.7% |
| 2024 | 29,322 | 8.7% | 91,003 | 16.0% | -7.3 pp | 14.9% |
| 2023 | 23,986 | 15.2% | 83,556 | 15.1% | +0.1 pp | 15.7% |
| 2022 | 18,467 | 15.1% | 52,616 | 15.1% | -0.0 pp | 18.0% |
| 2021 | 6,388 | 8.8% | 10,373 | 15.4% | -6.6 pp | 22.8% |
| 2020 | 4,994 | 8.2% | 17,027 | 16.4% | -8.2 pp | 16.9% |
| 2019 | 24,649 | 6.5% | 93,812 | 9.3% | -2.7 pp | 10.8% |
| 2018 | 26,279 | 5.5% | 80,244 | 9.0% | -3.5 pp | 9.3% |
| 2017 | 22,510 | 7.5% | 70,320 | 7.2% | +0.2 pp | 8.5% |
| 2016 | 20,661 | 8.2% | 56,821 | 6.6% | +1.6 pp | 8.2% |
| 2015 | 24,630 | 6.2% | 44,717 | 4.6% | +1.5 pp | 6.5% |
| 2014 | 25,983 | 7.6% | 38,031 | 4.8% | +2.8 pp | 0.0% |
| 2013 | 36,466 | 4.3% | 34,024 | 5.5% | -1.2 pp | 6.2% |
| 2012 | 38,520 | 3.7% | 36,451 | 5.4% | -1.6 pp | 6.1% |
| 2011 | 49,967 | 3.9% | 35,204 | 6.2% | -2.3 pp | 6.9% |
| 2010 | 39,155 | 4.2% | 31,472 | 5.9% | -1.7 pp | 6.5% |
| 2009 | 25,599 | 6.6% | 22,994 | 6.2% | +0.5 pp | 7.8% |
Gap = Belgium minus Netherlands refusal rate; positive means Belgium was stricter that year.
What separates them
Over the whole period, Belgium's refusal rate for applications lodged in India moved from 6.6% (2009) to 7.7% (2025); Netherlands's from 6.2% to 20.6%. Volume tells the other half: Belgium decided 33,333 files in 2025 against Netherlands's 97,650, so Netherlands carries the heavier queue. On multi-entry visas, Belgium was the more generous (89.6% vs 55.1%), which matters if you plan to return within the visa's validity.
Questions this page answers
Is it easier to get a Belgium or a Netherlands Schengen visa from India?
On 2025 refusal rates, Belgium (7.7%) refused a smaller share of Indian applicants than Netherlands (20.6%). Under the Visa Code you must apply to the state that is your main destination, so this comparison guides itinerary planning, not consulate shopping.
Which gives more multiple-entry visas to Indians, Belgium or Netherlands?
In 2025, Belgium: 89.6% multi-entry share; Netherlands: 55.1%.
Source: European Commission, "Visa statistics for consulates", 2009 to 2025 annual releases; figures cover uniform (short-stay, type C) visas applied for at consulates located in India, regardless of applicant nationality; airport-transit visas excluded from headline figures. Refusal rate = visas not issued / visas applied for, computed by us from the counts. Rankings use a floor of 1,000 applications. Last verified 2026-08-18. Full methodology. Download the CSV.