33% of the 41,009 Schengen applications made to Greece from India in 2025 were refused — very high by Schengen standards.
Greece is where Western civilisation began, and every island seems to end in a beach and a sunset. Ancient temples, whitewashed villages tumbling to the sea, and a fierce culture of hospitality make it feel both epic and intimate.
Applying from India · the real numbers
Very high- 41,009
- Applications
- 66.4%
- Approved
- 33%
- 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
- The Acropolis & ParthenonAthens
- Caldera & sunsetsSantorini
- Old Town & beachesMykonos
- Palace of KnossosCrete
- Meteora clifftop monasteriesThessaly
- Rhodes medieval old townDodecanese
Things to do
- Stand atop the Acropolis in Athens
- Watch the caldera sunset in Santorini
- Island-hop the Cyclades by ferry
- Visit the clifftop monasteries of Meteora
What to eat
- Souvlaki & gyros
- Moussaka
- Greek salad & feta
- Fresh grilled octopus
- Baklava
The culture
Souvlaki, moussaka, fresh seafood, and long tavern evenings. Hospitality (philoxenia) is a point of pride. Life runs on its own relaxed clock, especially on the islands.
When to go
May–Jun and September for warm seas without the July–August crush; the islands are hottest and busiest mid-summer.
Good to know
- Capital
- Athens
- Language
- Greek
- Currency
- Euro (EUR)
- Flight from India
- ~8-10 hrs (1 stop typical)
- Ideal trip length
- 7-10 days
Did you know? Greece has around 6,000 islands and islets, of which only a couple of hundred are inhabited.
Greece is a bucket-list honeymoon and summer favourite, so slots fill early. Check your file well ahead of island season.
Photo: Santorini - Panorama del tramonto da Oia - Grecia - agosto 2018 · Sidvics · CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons