For a layover at Frankfurt Airport (FRA) in 2026, whether you need a visa depends on your nationality and if you plan to clear immigration. If you are from a country that requires a Schengen Visa (like India, China, or many African nations), you generally do not need a visa if you remain "airside" in the international transit area and your connecting flight is to a non-Schengen country (like flying from New York to Delhi via Frankfurt). However, if your second flight is to another Schengen country (like flying from New York to Rome via Frankfurt), you must clear immigration in Frankfurt, which requires a valid Schengen Visa or visa-free status. Additionally, certain "high-risk" nationalities require an Airport Transit Visa (ATV) even if they never leave the transit lounge. For U.S., UK, and Canadian citizens, no visa is required for stays up to 90 days. A grounded peer warning: if you have an overnight layover and want to stay at a hotel outside the airport terminal, you are technically entering Germany and must have the legal right to do so. Always check the official German Federal Foreign Office website for the most current 2026 requirements for your specific passport.