France scraps transit visa requirement for Indian passport holders

France has officially removed the airport transit visa requirement for Indian nationals, effective April 10, according to the French Embassy in India. This means Indian passport holders no longer need a transit visa when passing through the international zone of airports in France during layovers en route to another country, as per reports.

The decision follows a decree amending the 2010 visa regulations for foreign nationals entering French territory. The updated decree was adopted and published in the official gazette on April 9, 2026.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs reportedly welcomed the move. As per reports, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the government appreciates France operationalising visa-free transit for Indian travellers. He noted that the decision was agreed upon earlier this year during a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron in Mumbai.

The new rule applies to Indian nationals transiting through mainland France strictly by air, provided they remain within the international airport zone and do not enter French territory.

President Macron reportedly had announced during his February visit to India that steps would be taken to make travel easier for Indian citizens transiting through France. The revised procedures are now reflected on the official France-Visas platform.

For more insight, visit France in India (République française)