World
Indian nationals with an ordinary passport do not need an airport transit visa when passing through international zones in French airports
By Jaya Chandran Published: 2026-04-24T21:01:00+04:00 1 min read
The decision was taken following an announcement by French President Emmanuel Macron during his India visit in February 2026
Embassy of France in India has announced that Indian nationals do not need an airport transit visa when passing through the international zones in French airports.
The decision was taken following an announcement by French President Emmanuel Macron during his India visit in February 2026 that measures will be taken to ease Indian nationals' travel via France. A decree to this effect was adopted, amending the one from 10 May 2010, regarding the documents and visa required for foreigners for entry into French territories.
According to this, with effect from 10 April 2026, Indian nationals possessing an ordinary passport are no longer required to hold an airport transit visa when passing through the international zone of airports located in French territory. This measure applies to passengers remaining in the international zone during a layover at any French airport en-route to a third country.
India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal welcomed the announcement.
"The removal of the requirement of transit visas for Indian passport holders was agreed between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Macron during their meeting in Mumbai in February this year. The government of France has now operationalised this agreement, and Indian nationals transiting through mainland France exclusively by air will no longer need a transit visa with effect from 10th April 2026," he said.