France vs Netherlands: Schengen visa odds for applicants in India (2025)
In 2025, France refused 15.2% of the 204,184 applications lodged with it in India; Netherlands refused 20.6% of 97,650. France was the more lenient of the two by 5.4 percentage points. Multi-entry share: France 36.1%, Netherlands 55.1%.
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%).
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 | France applied | France refusal | Netherlands applied | Netherlands refusal | Gap (pp) | India avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 204,184 | 15.2% | 97,650 | 20.6% | -5.4 pp | 15.7% |
| 2024 | 197,959 | 15.8% | 91,003 | 16.0% | -0.2 pp | 14.9% |
| 2023 | 176,237 | 16.9% | 83,556 | 15.1% | +1.8 pp | 15.7% |
| 2022 | 138,643 | 20.0% | 52,616 | 15.1% | +4.9 pp | 18.0% |
| 2021 | 37,585 | 31.2% | 10,373 | 15.4% | +15.8 pp | 22.8% |
| 2020 | 29,627 | 23.5% | 17,027 | 16.4% | +7.1 pp | 16.9% |
| 2019 | 234,002 | 14.1% | 93,812 | 9.3% | +4.8 pp | 10.8% |
| 2018 | 229,153 | 10.3% | 80,244 | 9.0% | +1.4 pp | 9.3% |
| 2017 | 201,161 | 9.9% | 70,320 | 7.2% | +2.7 pp | 8.5% |
| 2016 | 156,148 | 8.4% | 56,821 | 6.6% | +1.8 pp | 8.2% |
| 2015 | 134,294 | 6.4% | 44,717 | 4.6% | +1.7 pp | 6.5% |
| 2014 | 87,472 | 6.4% | 38,031 | 4.8% | +1.6 pp | 0.0% |
| 2013 | 65,880 | 7.4% | 34,024 | 5.5% | +1.9 pp | 6.2% |
| 2012 | 63,881 | 7.8% | 36,451 | 5.4% | +2.4 pp | 6.1% |
| 2011 | 64,502 | 8.2% | 35,204 | 6.2% | +2.0 pp | 6.9% |
| 2010 | 57,262 | 7.4% | 31,472 | 5.9% | +1.5 pp | 6.5% |
| 2009 | 58,697 | 9.0% | 22,994 | 6.2% | +2.8 pp | 7.8% |
Gap = France minus Netherlands 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); Netherlands's from 6.2% to 20.6%. Volume tells the other half: France decided 204,184 files in 2025 against Netherlands's 97,650, so France carries the heavier queue. On multi-entry visas, Netherlands was the more generous (55.1% 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 Netherlands Schengen visa from India?
On 2025 refusal rates, France (15.2%) 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, France or Netherlands?
In 2025, France: 36.1% 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.