Germany has removed the requirement for Indian passport holders to obtain an airport transit visa when travelling through its major international airports. The move will allow Indian travellers to transit smoothly through German airports while flying to a third country, provided they remain within the international transit area and do not enter German territory.
The decision was announced during high-level discussions between India and Germany and is being seen as a step to strengthen people-to-people ties and improve mobility between the two countries. Until now, Indian nationals needed a separate airport transit visa, also known as a Schengen Type A visa, even if they were only changing flights at German airports such as Frankfurt or Munich. This often involved additional paperwork, costs, and processing time.
With the new rule, Indian travellers holding valid passports and onward tickets can transit through major German airports without applying for this visa. The change is expected to benefit passengers travelling to destinations in North America, Latin America, and other parts of Europe, for whom Germany is a key aviation hub.
However, the visa waiver applies strictly to airside transit. Indian travellers will still not be allowed to exit the airport or pass through immigration without a valid Schengen visa. Those planning to enter Germany for tourism, business, study, or work will continue to require the appropriate visa as per existing rules.
Indian authorities have welcomed the decision, calling it a positive development that will make international travel more convenient for Indian citizens. The move is also expected to boost the attractiveness of German airports as transit hubs for Indian passengers, potentially increasing air traffic and connectivity between India and Europe.
Aviation and travel industry experts say the change will save time and reduce uncertainty for travellers, especially those with short layovers. It may also encourage airlines to offer more India-Europe and India-US connections via Germany.
The new transit policy is effective immediately. Travellers are advised to check with airlines and airport authorities to ensure they meet all transit conditions, including valid travel documents and confirmed onward tickets, before planning their journey.
