India and Germany have taken a major step toward facilitating international travel with Germany announcing a visa-free airport transit facility for Indian passport holders.
Under the new policy, Indian nationals transiting through German airports for onward international flights will no longer be required to obtain a transit visa. This move is expected to greatly ease travel via key German hubs such as Frankfurt and Munich by reducing documentation, processing time, and pre-travel formalities.
Earlier, Indian travellers were required to apply for a Schengen airport transit visa (Type A) even when remaining within the international transit zone and not entering Germany or the Schengen area. With the updated regulation, Indian passport holders can now transit through Germany’s international airports without a separate transit visa, provided they stay within the designated airside transit area.
It is important to note that this facility applies strictly to airport transit only. It does not allow entry into Germany, exit from the airport, or a stay within the country. Indian nationals travelling to Germany or other Schengen countries for purposes such as tourism, business, employment, or family visits will still need to obtain the relevant visa.