Germany Abolishes Airport Transit Visa Requirement for Indian Travellers from June 3

Berlin/New Delhi, June 2026 : In a major relief for Indian travellers, the German Embassy in New Delhi announced on Tuesday that Indian nationals will no longer require an airport transit visa when transiting through German airports to reach a third country.

According to the Embassy, the decision has been officially published in the Federal Law Gazette (Bundesgesetzblatt) on June 2, 2026, and will come into effect from June 3, 2026.

“The lifting of the so-called airport transit visa requirement for Indian citizens was announced in the Federal Law Gazette on June 2, 2026, and takes effect on June 3, 2026,” the German Embassy stated. It further said the move reflects Germany’s commitment to strengthening ties with India by easing travel restrictions and facilitating smoother movement of passengers.

The Embassy also noted that the decision is part of the broader outcomes of German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s visit to India earlier this year in January. The policy change is seen as a step towards deepening bilateral relations and enhancing cooperation between the two countries in economic and people-to-people domains.

Highlighting the importance of the development, the Embassy said the measure underscores the German government’s intent to further strengthen its partnership with India while promoting easier travel and stronger economic engagement.

During the high-level engagement between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chancellor Merz, both leaders had welcomed the steady growth in India–Germany bilateral relations. They noted that trade between the two nations reached record levels in 2024, with momentum continuing into 2025.

The two sides also signed a series of agreements spanning key sectors including trade, technology, healthcare and renewable energy. According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), a total of 19 agreements were concluded along with multiple policy announcements aimed at expanding cooperation in strategic, economic and cultural areas.

A key focus of the discussions was the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), which both leaders reaffirmed as a transformative initiative with the potential to reshape global connectivity, trade routes and economic integration. They also expressed optimism about the first IMEC ministerial meeting, which is expected to further advance the initiative.

In addition, the leaders welcomed the signing of a Joint Declaration of Intent to develop a Defence Industrial Cooperation Roadmap. This framework is intended to promote long-term collaboration between Indian and German defence industries, including co-development, co-production and technology partnerships in defence platforms and equipment.

India also acknowledged Germany’s efforts to streamline export clearance procedures for defence-related equipment, signalling deeper trust and strategic alignment between the two nations.

The removal of the airport transit visa requirement is expected to significantly ease travel for Indian passengers transiting through Germany, reducing delays and improving international connectivity. It also marks another step forward in strengthening India–Germany relations, which have expanded steadily in recent years across diplomatic, economic and strategic fronts.