18.1% of the 1,931 Schengen applications made to Romania from India in 2025 were refused — moderate by Schengen standards.
Romania is Europe's great adventure secret — Gothic castles on forested crags, medieval Saxon towns, painted monasteries, and some of the continent's last true wilderness where bears still roam. Dramatic, affordable, and gloriously uncrowded.
Applying from India · the real numbers
Moderate- 1,931
- Applications
- 81.5%
- Approved
- 18.1%
- 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
- Bran CastleTransylvania
- Old TownBrasov
- Palace of the ParliamentBucharest
- Transfagarasan mountain roadCarpathians
- Painted monasteriesBucovina
- Sighisoara medieval citadelTransylvania
Things to do
- Visit Bran Castle in Transylvania
- Wander medieval Brașov and Sighișoara
- Drive the thrilling Transfăgărășan road
- See the painted monasteries of Bucovina
What to eat
- Sarmale (cabbage rolls)
- Mămăligă (polenta)
- Mici (grilled meat rolls)
- Ciorbă (sour soup)
- Papanași (fried doughnuts)
The culture
Sarmale (cabbage rolls), polenta, and grilled meats, washed down with local wine or tuica plum brandy. Romanians are hospitable and superstition-loving, and rural traditions run strong in the villages.
When to go
May–Sep for hiking and mountain roads; the high Transfăgărășan pass only fully opens in summer.
Good to know
- Capital
- Bucharest
- Language
- Romanian
- Currency
- Romanian leu (RON)
- Flight from India
- ~8-10 hrs (1 stop typical)
- Ideal trip length
- 5-7 days
Did you know? Romania joined full Schengen in 2025, opening up border-free travel across the zone.
Romania's full Schengen access is recent, so the route is newer for many travellers. Check your file early to prepare with clarity.
Photo: Bran Castle (Toerzburg or Castelul Bran)-05ASD · Asurnipal · CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons