Germany Drops a Transit Visa Hurdle for Indian Flyers
Lufthansa Group has welcomed Germany’s decision to remove airport transit visa requirements for Indian nationals travelling to third countries via German airports. The change took effect on 3 June 2026 and applies to Indian passengers using German airports for onward journeys. The group said the update should make connections through Germany simpler for passengers travelling between India and the wider world.
The decision comes as Lufthansa Group continues to grow its India network. The group currently operates more than 70 weekly flights between India and Europe and has been active in the Indian market for more than six decades. India is also described by the group as its largest intercontinental market in the Asia-Pacific region.
Lufthansa Group is also adding capacity and updating cabins as demand grows. Its current plans include:
- Allegris cabins on more Boeing 787-9 services from Delhi and Hyderabad
- SWISS’s first direct Bengaluru–Zurich service in the 2026 winter schedule
- Extra SWISS A330 frequencies between Delhi and Zurich
- More Lufthansa Airbus A380 services between Mumbai and Munich
The visa change makes German airport connections more useful for Indian passengers planning trips beyond Germany. Travellers using Lufthansa Group services can route through German hubs for onward flights across Europe and other regions without applying for a separate airport transit visa. This could help students, families, business travellers and holidaymakers compare more itineraries.
Indian passengers should still check the full journey before booking. The exemption covers airport transit, not entry into Germany or the Schengen area. Anyone leaving the international transit area, changing airports, collecting baggage for re-check-in, or visiting Germany may still need the correct visa. Final-destination rules, airline transfer conditions and passport validity should be checked before travel.