Germany vs Sweden: Schengen visa odds for applicants in India (2025)
In 2025, Germany refused 10.5% of the 153,179 applications lodged with it in India; Sweden refused 11.4% of 32,536. Germany was the more lenient of the two by 0.9 percentage points. Multi-entry share: Germany 99.6%, Sweden 28.1%.
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%).
Sweden
11.4%refused of 32,536 applications (2025). Issued 28,564, 28.1% multi-entry. Consulates in India: New Delhi (11.4%).
17 years side by side
| Year | Germany applied | Germany refusal | Sweden applied | Sweden refusal | Gap (pp) | India avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 153,179 | 10.5% | 32,536 | 11.4% | -0.9 pp | 15.7% |
| 2024 | 142,955 | 11.1% | 32,939 | 14.4% | -3.4 pp | 14.9% |
| 2023 | 132,825 | 10.4% | 34,621 | 17.8% | -7.4 pp | 15.7% |
| 2022 | 76,352 | 11.3% | 27,775 | 18.4% | -7.1 pp | 18.0% |
| 2021 | 20,449 | 14.0% | 1,974 | 42.2% | -28.2 pp | 22.8% |
| 2020 | 30,793 | 15.9% | 3,935 | 10.9% | +5.0 pp | 16.9% |
| 2019 | 169,205 | 9.9% | 26,589 | 7.0% | +2.9 pp | 10.8% |
| 2018 | 167,001 | 8.3% | 24,707 | 7.9% | +0.4 pp | 9.3% |
| 2017 | 153,961 | 6.8% | 20,754 | 7.1% | -0.3 pp | 8.5% |
| 2016 | 142,860 | 6.2% | 17,918 | 6.7% | -0.5 pp | 8.2% |
| 2015 | 121,002 | 5.9% | 15,597 | 6.6% | -0.7 pp | 6.5% |
| 2014 | 109,730 | 8.1% | 12,770 | 5.1% | +3.0 pp | 0.0% |
| 2013 | 102,862 | 6.5% | 12,232 | 4.6% | +1.9 pp | 6.2% |
| 2012 | 97,138 | 5.5% | 14,055 | 4.7% | +0.8 pp | 6.1% |
| 2011 | 99,924 | 4.5% | 12,871 | 2.5% | +2.0 pp | 6.9% |
| 2010 | 99,065 | 4.5% | 10,613 | 2.5% | +2.0 pp | 6.5% |
| 2009 | 80,252 | 5.6% | 6,482 | 6.1% | -0.5 pp | 7.8% |
Gap = Germany minus Sweden 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); Sweden's from 6.1% to 11.4%. Volume tells the other half: Germany decided 153,179 files in 2025 against Sweden's 32,536, so Germany carries the heavier queue. On multi-entry visas, Germany was the more generous (99.6% vs 28.1%), 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 Sweden Schengen visa from India?
On 2025 refusal rates, Germany (10.5%) refused a smaller share of Indian applicants than Sweden (11.4%). 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 Sweden?
In 2025, Germany: 99.6% multi-entry share; Sweden: 28.1%.
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.