Italy vs Netherlands: Schengen visa odds for applicants in India (2025)
In 2025, Italy refused 12.7% of the 53,423 applications lodged with it in India; Netherlands refused 20.6% of 97,650. Italy was the more lenient of the two by 7.9 percentage points. Multi-entry share: Italy 89.2%, Netherlands 55.1%.
Italy
12.7%refused of 53,423 applications (2025). Issued 46,613, 89.2% multi-entry. Consulates in India: Bengaluru (12.4%), Kolkata (13.4%), Mumbai (10.1%), New Delhi (16.7%).
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 | Italy applied | Italy refusal | Netherlands applied | Netherlands refusal | Gap (pp) | India avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 53,423 | 12.7% | 97,650 | 20.6% | -7.9 pp | 15.7% |
| 2024 | 60,365 | 11.3% | 91,003 | 16.0% | -4.7 pp | 14.9% |
| 2023 | 52,332 | 14.2% | 83,556 | 15.1% | -0.9 pp | 15.7% |
| 2022 | 35,982 | 17.8% | 52,616 | 15.1% | +2.7 pp | 18.0% |
| 2021 | 7,392 | 24.9% | 10,373 | 15.4% | +9.5 pp | 22.8% |
| 2020 | 15,196 | 20.7% | 17,027 | 16.4% | +4.3 pp | 16.9% |
| 2019 | 118,877 | 13.3% | 93,812 | 9.3% | +4.0 pp | 10.8% |
| 2018 | 105,630 | 12.1% | 80,244 | 9.0% | +3.2 pp | 9.3% |
| 2017 | 88,502 | 11.1% | 70,320 | 7.2% | +3.9 pp | 8.5% |
| 2016 | 103,362 | 12.9% | 56,821 | 6.6% | +6.2 pp | 8.2% |
| 2015 | 102,332 | 10.4% | 44,717 | 4.6% | +5.8 pp | 6.5% |
| 2014 | 79,969 | 7.2% | 38,031 | 4.8% | +2.4 pp | 0.0% |
| 2013 | 73,480 | 6.7% | 34,024 | 5.5% | +1.2 pp | 6.2% |
| 2012 | 71,365 | 8.6% | 36,451 | 5.4% | +3.2 pp | 6.1% |
| 2011 | 76,209 | 13.0% | 35,204 | 6.2% | +6.8 pp | 6.9% |
| 2010 | 69,919 | 8.2% | 31,472 | 5.9% | +2.3 pp | 6.5% |
| 2009 | 49,893 | 7.5% | 22,994 | 6.2% | +1.3 pp | 7.8% |
Gap = Italy minus Netherlands refusal rate; positive means Italy was stricter that year.
What separates them
Over the whole period, Italy's refusal rate for applications lodged in India moved from 7.5% (2009) to 12.7% (2025); Netherlands's from 6.2% to 20.6%. Volume tells the other half: Italy decided 53,423 files in 2025 against Netherlands's 97,650, so Netherlands carries the heavier queue. On multi-entry visas, Italy was the more generous (89.2% 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 Italy or a Netherlands Schengen visa from India?
On 2025 refusal rates, Italy (12.7%) 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, Italy or Netherlands?
In 2025, Italy: 89.2% 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.