Indian passport holders no longer need an Airport Transit Visa (ATV) when connecting through eligible airports in France or Germany. France introduced this exemption on April 10, 2026, and Germany followed on June 3, 2026.
This change has brought relief to NRIs and Indian travellers flying between the United States and India. It has removed one visa requirement for eligible connections through major European airports, including Paris and Frankfurt.
The exemption applies only if you stay inside the airport’s international transit zone and fly on to a non-Schengen destination. If your journey requires you to enter the Schengen Area, you must hold a valid Schengen visa or other appropriate entry permission.
Below, we have covered the latest France and Germany transit visa rules for Indians, including the situations in which you still need a Schengen visa.
Do Indians Need a Transit Visa for France or Germany?
No. Indian passport holders no longer need a separate Airport Transit Visa (ATV) when connecting through eligible French or German airports. Both countries have removed this requirement, but the exemptions came into effect on different dates:
- France – April 10, 2026
- Germany – June 3, 2026
Previously, Indian nationals had to obtain an Airport Transit Visa for eligible connections through France and Germany. However, both countries have now lifted this requirement for Indian passport holders.
For example, consider an Indian traveller flying from New York to Delhi with a stop in Paris. The passenger no longer needs a separate French Airport Transit Visa, provided the connection meets the airside transit conditions. The exemption also covers eligible connections through Frankfurt.
France Transit Visa Rules for Indian Passport Holders
France removed its Airport Transit Visa requirement for Indian nationals on April 10, 2026. The exemption covers Indian nationals connecting through airports in mainland France. Their connection must remain within the international transit zone, with onward travel by air.
The exemption has covered connections through major French airports, including:
- Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)
- Paris Orly Airport (ORY)
- Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport (LYS)
- Nice Côte d’Azur Airport (NCE)
For example, an Indian passenger flying from Toronto to Mumbai through Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport does not need a separate French Airport Transit Visa for an eligible connection. France has removed this requirement for Indian nationals.
However, this exemption does not grant permission to enter France. If your itinerary requires you to pass through immigration, visit the city, or travel to another Schengen destination, you will need to meet the relevant Schengen entry requirements.
Germany Transit Visa Rules for Indian Passport Holders
Germany has also exempted Indian passport holders from its Airport Transit Visa requirement. The new rule came into effect on June 3, 2026, following its formal announcement in the German Federal Law Gazette. Indian nationals no longer need a separate ATV for eligible connecting flights through German airports.
Some of the major German airports that handle international connections include:
- Frankfurt Airport (FRA)
- Munich Airport (MUC)
- Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER)
- Hamburg Airport (HAM)
- Düsseldorf Airport (DUS)
For instance, an Indian traveller flying from San Francisco to Bengaluru with a stop in Frankfurt does not need a separate German Airport Transit Visa, provided the connection meets the airside transit conditions. The exemption also covers eligible connections through Germany on the return journey from India.
Just like France, Germany’s exemption does not grant Indian travellers permission to enter the Schengen Area without the required visa. If your itinerary requires you to cross the German border, you must have a valid Schengen visa or other appropriate entry permission.
When Do Indians Still Need a Schengen Visa?
The new exemption only removes the Airport Transit Visa (ATV) requirement. It does not give Indian passport holders visa-free entry into Europe. An Airport Transit Visa allows eligible passengers to connect through an airport, while a Schengen visa permits entry into the Schengen Area.
You still need a Schengen visa if your trip includes any of the following:
- Leaving the airport during your layover
- Visiting Paris, Frankfurt, Munich, or another European city
- Connecting to another flight within the Schengen Area
- Changing airports within France or Germany
- Collecting your checked baggage and checking in again outside the international transit area
For example: If you’re flying from New York to Paris and then taking another flight to Rome. You must enter the Schengen Area at Paris before continuing to Rome. The airport transit exemption does not cover this journey.
France-Visas also explains that passengers travelling from a French airport to another Schengen airport enter the Schengen Area and undergo border checks.
The 2026 policy changes have made eligible connections through France and Germany simpler for Indian passport holders. You no longer need a separate Airport Transit Visa for these routes, provided your journey meets the airside transit conditions.
Before booking, review your complete itinerary, check the entry requirements beforehand, and confirm the transfer arrangements with your airline. These checks will help you avoid unexpected visa or connection issues during your journey.
Planning a trip between the USA and India? Call us at +1-866-235-8886 or visit Tripbeam.com to chat with our team and explore convenient flight routes and transit options.
FAQs
Q1) Can I leave the airport during a layover in France or Germany without a Schengen visa?
A) No. The Airport Transit Visa exemption does not allow Indian passport holders to enter France or Germany. It covers only airside connections. If you plan to visit a city, meet someone, or stay at a hotel outside the airport, you must have a valid Schengen visa or other appropriate entry permission. This rule also applies to short layovers, even if you plan to leave the airport for just a few hours.
Q2) Do I need a transit visa for a 10 hour or 12 hour layover in France or Germany?
A) No. Indian passport holders do not need a separate Airport Transit Visa for eligible connections through France or Germany, regardless of whether the layover lasts 2, 10, or 12 hours. However, you must meet the applicable transit conditions and remain within the international transit area. If your itinerary requires you to pass through immigration or enter the Schengen Area, you must meet the relevant Schengen entry requirements.
Q3) Can I transit through Germany or France with an expired US visa stamp?
A) Yes. An expired US visa stamp does not make an Airport Transit Visa necessary for an Indian passport holder connecting through France or Germany under the new exemptions.
Q4) Do NRIs need a transit visa when returning to the US from India through France or Germany?
A) No. The airport transit visa exemptions apply to Indian nationals travelling in both directions. An Indian passport holder flying from India to the United States through Paris, Frankfurt, or another eligible French or German airport does not need a separate Airport Transit Visa.
Q5) What happens if I miss my connecting flight in France or Germany?
A) Missing a connecting flight does not automatically mean you need a Schengen visa. If your airline arranges another flight and you remain within the airport's international transit area, you do not need a separate Airport Transit Visa. However, if you need to collect your baggage, leave the transit area, or stay at a hotel outside the airport, you must have the appropriate Schengen entry permission.
