Germany vs Spain: Schengen visa odds for applicants in India (2025)
In 2025, Germany refused 10.5% of the 153,179 applications lodged with it in India; Spain refused 15.2% of 90,720. Germany was the more lenient of the two by 4.7 percentage points. Multi-entry share: Germany 99.6%, Spain 16.1%.
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%).
Spain
15.2%refused of 90,720 applications (2025). Issued 75,906, 16.1% multi-entry. Consulates in India: Mumbai (11.6%), New Delhi (19.8%).
17 years side by side
| Year | Germany applied | Germany refusal | Spain applied | Spain refusal | Gap (pp) | India avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 153,179 | 10.5% | 90,720 | 15.2% | -4.7 pp | 15.7% |
| 2024 | 142,955 | 11.1% | 97,204 | 15.6% | -4.5 pp | 14.9% |
| 2023 | 132,825 | 10.4% | 91,863 | 14.6% | -4.3 pp | 15.7% |
| 2022 | 76,352 | 11.3% | 80,098 | 18.5% | -7.3 pp | 18.0% |
| 2021 | 20,449 | 14.0% | 12,688 | 21.5% | -7.5 pp | 22.8% |
| 2020 | 30,793 | 15.9% | 11,333 | 11.5% | +4.4 pp | 16.9% |
| 2019 | 169,205 | 9.9% | 74,028 | 7.7% | +2.2 pp | 10.8% |
| 2018 | 167,001 | 8.3% | 67,248 | 7.7% | +0.6 pp | 9.3% |
| 2017 | 153,961 | 6.8% | 54,431 | 9.2% | -2.4 pp | 8.5% |
| 2016 | 142,860 | 6.2% | 53,048 | 8.8% | -2.6 pp | 8.2% |
| 2015 | 121,002 | 5.9% | 42,544 | 7.4% | -1.5 pp | 6.5% |
| 2014 | 109,730 | 8.1% | 34,910 | 7.2% | +0.9 pp | 0.0% |
| 2013 | 102,862 | 6.5% | 31,146 | 7.1% | -0.6 pp | 6.2% |
| 2012 | 97,138 | 5.5% | 28,789 | 9.7% | -4.2 pp | 6.1% |
| 2011 | 99,924 | 4.5% | 27,860 | 10.2% | -5.7 pp | 6.9% |
| 2010 | 99,065 | 4.5% | 18,856 | 8.5% | -4.0 pp | 6.5% |
| 2009 | 80,252 | 5.6% | 16,740 | 8.6% | -3.0 pp | 7.8% |
Gap = Germany minus Spain 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); Spain's from 8.6% to 15.2%. Volume tells the other half: Germany decided 153,179 files in 2025 against Spain's 90,720, so Germany carries the heavier queue. On multi-entry visas, Germany was the more generous (99.6% vs 16.1%), 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 Spain Schengen visa from India?
On 2025 refusal rates, Germany (10.5%) refused a smaller share of Indian applicants than Spain (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, Germany or Spain?
In 2025, Germany: 99.6% multi-entry share; Spain: 16.1%.
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.