India, Jan. 13 -- Germany has announced a major relaxation in travel rules for Indian passport holders, removing the need for a transit visa for airport layovers. The decision is expected to ease long-haul travel for thousands of Indians who use Germany as a transit hub while flying to non-Schengen destinations.

The move was announced in January 2026 during German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's official visit to India and is being seen as a people-friendly outcome of growing India-Germany ties. Once implemented, the rule could significantly reduce paperwork, costs, and last-minute travel disruptions for Indian flyers.

A transit visa is a special short-term visa required by some countries for travellers who pass through an airport without e...