Visa-Free Transit Announced for Indians Travelling to and from the UK via Germany
In a major travel-friendly development for Indian passport holders, Germany has announced a visa-free transit facility that will benefit travellers flying to and from the United Kingdom through German airport hubs - including key connections such as Frankfurt and Munich. The decision was formally announced during German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s official visit to India, underscoring a new step in making international travel smoother for Indian citizens.
Under this policy, Indians transiting through Germany to reach the UK (or other non-Schengen destinations) will no longer need to secure a Schengen transit visa (Airport Transit Visa or Category A visa) as long as they remain in the airport’s international transit area and continue on their onward flight. This simplifies connections that previously required additional paperwork and separate transit visas, especially on routes involving German carriers like Lufthansa or code-share partners such as Air India.
Officials said the move will help revive and expand travel links that were impacted in part by changes following Brexit and other post-pandemic travel regulations. By reducing bureaucratic barriers, German and Indian authorities expect smoother connectivity and increased passenger traffic through major European hubs. The implementation date is awaited from the authorities and airlines, but travel sectors are already preparing for the shift.
It’s important to note that this facility applies only to airport transit without entering Germany or the Schengen Area. Travellers intending to visit Germany for tourism, business, work, or longer stays must still obtain the appropriate visa before travel.
