Planning a Europe trip from India can be very overwhelming. With so many countries to choose from like France, Italy, Spain, Greece, Portugal and Switzerland to name a few. Each country is known for something different, has a different travel budget and has different visa requirements.
This article talks about the top 10 countries to visit from India and gives information about the experience each country provides, budget required and visa conditions for each Schengen visa application. Instead of selecting a destination just on the basis of visa processing, tourists should select a country that suits their schedule and plan.
France is the most popular option for travel among Indians, and understandably so. France is a great option for visa approval because of their high volume of visa applications.
France is often recommended to first-time travellers who ask which European country is easy to get visa for Indian applicants. While no visa is guaranteed, a well-prepared application with genuine travel documents and sufficient financial proof can improve your chances.
Best for: First-time Europe trips, culture, museums and sightseeing
Budget level: Medium
Popular places: Paris, Nice, Lyon, Bordeaux
Unlike the other expense-related claims about Switzerland, visa applications are simple and straightforward. They are primarily concerned about the finances and planning.
Best for: Nature, mountains, scenic travel and luxury
Budget level: High
Popular places: Zurich, Lucerne, Interlaken, Zermatt
If you have your bank statements, bookings and travel insurance in order, Switzerland is certainly among the Best European Countries for a simple approval process. And on top of that, the experience is phenomenal.
Italy masters the blend of geography, food, and rich history. Rome has captivating ancient architecture, and Venice has beautiful canals. Traveling between the two places is not overwhelming. Accommodation is also not difficult. For Indian tourists, the country presents few difficulties, and processing the visa is much simpler, especially when the documents are well organized.
Italy is known for issuing tourism visas. Having a well defined plan, with all hotel bookings and mode of transport identified, improves chances of visa approval greatly. A well defined itinerary is easy to assess. The high approval rates make Italy a must-visit European country.
Best for: History, culture, architecture and food
Budget level: Medium
Popular places: Rome, Venice, Florence, Milan, Amalfi Coast
Spain has been an emerging favorite for Indian travellers and one of the main reasons is its quicker processing times and much more reasonable acceptance rates.
Spain continues to attract thousands of Indian tourists every year because of its beautiful cities and efficient tourist visa process. It is frequently included in lists of European countries with easy visa for Indians, especially for applicants with a clear travel itinerary.
Best for: City breaks, beaches, culture and nightlife
Budget level: Medium
Popular places: Barcelona, Madrid, Seville, Valencia
A country with a big YES or NO based on documentation is the Netherlands. Appropriate documentation is a tell-all to positive results.
Best for: Art, museums, canals and city breaks
Budget level: Medium to High
Popular places: Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, Utrecht
For travelers who prefer structure, the Netherlands is among the Best European Countries to Visit, as they deliver desired results due to good documentation.
If you want to travel to Europe and you are on a tight budget, Greece is a fantastic option. Greece has beautiful, relaxing islands as well as cities with a slower lifestyle. Compared to other European countries, Greece has a more lenient visa policy, especially when travel documents are well-organized.
Best for: Islands, beaches, history and relaxed holidays
Budget level: Low to Medium
Popular places: Athens, Santorini, Mykonos, Crete
Accommodation and flights can vary considerably depending on the season, so planning ahead can help manage the overall trip budget.
Because of fewer applications than other countries, like France and Germany, the chances of getting your visa application accepted in Portugal are greater.
Portugal has become increasingly popular among travellers looking for easy visa countries for Indians. Along with its relaxed atmosphere and affordable travel costs, it is often considered a practical choice for first-time Europe visitors.
Best for: Relaxed holidays, culture and coastal travel
Budget level: Medium
Popular places: Lisbon, Porto, Algarve, Sintra
Austria is known for its visa process is systematic and organized. Of course, there is no country in the world that is completely undemanding, and in Austria they expect and require proper documentation.
Best for: Culture, architecture and scenic travel
Budget level: Medium to High
Popular places: Vienna, Salzburg, Innsbruck, Hallstatt
Austria can be included in a wider Central European itinerary with destinations such as Hungary, Germany or the Czech Republic.
Germany is one of those countries that is known for its rigidity. It is even stricter than many of its European counterparts. But the strictness is balanced out by fairness. In order for visa applications to be approved, travellers need to be precise with the travel documents and just as disciplined. Not ideal for applicants with weak documentation.
Best for: History, culture, museums and city travel
Budget level: Medium
Popular places: Berlin, Munich, Frankfurt, Hamburg
However, for those travellers who are the opposite of that, Germany is one of the Best European countries to travel to.
For many people, Europe is the destination in their travel wishlist. While many destinations are expensive and out of budget, Hungary is one of the more affordable options. It is also less commercial and overhyped and more easy to travel and manage.
Best for: Budget-conscious trips, architecture and city sightseeing
Budget level: Low to Medium
Popular places: Budapest, Lake Balaton, Eger
Therefore, for Indian travellers who are looking to set a budget and save money, Hungary is one of the Best European Countries to Visit. It is ideal for people on a budget as you get a great experience and save money.
Use the following as a quick guide for making a decision:
|
Country |
Best For |
Budget Level |
Travel Highlights |
|
France |
First-time Europe trips |
Medium |
Paris, museums, culture |
|
Switzerland |
Nature & luxury |
High |
Alps, scenic travel |
|
Italy |
Culture & food |
Medium |
Rome, Venice, Florence |
|
Spain |
Beaches & cities |
Medium |
Barcelona, Madrid |
|
Greece |
|
Low-Medium |
Athens, Santorini |
|
Portugal |
Relaxed travel |
Medium |
Lisbon, Porto |
|
Austria |
Scenic & cultural trips |
Medium |
Vienna, Salzburg |
|
Germany |
|
Medium |
Berlin, Munich |
|
Hungary |
|
Low |
Budapest, thermal baths |
The best European country for you will be different from what your friend may consider to be the best. The choice will be based on the experience you wish to have.
The likes of France, Spain, and Italy offer classic attractions and tourist infra-structure.
Depending on the season and the itinerary, Hungary, Greece, and Portugal can be considerations for budget travel.
Mountain-loving and lake-loving travelers will appreciate Switzerland and Austria respectively.
For classical history and culture, Italy, Greece and France are good.
The Netherlands, Spain and Germany are good for city travel and have a range of shopping, museums and entertainment.
Portugal and Greece are good for quiet travel with beaches and coastal stops.
|
Country |
Approval Trend |
|
France |
High volume of approvals |
|
Spain |
Strong approval rate |
|
Italy |
Tourist-friendly processing |
|
Greece |
Good success rate |
|
Portugal |
Consistent approvals |
Regardless of the destination you choose, there is no single answer to which European country is easy to get visa. Visa approval depends on the quality of your documentation, financial stability, and the credibility of your travel plans rather than the country alone.
There are many reasons why a visa application can be denied, among these can be found:
A refusal does not guarantee that an applicant will never be issued a Schengen visa. The applicant should be made aware of the reason for refusal as well as the means to appeal the refusal.
1. Which is the best country to apply for a visa?
For first time travelers in Europe, France and Spain are ideal. They have a pretty direct system, and as long as your documents are in order, the process should move on smoothly.
2. Are all visa applications at risk of rejection?
Not really. Most rejection seem to be huge in impact, but in reality they usually stem from small issues, compromising documents, unclear plans, or no bank balance. If your application is in good form, your chances improve significantly.
3. What is the ideal bank balance?
There is no fixed amount, but for brief travel the average ideal balance is around ₹1.5–3 lakhs per person for short trips (varies by duration and itinerary), and the more stable the transactions are in your bank account the better.
4. Is it possible to visit several countries on one trip?
Certainly. That’s one of the many perks of applying for a Schengen visa; you can visit numerous countries. Just ensure the one you apply for corresponds to your main stay or initial entry.
5. Is it possible to organize a trip to Europe on a budget?
Of course. Unlike the other European countries, Greece, Hungary, and Portugal are relatively affordable. Europe can be budget friendly with meticulous planning.
6. When’s the best time to submit a visa application?
You’d want to submit your application a month in advance. Not too far, and not last minute. That’s usually the better part of the window.
7. Is travel insurance a necessity?
It is actually a requirement. Travel insurance is one of the criteria for a successful visa application in the first place.
8. Which are the best European countries to visit from India for first-time travellers?
France, Spain, Italy, Portugal, and Greece are among the most popular European countries to visit from India because they offer excellent tourist experiences along with well-established Schengen visa procedures. The best choice depends on your travel budget, itinerary, and documentation.
It is important to keep your chances of visa approval in mind when choosing the Best Europe Countries to Visit. It becomes a lot more straightforward when you choose the destination based on the visa approval strategy.
Expert advice becomes invaluable when you are looking to avoid mistakes and save time and money. Golden Future is here to help you with the right process so your plans for Europe can turn into reality.