Visa-free transit announced for Indians travelling to and from UK via Germany

In a significant development, Indians will soon be able to travel to and from UK via Germany, reports Saurabh Sinha. Germany has announced visa-free transit for Indians during Friedrich Merz's official visit to India.

Travel agents, globetrotters and airlines like Lufthansa and Air India are now awaiting the date from this will be implemented.

Once effective, desi travellers will be able to travel between India and UK via Germany on Lufthansa. Also, Air India will be able to code-share with Lufthansa to and from UK and increase passenger numbers on its German flights. "Announcement of visa-free transit for Indian passport holders for transiting through Germany," govt said in a statement on 27 outcomes of Merz's India visit. Once implemented, this move will partially undo the impact on Indian (and many other foreign) travellers caused by Brexit six years ago. At the time of Brexit, in a bid to "hurt" each others' airlines, UK and EU had mandated a transit visa will be required for travelling to one via the other.