France vs Italy: Schengen visa odds for applicants in India (2025)
In 2025, France refused 15.2% of the 204,184 applications lodged with it in India; Italy refused 12.7% of 53,423. Italy was the more lenient of the two by 2.5 percentage points. Multi-entry share: France 36.1%, Italy 89.2%.
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%).
Italy
12.7%refused of 53,423 applications (2025). Issued 46,613, 89.2% multi-entry. Consulates in India: Bengaluru (12.4%), Kolkata (13.4%), Mumbai (10.1%), New Delhi (16.7%).
17 years side by side
| Year | France applied | France refusal | Italy applied | Italy refusal | Gap (pp) | India avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 204,184 | 15.2% | 53,423 | 12.7% | +2.5 pp | 15.7% |
| 2024 | 197,959 | 15.8% | 60,365 | 11.3% | +4.5 pp | 14.9% |
| 2023 | 176,237 | 16.9% | 52,332 | 14.2% | +2.7 pp | 15.7% |
| 2022 | 138,643 | 20.0% | 35,982 | 17.8% | +2.1 pp | 18.0% |
| 2021 | 37,585 | 31.2% | 7,392 | 24.9% | +6.3 pp | 22.8% |
| 2020 | 29,627 | 23.5% | 15,196 | 20.7% | +2.8 pp | 16.9% |
| 2019 | 234,002 | 14.1% | 118,877 | 13.3% | +0.7 pp | 10.8% |
| 2018 | 229,153 | 10.3% | 105,630 | 12.1% | -1.8 pp | 9.3% |
| 2017 | 201,161 | 9.9% | 88,502 | 11.1% | -1.1 pp | 8.5% |
| 2016 | 156,148 | 8.4% | 103,362 | 12.9% | -4.5 pp | 8.2% |
| 2015 | 134,294 | 6.4% | 102,332 | 10.4% | -4.1 pp | 6.5% |
| 2014 | 87,472 | 6.4% | 79,969 | 7.2% | -0.9 pp | 0.0% |
| 2013 | 65,880 | 7.4% | 73,480 | 6.7% | +0.8 pp | 6.2% |
| 2012 | 63,881 | 7.8% | 71,365 | 8.6% | -0.8 pp | 6.1% |
| 2011 | 64,502 | 8.2% | 76,209 | 13.0% | -4.7 pp | 6.9% |
| 2010 | 57,262 | 7.4% | 69,919 | 8.2% | -0.8 pp | 6.5% |
| 2009 | 58,697 | 9.0% | 49,893 | 7.5% | +1.5 pp | 7.8% |
Gap = France minus Italy 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); Italy's from 7.5% to 12.7%. Volume tells the other half: France decided 204,184 files in 2025 against Italy's 53,423, so France carries the heavier queue. On multi-entry visas, Italy was the more generous (89.2% 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 Italy Schengen visa from India?
On 2025 refusal rates, Italy (12.7%) 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 Italy?
In 2025, France: 36.1% multi-entry share; Italy: 89.2%.
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.