Belgium vs Switzerland: Schengen visa odds for applicants in India (2025)
In 2025, Belgium refused 7.7% of the 33,333 applications lodged with it in India; Switzerland refused 13.6% of 226,044. Belgium was the more lenient of the two by 5.8 percentage points. Multi-entry share: Belgium 89.6%, Switzerland 80.6%.
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%).
Switzerland
13.6%refused of 226,044 applications (2025). Issued 195,369, 80.6% multi-entry. Consulates in India: New Delhi (13.6%).
17 years side by side
| Year | Belgium applied | Belgium refusal | Switzerland applied | Switzerland refusal | Gap (pp) | India avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 33,333 | 7.7% | 226,044 | 13.6% | -5.8 pp | 15.7% |
| 2024 | 29,322 | 8.7% | 217,373 | 12.0% | -3.3 pp | 14.9% |
| 2023 | 23,986 | 15.2% | 189,646 | 11.9% | +3.3 pp | 15.7% |
| 2022 | 18,467 | 15.1% | 106,025 | 13.2% | +1.9 pp | 18.0% |
| 2021 | 6,388 | 8.8% | 19,645 | 21.0% | -12.3 pp | 22.8% |
| 2020 | 4,994 | 8.2% | 21,825 | 8.0% | +0.2 pp | 16.9% |
| 2019 | 24,649 | 6.5% | 171,004 | 5.9% | +0.7 pp | 10.8% |
| 2018 | 26,279 | 5.5% | 161,403 | 5.3% | +0.2 pp | 9.3% |
| 2017 | 22,510 | 7.5% | 130,857 | 5.2% | +2.3 pp | 8.5% |
| 2016 | 20,661 | 8.2% | 103,300 | 6.8% | +1.4 pp | 8.2% |
| 2015 | 24,630 | 6.2% | 109,487 | 2.8% | +3.4 pp | 6.5% |
| 2014 | 25,983 | 7.6% | 89,051 | 3.0% | +4.6 pp | 0.0% |
| 2013 | 36,466 | 4.3% | 93,438 | 4.7% | -0.4 pp | 6.2% |
| 2012 | 38,520 | 3.7% | 94,724 | 3.7% | -0.0 pp | 6.1% |
| 2011 | 49,967 | 3.9% | 74,983 | 2.8% | +1.1 pp | 6.9% |
| 2010 | 39,155 | 4.2% | 63,541 | 2.7% | +1.5 pp | 6.5% |
| 2009 | 25,599 | 6.6% | 50,822 | 6.2% | +0.5 pp | 7.8% |
Gap = Belgium minus Switzerland 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); Switzerland's from 6.2% to 13.6%. Volume tells the other half: Belgium decided 33,333 files in 2025 against Switzerland's 226,044, so Switzerland carries the heavier queue. On multi-entry visas, Belgium was the more generous (89.6% vs 80.6%), 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 Switzerland Schengen visa from India?
On 2025 refusal rates, Belgium (7.7%) refused a smaller share of Indian applicants than Switzerland (13.6%). 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 Switzerland?
In 2025, Belgium: 89.6% multi-entry share; Switzerland: 80.6%.
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.