Indian Nationals Can Now Transit Through French Airports Without a Visa

Indian nationals can now transit through French airports without an airport transit visa, provided they remain in the international transit area and are travelling onward to a third country. This follows the operationalisation of a measure announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Emmanuel Macron in February. The change took effect on 10 April 2026 and applies to passengers travelling exclusively by air and remaining in the international transit zone.

According to the official Ministry of External Affairs press release, the decision was operationalised by the French Government and reflects the enduring partnership between India and France. The French Government’s own statement confirms that Indian nationals holding ordinary passports no longer need an airport transit visa when passing through the international zone of airports located on French territory.

Travel facilitation for Indian passengers

The exemption is limited to airside transit. Indian travellers who remain within the international zone during a layover at a French airport, and continue onwards to a third country, are covered by the new arrangement. This means passengers no longer need to obtain a separate transit visa solely for passing through French airports on such journeys.

Visa-free transit through France: smoother journeys, stronger India–France ties.

The measure is expected to simplify international travel for Indian passengers using French hubs as connecting points. It also adds to the broader effort by India and France to make mobility smoother and more predictable for travellers.

Built on a February understanding

The Ministry of External Affairs said the change follows the announcement made by Prime Minister Modi and President Macron during the French President’s visit to India in February 2026. The French Government stated that a decree amending the relevant visa rules was adopted and published in the Official Gazette on 9 April 2026.

India-France people-to-people ties

The official statement places the development within the wider India-France partnership and highlights the two leaders’ commitment to strengthening bilateral relations. In particular, it notes that the measure supports people-to-people bonds by facilitating smoother movement between the two countries. The operationalisation of visa-free transit is therefore both a practical travel step and a symbol of closer ties between India and France.

This article is based on the Ministry of External Affairs press release and the official statement issued by the French Government.