13.9% of the 17,564 Schengen applications made to Finland from India in 2025 were refused — moderate by Schengen standards.
Finland is a country of forest, lake, and sky where nature sets the pace — the Northern Lights in winter, the midnight sun in summer, and the sauna as a near-sacred ritual. Lapland even claims Santa's official home.
Applying from India · the real numbers
Moderate- 17,564
- Applications
- 86.2%
- Approved
- 13.9%
- Refused
Handled by VFS Global. Consulates in New Delhi.
2025 figures · European Commission DG HOME (applications made in India). Across all applicants — not a forecast for your file.
Don't-miss places
- Santa Claus VillageRovaniemi, Lapland
- Northern Lights viewingLapland
- Suomenlinna sea fortressHelsinki
- Helsinki Cathedral & design districtHelsinki
- Lakeland regionCentral Finland
- Glass igloo & husky safarisSaariselka
Things to do
- Chase the Aurora from a glass igloo
- Meet Santa in Rovaniemi
- Take a lakeside sauna, then jump in the lake
- Ferry to Suomenlinna sea fortress
What to eat
- Salmon soup (lohikeitto)
- Karelian pies
- Cinnamon buns (korvapuusti)
- Reindeer with lingonberry
- Rye bread
The culture
Salmon soup, rye bread, cinnamon buns, and coffee (Finns drink the most in the world). The sauna is sacred: there are more saunas than cars. People value quiet, honesty, and personal space.
When to go
Dec–Mar for the Northern Lights and snow; Jun–Aug for the midnight sun, lakes, and forest trails.
Good to know
- Capital
- Helsinki
- Language
- Finnish, Swedish
- Currency
- Euro (EUR)
- Flight from India
- ~8-10 hrs (often direct or 1 stop)
- Ideal trip length
- 5-7 days
Did you know? Finland has been ranked the world's happiest country for years running.
Aurora season is short and slots for Finland get snapped up months ahead. Check your file now if winter is the goal.
Photo: Aurora borealis over Saana fell · WikiLucas00 · CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons