Can I visit both Italy and Greece on one Schengen visa?

Yes. A Schengen visa lets you travel freely across all 27 Schengen countries during your validity period. You can fly into Rome, spend a few days in Italy, then take a budget flight to Athens or a ferry from Bari to Corfu. The only rule: apply at the consulate of the country where you'll spend the most nights. If your itinerary has 4 nights in Italy and 3 in Greece, apply through Italy. If it's the other way around, apply through Greece.

Which has lower financial requirements — Italy or Greece?

Greece. Under Regulation EC 810/2009 Article 21, each Schengen country sets its own financial sufficiency benchmark. Greece expects around EUR 40-50 per day of stay (roughly ₹3,600-4,500/day), while Italy expects EUR 50-70 per day (roughly ₹4,500-6,300/day). For a 7-day trip, that translates to approximately ₹25,000-31,500 for Greece vs ₹31,500-44,100 for Italy in available funds — beyond your trip costs like flights and hotels.

Is Greece or Italy better for a first Schengen visa?

Greece is the stronger choice for first-timers. It has the lowest rejection rate for Indian applicants in the Schengen zone at 5.2% (EU Commission, 2024), lower financial expectations, and a tourism-dependent economy that actively welcomes visitors. Italy is also excellent at 6.1%, but the slightly higher financial bar and the fact that Italian consulates handle a larger volume of Indian applications makes Greece the marginally safer bet if you have no prior travel history.

Which country processes visas faster?

Italy is generally faster. VFS Global India reports typical processing times of 8-14 calendar days for Italy vs 10-12 days for Greece. Italy's advantage comes from having 10+ VFS centres across India, which means faster appointment availability and more efficient document forwarding. Greece has only 4 VFS centres (Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai), so there can be a slight bottleneck during peak season (April-August).

Can I apply at Greece consulate if my flight lands in Italy?

Only if Greece is your main destination — meaning you spend more nights in Greece than Italy. The entry point doesn't determine which consulate you apply to. What matters is where you spend the most nights. If your itinerary has 5 nights in Santorini and 2 in Rome, you apply through Greece even if your flight lands in Rome. However, if Italy has more nights, you must apply through Italy regardless of your entry city.

Home / Blog / Italy vs Greece

Italy vs Greece: Which Is the Easiest Schengen Visa from India?

Last updated: April 2026

Quick verdict: Both are excellent choices for Indian applicants — they sit in the top 5 easiest Schengen countries by rejection rate. Greece has the lower rejection rate (5.2% vs 6.1%, EU Commission 2024) and lower financial expectations, making it the #1 pick for first-timers. Italy has more VFS centres across India, faster processing, and is the better destination for couples and honeymooners.

The right choice depends on your profile, budget, and what kind of trip you want. This guide breaks down every factor with real data so you can decide with confidence.

Head-to-Head Comparison

Factor	Italy	Greece
Rejection Rate	6.1% (EU Commission, 2024)	5.2% (EU Commission, 2024)
Processing Time	8-14 days (VFS Global India)	10-12 days (VFS Global India)
Difficulty	Easy	Easy
Financial Expectation	EUR 50-70/day (Reg. EC 810/2009 Art. 21)	EUR 40-50/day (Reg. EC 810/2009 Art. 21)
Visa Fee	EUR 80 + VFS service charge	EUR 80 + VFS service charge
VFS Centres in India	10+ cities	4 cities (Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai)
Trip Cost (budget, 7 days)	₹80K-1.2L	₹60K-90K
Best For	Couples, multi-city, honeymoon	First-timers, budget, island hopping

The numbers tell a clear story. Greece edges ahead on affordability and approval odds. Italy wins on infrastructure and versatility. Let's dig into each factor.

Why Greece Is #1 for First-Time Applicants

Greece has held the lowest Schengen visa rejection rate for Indian applicants for three consecutive years. At 5.2% (EU Commission Schengen Visa Statistics, 2024), it rejects roughly 1 in 19 Indian applications. Compare that to Germany at 18.7% or Switzerland at 24.3% — Greece operates in a completely different league.

Tourism is Greece's economic backbone. Tourism contributes over 20% of Greek GDP (Bank of Greece, 2024). The country has a structural incentive to approve visitors. Indian tourists are a growing segment — Greek tourism authorities have actively courted the Indian market with direct charter flights and Bollywood film shoots in Santorini and Mykonos. This translates into a consulate that genuinely wants to say yes.

Lower financial bar. Greece expects EUR 40-50 per day of stay under Regulation EC 810/2009 Article 21. For a 7-day trip, that's roughly ₹25,000-31,500 in available daily funds. This is the lowest financial expectation among popular Western European Schengen destinations. If you're earning ₹5 LPA and have ₹2-3 lakh saved, Greece is comfortably within reach. Italy's EUR 50-70/day benchmark requires noticeably more financial muscle.

Document scrutiny is reasonable. The Greek consulate in India doesn't have a reputation for requesting excessive supplementary documents. If your core file is clean — 6 months bank statements, ITR for 2 years, employment letter, hotel bookings, travel insurance — you're typically good. German and Swiss consulates routinely ask for additional documents mid-processing, adding weeks and stress. Greece generally doesn't.

Who should pick Greece: First-time Schengen applicants, applicants earning under ₹8 LPA, budget travellers, solo travellers, anyone who wants the statistically safest bet for approval.

Why Italy Is the Versatile Choice

Italy's 6.1% rejection rate is only marginally higher than Greece's, and in practical terms, both consulates are highly approachable for Indian applicants. Where Italy pulls ahead is infrastructure and destination appeal.

More VFS centres = easier appointments. Italy has VFS Global centres in 10+ Indian cities — Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Pune, Ahmedabad, Chandigarh, Kochi, and more (VFS Global India, 2025). Greece has just 4: Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, and Chennai. If you live in a Tier 2 city like Jaipur, Lucknow, or Coimbatore, reaching an Italy VFS centre is significantly easier. For Greece, you'd likely need to travel to a metro city, adding ₹5,000-15,000 in travel costs and a day of leave.

Faster processing window. VFS Global India reports 8-14 calendar days for Italy vs 10-12 days for Greece. Italy's upper bound is higher, but many applicants report getting their passport back within 8-10 days. During non-peak months (September-February), Italy is often the faster option. If you're planning a trip with limited lead time, Italy gives you more breathing room.

Destination depth. Rome, Florence, Venice, Amalfi Coast, Milan, Cinque Terre — Italy offers an unmatched range of experiences within one country. For Indian couples and honeymooners, Italy has been the #1 European destination for years. The Rome-Florence-Venice triangle is the most popular Indian tourist itinerary in all of Europe. Italian consulates see this itinerary thousands of times — they know it's genuine, which means less scrutiny on your travel plan.

Who should pick Italy: Couples and honeymooners, applicants in Tier 2 cities (closer VFS centres), anyone planning a multi-city itinerary, repeat Schengen travellers who want a reliable consulate, applicants who need faster processing.

Financial Requirements: Italy vs Greece

This is where the rubber meets the road for most Indian applicants. Financial proof is the #1 reason for Schengen visa rejections from India (EU Commission Visa Statistics, refusal code C — insufficient means of subsistence).

If you earn ₹5 LPA or less

Pick Greece. A 7-day Greece trip requires showing roughly ₹25,000-31,500 per day in available funds, plus ₹50,000-70,000 for flights and ₹30,000-50,000 for accommodation. Total available balance needed: approximately ₹2.5-3.5 lakh. On a ₹5 LPA salary (roughly ₹35,000-40,000/month take-home), this is achievable with 6-8 months of disciplined saving. Italy's higher per-day expectation pushes the total to ₹3.5-4.5 lakh — a meaningful difference at this income level.

If you earn ₹5-8 LPA

Both work. At this income level, you can comfortably meet either country's financial threshold. Choose based on destination preference and VFS convenience. If you're in a city with only an Italy VFS centre nearby, that's your answer. If you want the absolute safest bet, Greece still has the edge.

If you earn ₹8 LPA or more

Pick based on your trip, not the finances. At ₹8 LPA+, financial proof isn't your bottleneck for either country. Your ITR, salary slips, and bank statements will comfortably clear both thresholds. Focus on which destination excites you more, which VFS centre is convenient, and whether you want the romantic Italian itinerary or the island-hopping Greek adventure.

Critical tip for both countries: Regardless of income level, never park funds. Both Italian and Greek consulates review 6 months of bank statements (Schengen Visa Code, Article 14). They look for steady salary credits and organic spending patterns. A sudden ₹3 lakh deposit two weeks before your application is a red flag that tanks otherwise strong profiles.

VFS Appointment Availability

Getting a VFS appointment is often harder than the visa itself — especially during peak season (March-August). Here's how Italy and Greece compare on appointment logistics.

Italy: With 10+ VFS centres across India, appointment slots are distributed across a wider network. If Mumbai slots are full for 3 weeks, you can often find availability in Pune or Ahmedabad within days. This flexibility is Italy's biggest practical advantage. During peak season, Italy VFS centres collectively release hundreds of slots per week across the country.

Greece: With only 4 centres (Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai), appointment slots fill up faster. During April-July — when most Indians plan summer Europe trips — Greece VFS slots in Mumbai and Delhi can be booked out 3-4 weeks in advance. However, Greece processes fewer total applications from India than Italy, so the per-centre demand is somewhat offset. Bangalore and Chennai centres tend to have better availability than Mumbai and Delhi.

Pro tip: Check VFS Global's website early in the morning (6-8 AM IST) when new slots are released. Both Italy and Greece VFS centres release appointment slots on a rolling basis. Setting up a daily check at 7 AM gives you the best shot at grabbing a convenient date.

Which Is Cheaper to Visit?

Greece wins on almost every cost metric. Here's a realistic breakdown for Indian budget travellers in 2026.

Accommodation (per night, budget)

Italy: ₹4,000-7,000 for a decent hotel in Rome or Florence. Budget hostels run ₹2,000-3,500. Venice is 30-50% more expensive than mainland Italy.

Greece: ₹2,500-5,000 in Athens. Island accommodation (Santorini, Mykonos) during peak season jumps to ₹6,000-12,000, but off-peak (September-October) drops to ₹3,000-5,000. Less touristy islands like Naxos, Milos, or Crete are ₹2,000-4,000 year-round.

Food (per day)

Italy: ₹1,500-2,500 eating at trattorias and street food. A pizza margherita costs ₹400-700. Coffee is cheap (₹100-150). Sit-down restaurants in tourist areas run ₹1,000-1,800 per meal.

Greece: ₹1,000-2,000 per day. Gyros and souvlaki cost ₹300-500. A full taverna meal with wine runs ₹800-1,200. Greece is notably cheaper for daily meals than Italy, especially outside Athens.

Transport

Italy: Trains between major cities cost ₹1,500-4,000 (Trenitalia/Italo). A Rome-Florence high-speed train runs about ₹2,500. Metro in Rome/Milan is ₹150 per ride.

Greece: Ferries between islands cost ₹1,000-3,500 depending on speed and route. Athens metro is ₹120 per ride. Budget flights from Athens to Santorini can be found for ₹2,500-4,000 if booked early.

Bottom line: A budget 7-day trip to Greece costs ₹60,000-90,000 (excluding international flights). The same in Italy runs ₹80,000-1.2 lakh. Greece saves you ₹20,000-30,000, which is meaningful if you're stretching your budget to meet financial requirements.

The Combined Itinerary Option

Here's what many Indian travellers don't realize: you don't have to choose. With a single Schengen visa, you can visit both Italy and Greece on the same trip. Budget airlines like Ryanair and Wizz Air fly Rome to Athens for ₹2,500-5,000. Ferries run from Bari (southern Italy) to Corfu for around ₹3,000-5,000.

The main destination rule (Schengen Visa Code, Article 5): Apply at the consulate of the country where you'll spend the most nights. If your itinerary is 4 nights in Rome and Florence + 3 nights in Santorini, apply through Italy. If it's 4 nights in Athens and Mykonos + 3 nights in Rome, apply through Greece.

Strategic tip: If your profile is borderline (first-timer, lower income, no travel history), structure your itinerary so Greece gets the most nights. This lets you apply through the Greek consulate with its lower rejection rate and lower financial expectations — while still enjoying a few days in Italy. A sample itinerary: fly into Athens (2 nights), ferry to Santorini (3 nights), fly to Rome (2 nights), fly home. Greece is your main destination. You get the best of both countries and the better approval odds.

If nights are equal: You apply at the consulate of the country where you enter the Schengen zone first. Landing in Rome before heading to Athens? Italy is your consulate. Landing in Athens first? Apply through Greece.

The Verdict

Pick Greece if: You're a first-time applicant, you earn under ₹8 LPA, you want the lowest possible rejection risk, you're budget-conscious, or you love the idea of island hopping.
Pick Italy if: You're a couple or honeymooner, you live near an Italy-only VFS centre, you want faster processing, you're planning a multi-city cultural trip, or you've already travelled internationally and aren't worried about rejection rates.
Pick both: Structure a combined itinerary with the majority of nights in the country that gives you the better approval odds for your profile. You get the best of both worlds with one visa.

Neither country is a wrong choice. At 5.2% and 6.1% rejection rates, both are firmly in the "easy" tier for Indian applicants. The difference is at the margins — and for borderline profiles, those margins matter.

Not sure which country suits your profile?

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Hardik Bhatia

Travelled to 30+ countries. Built SchengenScore to help Indian applicants stop guessing and start preparing with data. Writes about Schengen visa strategy based on consular statistics and real applicant experiences.

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