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