Germany Scraps Transit Visa Rule for Indian Travellers, Easing Airport Layovers
New Delhi: Germany has announced a major relaxation for Indian travellers by removing the requirement for a Schengen Airport Transit visa while transiting through its international airports. Under the new rule, Indian passport holders can now change flights at major German hubs such as Frankfurt and Munich without needing a transit visa, provided they are travelling onward to a non-Schengen destination.
The decision was announced during German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s first official visit to India on January 12 and 13, 2026. The visit, hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation in defence, trade, semiconductors, and mobility. The visa-free transit measure was presented as a people-friendly outcome of the broader talks.
What the Change Means for Indian Passengers
Earlier, Indian travellers were required to obtain a Type A Schengen Airport Transit visa even if they remained within the international transit area and did not cross immigration control. The absence of this visa often led to passengers being denied boarding at their departure airport or sent back upon arrival in Europe.
Germany was among a limited group of Schengen countries that imposed this requirement on Indian nationals. The rule frequently affected travellers flying from India to destinations such as the United States, the United Kingdom, or Canada via German airports.
With the new exemption, Indian passengers can now transit through Germany without additional paperwork, reducing both cost and uncertainty during international travel.
Why the Rule Was Seen as Restrictive
Under Schengen rules, individual countries decide which nationalities require an airport transit visa. India was listed alongside a small group of countries, a classification that many travellers found disproportionate, given that transit passengers do not formally enter the country.
The change aligns Germany more closely with other European states that grant transit privileges to Indian passport holders.
Our Thoughts
Germany’s decision marks a practical easing of travel for Indian passengers and signals growing trust and mobility cooperation between the two countries. While limited to airport transit, the move removes a long-standing friction point for Indians travelling through Europe and reflects a gradual shift toward smoother people-to-people connectivity.