Outlook Business Desk
On Monday, Germany announced a visa-free transit facility for Indian citizens during Prime Minister Modi’s meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Gandhinagar. The move aims to strengthen people-to-people links between the two countries.
Indian travellers can now pass through German airports during layovers without applying for a separate transit visa. This facility is valid only for onward connections and does not allow entry into Germany.
Previously, Indians needed an airport transit visa, even while remaining in international transit zones at Frankfurt, Munich, or Berlin. The new arrangement removes this requirement for eligible passengers, easing connections through German airports.
Indians meeting the specified conditions can now travel via Germany without a transit visa. Tourism, business, or long-term stays in Germany or other Schengen countries still require the appropriate visa.
The announcement comes as travel between India and Germany grows. Indian overnight stays crossed 775,000 from January to October 2025, highlighting increased flight connectivity and rising interest in Germany as a travel destination.
Meanwhile, The German National Tourist Office India expects this trend to continue, targeting one million Indian overnight stays in 2026. The growth highlights Germany’s appeal as a tourism and cultural destination for Indians.
Romit Theophilus, Director of Marketing and Sales Office – India at the German National Tourist Office, told PTI that around 60,000 Indian students already visit Germany, while family travel and weddings are also rising.
Migration and education were key topics during Monday’s talks between Prime Minister Modi and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. The discussions focused on legal migration, mobility and skills cooperation to benefit both countries’ economies.
Meanwhile, Narendra Modi also announced a roadmap for higher education collaboration and invited German universities to open campuses in India. He later thanked Chancellor Merz for visa-free transit, marking 75 years of diplomatic ties and strategic partnership.