Germany vs Netherlands: Schengen visa odds for applicants in India (2025)
In 2025, Germany refused 10.5% of the 153,179 applications lodged with it in India; Netherlands refused 20.6% of 97,650. Germany was the more lenient of the two by 10.1 percentage points. Multi-entry share: Germany 99.6%, Netherlands 55.1%.
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%).
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 | Germany applied | Germany refusal | Netherlands applied | Netherlands refusal | Gap (pp) | India avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 153,179 | 10.5% | 97,650 | 20.6% | -10.1 pp | 15.7% |
| 2024 | 142,955 | 11.1% | 91,003 | 16.0% | -5.0 pp | 14.9% |
| 2023 | 132,825 | 10.4% | 83,556 | 15.1% | -4.7 pp | 15.7% |
| 2022 | 76,352 | 11.3% | 52,616 | 15.1% | -3.8 pp | 18.0% |
| 2021 | 20,449 | 14.0% | 10,373 | 15.4% | -1.4 pp | 22.8% |
| 2020 | 30,793 | 15.9% | 17,027 | 16.4% | -0.5 pp | 16.9% |
| 2019 | 169,205 | 9.9% | 93,812 | 9.3% | +0.6 pp | 10.8% |
| 2018 | 167,001 | 8.3% | 80,244 | 9.0% | -0.7 pp | 9.3% |
| 2017 | 153,961 | 6.8% | 70,320 | 7.2% | -0.4 pp | 8.5% |
| 2016 | 142,860 | 6.2% | 56,821 | 6.6% | -0.4 pp | 8.2% |
| 2015 | 121,002 | 5.9% | 44,717 | 4.6% | +1.2 pp | 6.5% |
| 2014 | 109,730 | 8.1% | 38,031 | 4.8% | +3.3 pp | 0.0% |
| 2013 | 102,862 | 6.5% | 34,024 | 5.5% | +1.0 pp | 6.2% |
| 2012 | 97,138 | 5.5% | 36,451 | 5.4% | +0.1 pp | 6.1% |
| 2011 | 99,924 | 4.5% | 35,204 | 6.2% | -1.7 pp | 6.9% |
| 2010 | 99,065 | 4.5% | 31,472 | 5.9% | -1.4 pp | 6.5% |
| 2009 | 80,252 | 5.6% | 22,994 | 6.2% | -0.6 pp | 7.8% |
Gap = Germany minus Netherlands refusal rate; positive means Germany was stricter that year.
What separates them
Over the whole period, Germany's refusal rate for applications lodged in India moved from 5.6% (2009) to 10.5% (2025); Netherlands's from 6.2% to 20.6%. Volume tells the other half: Germany decided 153,179 files in 2025 against Netherlands's 97,650, so Germany carries the heavier queue. On multi-entry visas, Germany was the more generous (99.6% 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 Germany or a Netherlands Schengen visa from India?
On 2025 refusal rates, Germany (10.5%) 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, Germany or Netherlands?
In 2025, Germany: 99.6% 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.