Indian tourists are having a lot of trouble getting Schengen visas in 2025, as the number of rejections is rapidly increasing.
Rejection rates for Indian applicants have sharply increased in nations like Germany, France, Italy, and Switzerland.
Schengen Visa Rejections Surge for Indian Travellers in 2025
More than 1.65 lakh Indian visa applications were denied in 2024, resulting in significant financial losses.
Due to non-refundable visa fees, hotel reservations, airline tickets, and travel insurance, these rejections resulted in a loss of more than ₹136 crore.
Germany and Italy each rejected over 15,000 applications, the Netherlands rejected 14,569 applications, Switzerland rejected 26,126 applications, and France rejected 31,314 applications, costing ₹25.8 crore.
In order to expedite appeals, Germany terminated its informal appeal procedure, formerly known as “remonstration.”
Rejected applicants in Germany now have to go through the entire legal process, which makes it more difficult and expensive.
Many Schengen consulates are reporting lengthy wait times; appointments for visas can take up to two months, particularly during busy times of the year.
The countries most impacted by appointment delays and backlogs are France and Germany.
Tourists are not the only ones having trouble obtaining visas; working professionals, small business owners, and students are also having difficulty.
Once a well-liked study abroad location for Indian students, Germany is now more difficult to reach.
Travellers are advised to:
- Apply early
- Submit clear and complete documentation
- Prepare for longer wait times
- Consider alternative travel destinations
Indian tourists are experiencing emotional and financial hardship as a result of the increase in visa denials.
India–EU Travel Ties at Risk Without Urgent Visa Reforms
Long-term harm to the India-EU travel relationship could result from a lack of substantial reforms or improvements.
Due to many countries denying their visas, Indian tourists lost up to ₹662 crore in 2024.
Because countries require pre-purchased lodging, travel insurance, and possibly non-refundable airline tickets, visa refusals often lead to additional financial losses.
As in many other countries, the price of a Schengen visa went up by 12% in June 2024 (adults: €90, children: €45). In New Zealand, a tourist visa now costs NZD 188 instead of NZD 119.
In 2024, outbound travel increased by 8.5%, with 25 million Indians traveling abroad between January and October. Easy access to travel loans has made this increase possible.
