Greece vs Netherlands: Schengen visa odds for applicants in India (2025)
In 2025, Greece refused 33.0% of the 41,009 applications lodged with it in India; Netherlands refused 20.6% of 97,650. Netherlands was the more lenient of the two by 12.3 percentage points. Multi-entry share: Greece 40.7%, Netherlands 55.1%.
Greece
33.0%refused of 41,009 applications (2025). Issued 27,232, 40.7% multi-entry. Consulates in India: New Delhi (33.0%).
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 | Greece applied | Greece refusal | Netherlands applied | Netherlands refusal | Gap (pp) | India avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 41,009 | 33.0% | 97,650 | 20.6% | +12.3 pp | 15.7% |
| 2024 | 41,418 | 31.3% | 91,003 | 16.0% | +15.3 pp | 14.9% |
| 2023 | 33,735 | 28.2% | 83,556 | 15.1% | +13.1 pp | 15.7% |
| 2022 | 27,457 | 33.2% | 52,616 | 15.1% | +18.1 pp | 18.0% |
| 2021 | 2,615 | 30.6% | 10,373 | 15.4% | +15.1 pp | 22.8% |
| 2020 | 6,298 | 17.5% | 17,027 | 16.4% | +1.1 pp | 16.9% |
| 2019 | 44,366 | 16.3% | 93,812 | 9.3% | +7.0 pp | 10.8% |
| 2018 | 45,341 | 11.5% | 80,244 | 9.0% | +2.6 pp | 9.3% |
| 2017 | 32,134 | 13.2% | 70,320 | 7.2% | +6.0 pp | 8.5% |
| 2016 | 26,197 | 8.6% | 56,821 | 6.6% | +2.0 pp | 8.2% |
| 2015 | 22,454 | 9.0% | 44,717 | 4.6% | +4.3 pp | 6.5% |
| 2014 | 18,816 | 9.5% | 38,031 | 4.8% | +4.7 pp | 0.0% |
| 2013 | 11,473 | 4.5% | 34,024 | 5.5% | -1.0 pp | 6.2% |
| 2012 | 5,641 | 3.6% | 36,451 | 5.4% | -1.8 pp | 6.1% |
| 2011 | 4,961 | 5.9% | 35,204 | 6.2% | -0.3 pp | 6.9% |
| 2010 | 3,733 | 22.2% | 31,472 | 5.9% | +16.3 pp | 6.5% |
| 2009 | 3,940 | 16.4% | 22,994 | 6.2% | +10.2 pp | 7.8% |
Gap = Greece minus Netherlands refusal rate; positive means Greece was stricter that year.
What separates them
Over the whole period, Greece's refusal rate for applications lodged in India moved from 16.4% (2009) to 33.0% (2025); Netherlands's from 6.2% to 20.6%. Volume tells the other half: Greece decided 41,009 files in 2025 against Netherlands's 97,650, so Netherlands carries the heavier queue. On multi-entry visas, Netherlands was the more generous (55.1% vs 40.7%), which matters if you plan to return within the visa's validity.
Questions this page answers
Is it easier to get a Greece or a Netherlands Schengen visa from India?
On 2025 refusal rates, Netherlands (20.6%) refused a smaller share of Indian applicants than Greece (33.0%). 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, Greece or Netherlands?
In 2025, Greece: 40.7% 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.