Forget the €90 fee and the 15-day wait for a simple layover. As of Tuesday, January 13, 2026, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has officially confirmed that Indian passport holders are being released from the “transit visa trap.”1
The thing is, this was the big “mobility” win from Merz’s first official visit to India this week.2 Or nothing. Let’s be real, for years, Indians flying to New York or London via Frankfurt were treated like they were trying to sneak into the EU just for changing planes. Those too.
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The “Transit Freedom” Log: Field Notes
It’s an ongoing situation where the paperwork is finally catching up to the strategic partnership.
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The “In Principle” Green Light: While PM Modi and Chancellor Merz announced it at the Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad, the Foreign Secretary clarified it’s a “work in progress.” The thing is, the decision is made, but German internal legal processes need a few weeks to officially update the systems.
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The €90 Saving: No more Type A Schengen visas for a 4-hour coffee break in Munich.3 The thing is, this saves Indian travelers roughly ₹9,500 per person and a whole lot of headache at the VFS Global centers.
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The “24-Hour” Rule: You can’t just hang out forever. The thing is, you must stay strictly in the international transit area, your layover must be under 24 hours, and you must be headed to a non-Schengen country (like the US, UK, or Canada).4
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Limited Hubs: Don’t get caught out. Only five airports in Germany actually have these transit zones: Frankfurt, Munich, Berlin-Brandenburg, Hamburg, and Dusseldorf.5 And here’s the kicker—Hamburg and Dusseldorf have “limited hours” for transit, so check your flight timing.6
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Who Benefits? The 2026 Transit Profile
| Traveler Category | New Rule Status | What You Save |
| US/UK Bound Students | ✅ Visa-Free Transit | ₹9,500 + 15 days processing. |
| Business Travelers | ✅ Visa-Free Transit | Ability to book last-minute Lufthansa flights. |
| Euro-Trip Tourists | ❌ Still Need Visa | If you’re entering Germany/Paris, you still need a C-Type visa. |
| Layovers > 24 Hours | ❌ Still Need Visa | Anything requiring a hotel stay outside the airport is an “entry.” |
And Here’s the Kicker…
This isn’t just about travel. The thing is, Germany is desperate for Indian talent, specifically in healthcare and nursing.7 And then there’s the 50 billion trade mark we just crossed. By removing the transit visa, Merz is basically saying, “We trust you enough to change planes here.”
It’s an ongoing situation where the “official” date for the software update at airline check-in counters hasn’t been set yet. Until the official circular hits, don’t throw away your visa application just yet—check with your airline if the “exemption code” is live.
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