Germany has officially announced a significant change to its transit visa regulations, granting Indian passport holders a visa-free airport transit facility. This new policy eliminates the requirement for Indian citizens to obtain a Schengen Airport Transit Visa (Type A) when connecting through major German hubs such as Frankfurt, Munich, or Berlin, provided they are traveling to a non-Schengen destination and remain within the international transit zone. The decision was formally announced on January 12, 2026, during German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's inaugural official visit to India, and was part of a joint statement with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This move is aimed at strengthening people-to-people ties and streamlining passenger flows between the two nations, marking the 75th anniversary of India–Germany diplomatic relations. Previously, Indian nationals faced one of Europe's stricter airport transit visa regimes, often leading to considerable paperwork, administrative costs, and potential last-minute travel disruptions, even for short layovers. The waiver is expected to benefit thousands of Indian travellers annually, particularly those flying between India and destinations like the United Kingdom, Canada, the United States, and parts of Latin America. Lufthansa estimates this change could save Indian corporates up to €3 million annually in administrative costs. While the announcement has been widely welcomed, it is crucial to note that the official implementation date and operational guidelines are still awaited. Travellers are advised to monitor formal notifications from German authorities and airlines before adjusting their travel plans. Importantly, this waiver applies strictly to airport transit, meaning it does not permit entry into Germany or the wider Schengen Area. Indian citizens wishing to exit the airport for meetings or connecting to intra-Schengen flights will still require the appropriate Schengen visa.