Netherlands vs Sweden: Schengen visa odds for applicants in India (2025)
In 2025, Netherlands refused 20.6% of the 97,650 applications lodged with it in India; Sweden refused 11.4% of 32,536. Sweden was the more lenient of the two by 9.2 percentage points. Multi-entry share: Netherlands 55.1%, Sweden 28.1%.
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%).
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 | Netherlands applied | Netherlands refusal | Sweden applied | Sweden refusal | Gap (pp) | India avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 97,650 | 20.6% | 32,536 | 11.4% | +9.2 pp | 15.7% |
| 2024 | 91,003 | 16.0% | 32,939 | 14.4% | +1.6 pp | 14.9% |
| 2023 | 83,556 | 15.1% | 34,621 | 17.8% | -2.7 pp | 15.7% |
| 2022 | 52,616 | 15.1% | 27,775 | 18.4% | -3.3 pp | 18.0% |
| 2021 | 10,373 | 15.4% | 1,974 | 42.2% | -26.8 pp | 22.8% |
| 2020 | 17,027 | 16.4% | 3,935 | 10.9% | +5.5 pp | 16.9% |
| 2019 | 93,812 | 9.3% | 26,589 | 7.0% | +2.3 pp | 10.8% |
| 2018 | 80,244 | 9.0% | 24,707 | 7.9% | +1.1 pp | 9.3% |
| 2017 | 70,320 | 7.2% | 20,754 | 7.1% | +0.1 pp | 8.5% |
| 2016 | 56,821 | 6.6% | 17,918 | 6.7% | -0.1 pp | 8.2% |
| 2015 | 44,717 | 4.6% | 15,597 | 6.6% | -2.0 pp | 6.5% |
| 2014 | 38,031 | 4.8% | 12,770 | 5.1% | -0.3 pp | 0.0% |
| 2013 | 34,024 | 5.5% | 12,232 | 4.6% | +0.9 pp | 6.2% |
| 2012 | 36,451 | 5.4% | 14,055 | 4.7% | +0.7 pp | 6.1% |
| 2011 | 35,204 | 6.2% | 12,871 | 2.5% | +3.7 pp | 6.9% |
| 2010 | 31,472 | 5.9% | 10,613 | 2.5% | +3.4 pp | 6.5% |
| 2009 | 22,994 | 6.2% | 6,482 | 6.1% | +0.0 pp | 7.8% |
Gap = Netherlands minus Sweden refusal rate; positive means Netherlands was stricter that year.
What separates them
Over the whole period, Netherlands's refusal rate for applications lodged in India moved from 6.2% (2009) to 20.6% (2025); Sweden's from 6.1% to 11.4%. Volume tells the other half: Netherlands decided 97,650 files in 2025 against Sweden's 32,536, so Netherlands carries the heavier queue. On multi-entry visas, Netherlands was the more generous (55.1% 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 Netherlands or a Sweden Schengen visa from India?
On 2025 refusal rates, Sweden (11.4%) 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, Netherlands or Sweden?
In 2025, Netherlands: 55.1% 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.