France has removed the airport transit visa requirement for Indian nationals passing through its airports, a move that took effect on April 10, 2026, following an earlier commitment by President Emmanuel Macron during his visit to India in February.
Under the new rules, Indian passport holders travelling to a third country via France will no longer need an airport transit visa, provided they remain within the international transit zone of the airport and do not enter French territory, the French embassy said in a press release on Thursday.
The change is aimed at easing travel for Indian passengers using French airports as transit hubs.
The decision was formalised through a decree amending earlier visa rules governing the entry of foreign nationals into France.
The updated provisions were published in the Official Gazette on April 9, a day before the measure came into effect.
India welcomed the move, saying it was in line with discussions held between the two sides earlier this year.
The Ministry of External Affairs said it “welcomes the announcement of visa-free transit of Indian nationals in French airports," adding that the decision had been agreed between the leaders during their February meeting. It further clarified that Indian nationals transiting through mainland France will not require a transit visa.
The relaxation removes an additional layer of paperwork for Indian travellers, who previously needed an airport transit visa even for short layovers in France without entering the country.
However, travellers will still need a valid visa if they plan to exit the airport or stay in France. France has been seeking to deepen travel and people-to-people ties with India.
Source: News18