Whether you need a visa for a layover in Germany depends on your nationality and the nature of your transit. As of January 2026, Germany has abolished the "Airport Transit Visa" (Type A) requirement for Indian passport holders, provided they remain in the international transit area. However, many other nationalities still require a transit visa if they do not hold a valid visa or residence permit from the U.S., Canada, or a Schengen country. Crucially, a transit visa is only valid if you do not leave the airport's transit zone. If your layover involves changing terminals that require passing through immigration (like moving from the international zone to a domestic/Schengen flight) or if you plan to stay in a hotel outside the airport, you will need a full Schengen C Visa. Always check your specific flight itinerary to see if it requires an "entry" into the Schengen zone.