France vs Germany: Schengen visa odds for applicants in India (2025)
In 2025, France refused 15.2% of the 204,184 applications lodged with it in India; Germany refused 10.5% of 153,179. Germany was the more lenient of the two by 4.7 percentage points. Multi-entry share: France 36.1%, Germany 99.6%.
France
15.2%refused of 204,184 applications (2025). Issued 172,072, 36.1% multi-entry. Consulates in India: Bengaluru (7.8%), Chennai (19.5%), Kolkata (8.6%), Mumbai (11.8%), New Delhi (27.4%).
Germany
10.5%refused of 153,179 applications (2025). Issued 136,674, 99.6% multi-entry. Consulates in India: Bengaluru (1.5%), Chennai (10.5%), Kolkata (14.0%), Mumbai (10.8%), New Delhi (10.0%).
17 years side by side
| Year | France applied | France refusal | Germany applied | Germany refusal | Gap (pp) | India avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 204,184 | 15.2% | 153,179 | 10.5% | +4.7 pp | 15.7% |
| 2024 | 197,959 | 15.8% | 142,955 | 11.1% | +4.8 pp | 14.9% |
| 2023 | 176,237 | 16.9% | 132,825 | 10.4% | +6.6 pp | 15.7% |
| 2022 | 138,643 | 20.0% | 76,352 | 11.3% | +8.7 pp | 18.0% |
| 2021 | 37,585 | 31.2% | 20,449 | 14.0% | +17.2 pp | 22.8% |
| 2020 | 29,627 | 23.5% | 30,793 | 15.9% | +7.6 pp | 16.9% |
| 2019 | 234,002 | 14.1% | 169,205 | 9.9% | +4.2 pp | 10.8% |
| 2018 | 229,153 | 10.3% | 167,001 | 8.3% | +2.1 pp | 9.3% |
| 2017 | 201,161 | 9.9% | 153,961 | 6.8% | +3.1 pp | 8.5% |
| 2016 | 156,148 | 8.4% | 142,860 | 6.2% | +2.2 pp | 8.2% |
| 2015 | 134,294 | 6.4% | 121,002 | 5.9% | +0.5 pp | 6.5% |
| 2014 | 87,472 | 6.4% | 109,730 | 8.1% | -1.7 pp | 0.0% |
| 2013 | 65,880 | 7.4% | 102,862 | 6.5% | +1.0 pp | 6.2% |
| 2012 | 63,881 | 7.8% | 97,138 | 5.5% | +2.3 pp | 6.1% |
| 2011 | 64,502 | 8.2% | 99,924 | 4.5% | +3.7 pp | 6.9% |
| 2010 | 57,262 | 7.4% | 99,065 | 4.5% | +3.0 pp | 6.5% |
| 2009 | 58,697 | 9.0% | 80,252 | 5.6% | +3.4 pp | 7.8% |
Gap = France minus Germany refusal rate; positive means France was stricter that year.
What separates them
Over the whole period, France's refusal rate for applications lodged in India moved from 9.0% (2009) to 15.2% (2025); Germany's from 5.6% to 10.5%. Volume tells the other half: France decided 204,184 files in 2025 against Germany's 153,179, so France carries the heavier queue. On multi-entry visas, Germany was the more generous (99.6% vs 36.1%), which matters if you plan to return within the visa's validity.
Questions this page answers
Is it easier to get a France or a Germany Schengen visa from India?
On 2025 refusal rates, Germany (10.5%) refused a smaller share of Indian applicants than France (15.2%). 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, France or Germany?
In 2025, France: 36.1% multi-entry share; Germany: 99.6%.
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.