Germany announced that Indian nationals will no longer require a transit visa when traveling to another country with a layover at a German airport. The new rule come into effect on June 3. “This implements a result if Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s trip to India in January of this year. It underlines the Federal Government’s commitment to deepending German Indian relations, facilitating the movement of people, and further strengthening economic ties,” the German embassy said in a statement.
What is a transit visa? What does this mean for Indian travelers?
When you travel from country A to country B and have a layover at country C in between, you may need a visa only for touching down at country C for the layover. This is called a transit visa.Before Germany, France removed the transit visa requirement for India. It came into effect on April 10, 2026. France became the first Schengen country to fully eliminate the transit visa for Indian nationals, though Germany was the first to announce this in January. France announced the decision after President Emmanuel Macron’s state visit to India in February. During Macron’s visit, France announced a six-month pilot scheme allowing Indian passport holders to transit through French airports without an ATV. The pilot was effective immediately. The pilot ran successfully. Airlines updated boarding systems, Paris CDG reported no compliance issues, and transit bookings by Indian passengers through French airports increased significantly. In April, France lifted the transit visa requirement.
Lifting of transit visa does not mean visa-free entry
Lifting of transit visa does not mean travelers can enter the country. They are only allowed to remain in the transit zone. They cannot leave the airport.
