As of January 2026, Indian passport holders no longer need an Airport Transit Visa (ATV) to connect through Frankfurt, Munich, or Berlin, provided they meet specific conditions. This major policy shift was implemented to celebrate 75 years of India-Germany relations. To benefit from this waiver, you must remain in the international transit area (airside) and have a confirmed onward ticket to a non-Schengen destination on the same day. If your layover requires you to leave the airport (e.g., to stay in a hotel overnight or to catch a flight from a different terminal that requires passing through immigration), you will still need a standard Schengen Visa. While this "visa-free transit" simplifies travel for many, it is not a "visa-free entry" into Germany. Always verify with your airline before flying, as they have the final authority to deny boarding if they believe you do not meet the airside transit requirements for your specific itinerary.