With effect from April 10, 2026, Indian nationals holding ordinary passports are exempt from obtaining an airport transit visa when passing through the international zone of French airports.

The announcement was confirmed by the Embassy of France in India in a press release issued on April 23.

Applies only to international transit zone

The exemption applies strictly to passengers who remain within the international transit area during their layover and are travelling onward to a third country.

Travellers who need to exit the airport, collect baggage, or pass through border control will still be required to follow standard visa rules.

Move follows Macron’s India visit

The decision follows a commitment made by Emmanuel Macron during his visit to India in February 2026, where he announced steps to ease travel for Indian nationals.

A decree amending the existing visa regulations of May 10, 2010, was adopted and published in the French government’s official journal on April 9, formalising the change.

Germany took similar step earlier

France joins Germany in relaxing transit rules for Indian travellers. In January 2026, Berlin removed the requirement for a Schengen Airport Transit Visa for Indians passing through major hubs such as Frankfurt and Munich en route to non-Schengen destinations.

Travel set to become easier

The easing of transit visa norms by key European countries is expected to make long-haul travel smoother, cheaper and more convenient for Indian passengers, particularly those using major European airports as transit hubs.