New Delhi: Germany has scrapped the rule for Indian nationals to obtain transit visas while travelling to a third country through its airports.
the German Embassy in New Delhi made this announcement, which is aimed at facilitating travel and strengthening people-to-people and economic ties between the two countries.
The exemption from the airport transit visa requirement was published in the Federal Law Gazette (Bundesgesetzblatt) on June 2 and will come into effect from June 3, the embassy said in an official press note.
“Indian nationals will no longer require a transit visa when travelling to another country with a layover at a German airport,” the embassy statement read, as reported by ANI.
The decision implements an outcome of German chancellor Friedrich Merz’s visit to India in January this year and reflects the German government’s commitment to deepening bilateral ties with India, the embassy said.
The step is expected to ease travel for Indian citizens transiting through Germany and contribute to greater mobility between the two countries, it added.
The decision underscores Germany’s efforts to strengthen economic cooperation and enhance people-to-people exchanges with India, the statement says.
“This implements a result of Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s trip to India in January of this year. It underlines the Federal Government’s commitment to deepening German Indian relations, facilitating the movement of people, and further strengthening economic ties,” it has been said in the statement.
The move is likely to benefit a large number of Indian travellers who use German airports as transit hubs while travelling to destinations across Europe, North America and other regions.
France, in April, removed the airport transit visa requirement for Indian nationals holding ordinary passports, easing travel for passengers transiting through French airports on their way to third-country destinations.
The announcement was made by French President Emmanuel Macron during his visit to India in February 2026, when he said steps would be taken to facilitate travel for Indian citizens through France.
Under the revised rules, which came into effect on April 10, Indian nationals possessing ordinary passports no longer need an airport transit visa when passing through the international transit zone of airports located in France.
“Indian nationals possessing an ordinary passport are no longer required to hold an airport transit visa when passing through the international zone of airports located on French territory,” an official release stated.
The exemption applies to passengers who remain within the international transit area during a layover at a French airport while travelling onwards to a third country.
