As of January 12, 2026, Germany has officially abolished the airport transit visa (ATV) requirement for Indian citizens transiting through hubs like Frankfurt and Munich. This major policy shift means that most travelers from India—and those from other previously "required" nations who hold valid visas or residency for the U.S., Canada, or the UK—can transit airside without a Schengen "Type A" visa. However, you must remain in the international transit zone; if your connection requires you to collect luggage and re-check it, or if you have a layover that involves changing terminals at a non-Schengen gate, you may still trigger an immigration check. For 2026 travelers, the "rule of thumb" is that as long as your bags are checked through and your layover is less than 24 hours within the same terminal area, you are visa-free. Always double-check your specific itinerary, as two consecutive Schengen layovers (e.g., Delhi to Frankfurt to Paris) will always require a full Schengen visa.