Changing planes in Europe has long been a nerve-racking experience for Indian passport holders, often involving extra paperwork even without leaving the airport. That anxiety is now set to ease.

Germany has decided to waive the airport transit visa requirement for Indian nationals passing through its international airports, removing a rule that had complicated countless long-haul journeys.

The announcement was made on January 12, 2026, during German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s official visit to New Delhi his first visit to India and his first trip to Asia after taking office. The decision was included in the India–Germany joint statement issued following talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

What Changes for Travellers

Indian passengers transiting through German airports will no longer be required to obtain a Schengen airport transit visa, also known as a Type A visa, provided they do not exit the international transit area and travel onward to a non-Schengen country within 24 hours.

This means travellers connecting through major hubs such as Frankfurt, Munich or Berlin can switch flights without prior visa approval, as long as they remain airside and carry valid documents for their final destination.

The relaxation does not allow entry into Germany or any other Schengen state. Anyone planning to clear immigration, leave the airport, or stay overnight outside the transit zone will still need a valid visa.

Why This Matters

Until now, Indian passport holders were among a small group of nationalities required by Germany to secure a transit visa even when they had no intention of entering the country. The requirement often came as a surprise, especially to first-time travellers.

Applying for the visa involved submitting travel documents, photographs and insurance, paying a fee of around €90, and waiting up to two weeks for approval. Missed paperwork frequently resulted in passengers being denied boarding at departure airports or forced to return mid-journey.

As a result, many Indians deliberately avoided routes involving German stopovers, despite competitive fares and convenient connections.

Airports Covered by the Rule

The visa-free transit facility applies only at airports with designated international transit zones. In Germany, these include Frankfurt/Main, Munich, Berlin-Brandenburg, Hamburg (with restricted hours), and Düsseldorf (subject to airline coordination with airport security).

Travellers must complete their connection within 24 hours and remain inside the transit area at all times.

Flights to Schengen destinations such as Paris, Rome or Amsterdam are not covered and still require a valid Schengen visa.

Boost to Connectivity and Choice

Germany’s airports are among Europe’s busiest and most connected. Frankfurt and Munich, in particular, serve as key gateways for flights to the US, UK, Canada, Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean.

With the transit visa requirement removed, Indian travellers can now book a wider range of itineraries, including flights operated by Lufthansa and Air India, without worrying about last-minute documentation issues. Industry observers say the change could also increase competition and help stabilise fares on long-haul routes.

Leaders Emphasise People-to-People Links

Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed the announcement and thanked Chancellor Merz for the decision. The joint statement noted that the step “will not only facilitate and ease travel of Indian nationals, but will further intensify people-to-people links.”

Both leaders reiterated that “strong people-to-people ties constitute a vital pillar of the Strategic Partnership.”

They highlighted the growing exchange of students, researchers, skilled professionals, artists and tourists, and acknowledged the “valuable contribution of the Indian community to Germany’s economy, innovation and cultural life.”

Education and Skills Cooperation

Education featured prominently in bilateral discussions. The two sides noted the rising number of Indian students studying in Germany, the expansion of joint and dual degree programmes, and closer ties between Indian and German universities.

They welcomed measures to support Indian students and graduates in entering the German workforce and agreed to develop an Indo-German Comprehensive Roadmap on Higher Education. Prime Minister Modi also invited leading German universities to open campuses in India under the New Education Policy.

A Practical Shift in Mobility

While the new policy does not change Germany’s entry or immigration rules, it removes a long-criticised barrier for Indian travellers who were simply passing through.

For those planning international travel in 2026 and beyond, Germany is now a far more practical and predictable transit point offering smoother connections, fewer documents, and a clearer path across continents.