Last Updated:January 12, 2026, 19:55 IST Under the new facility, Indian travellers passing through German airports en route to another country will no longer need a separate transit visa. The decision was announced in a joint statement following German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s official visit to India. Germany on Monday announced a visa-free transit facility for Indian passport holders travelling through its airports. The decision was announced in a joint statement following German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s official visit to India. The German Chancellor is on a two-day visit to India from January 12–13. This marks Merz’s first visit to India and his first trip to Asia as Federal Chancellor. Under the new facility, Indian travellers passing through German airports en route to another country will no longer need a separate transit visa. However, they must remain inside the airport and cannot enter any German city without a visa. Speaking at a joint press conference with Chancellor Merz, Prime Minister Narendra Modi thanked him for the announcement, describing it as a step that would further strengthen people-to-people …