Germany has announced a new visa-free transit policy for Indian passport holders traveling to and from the United Kingdom via German airports. This significant development is expected to streamline travel for Indian passengers using major German hubs such as Frankfurt and Munich.
The announcement was made during Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz's official visit to India from January 12-13, 2026. This visit, his first to Asia since taking office, underscores Germany's increasing strategic focus on India as a key partner in the Indo-Pacific region. Chancellor Merz was accompanied by a high-level delegation, including 23 prominent German CEOs and industry leaders.
Under the new arrangement, Indian nationals transiting through German airports for onward international connections will no longer be required to obtain a transit visa. Previously, Indian travelers needed to apply for a Schengen airport transit visa (Type A) even if they remained within the international transit area. The revised policy allows Indian passport holders to transit seamlessly through Germany's international airports without a separate transit visa, provided they do not exit the transit area.
The visa-free transit facility is strictly limited to airside transit. It does not permit Indian travelers to enter Germany, leave the airport, or stay in the country. Indian nationals traveling to Germany or other Schengen countries for tourism, business, employment, or family visits will still need the appropriate visa.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his gratitude to Chancellor Merz for the visa-free transit facility announcement. He stated that this step would not only facilitate and ease travel for Indian nationals but also further intensify people-to-people links between the two countries. Both leaders emphasized that strong people-to-people ties are a vital pillar of the strategic partnership between India and Germany.
The visa-free transit announcement was one of several outcomes of high-level bilateral discussions. India and Germany also signed multiple agreements aimed at strengthening cooperation across various sectors, including defence, trade, higher education, telecommunications, semiconductors, and critical minerals.
This visit builds upon the momentum generated by the 7th India–Germany Inter-Governmental Consultations held in October 2024 and comes as the two nations mark 25 years of strategic partnership and approach 75 years of diplomatic relations.
During a joint press conference, PM Modi stated that India and Germany held wide-ranging discussions on global and regional issues, including the situations in Ukraine and Gaza. Both countries are united in their view that terrorism poses a grave threat to humanity and remain committed to combating it together. The Prime Minister also stressed the need to reform global institutions to address global challenges, citing joint efforts by India and Germany through the G4 group to reform the UN Security Council.
