Multiple-entry Schengen visas for Indians: the Article 24 cascade, and why consulates apply it so differently

The cascade, quoted

Article 24(2), provided the entry conditions are met and the visa would not outlast the passport, multiple-entry visas "shall be issued":

• (a) "for a validity period of one year, provided that the applicant has obtained and lawfully used three visas within the previous two years";
• (b) "for a validity period of two years, provided that the applicant has obtained and lawfully used a previous multiple-entry visa valid for one year within the previous two years";
• (c) "for a validity period of five years, provided that the applicant has obtained and lawfully used a previous multiple-entry visa valid for two years within the previous three years."

Article 24(2a): validity "may be shortened in individual cases where there is reasonable doubt that the entry conditions will be met for the entire period". Article 24(2b): consulates in local Schengen cooperation "shall assess whether the rules... need to be adapted to take account of local circumstances, and of migratory and security risks", with more favourable or more restrictive local rules possible. Article 24(2c): up to five years for applicants who prove a need to travel frequently and their integrity and reliability. Airport transit and LTV visas do not count toward the cascade.

What the India data shows

The cascade is a floor with wide discretion above and, under 24(2b), the possibility of local restriction. The result is visible in the European Commission's consulate returns for India: the multi-entry share of visas issued in 2025 ranges from below a fifth for some states to above ninety-nine percent for others. Our multi-entry ranking lists every state, and the consulate ranking shows that two consulates of the same state can be tens of points apart.

What you can do

• Ask, explicitly, in the form and the cover letter, stating why you travel often (work, family, business).
• Show the previous visas and the clean entries and exits that used them; "lawfully used" is the operative phrase.
• Do not overstate: a two-year request from someone with one prior visa reads as not knowing the rule.
• Remember Article 15(2): with a multi-entry visa you prove insurance for the first trip and remain responsible for cover on later ones.

FAQ

After how many Schengen visas do I get a multiple-entry visa?

Article 24(2)(a): a one-year MEV after three visas obtained and lawfully used in the previous two years, subject to local adaptation and individual doubt.

Which Schengen country gives multiple-entry visas most easily to Indians?

The European Commission's data for 2025 ranks every state by multi-entry share; see the ranking. It differs by consulate too.

Can a first-time applicant get a multiple-entry visa?

Yes under Article 24(2c) if the need and reliability are proven, at the consulate's discretion; the cascade in 24(2) is not the only route.