France has formally removed the airport transit visa requirement for Indian nationals holding an ordinary passport.
“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 on French territory,” the French Embassy in India announced today.
The exemption, which entered into force on April 10, 2026, after being published in the Journal officiel on April 9, applies to passengers transiting through an airport located in French territory without entering France and without leaving the international transit area. It applies only in the context of an onward air connection to a third country.
During Emmanuel Macron’s visit to India in February 2026, Paris and New Delhi had already announced the upcoming introduction of visa-free airport transit for Indian nationals. At the time, the joint Franco-Indian statement said the measure would be reviewed following a six-month pilot period.
France airport transit visa waiver: what changes for Indian travelers
For Indian passengers, the process now becomes simpler when connecting through a French airport, particularly on itineraries between India and other international destinations.
The measure is especially relevant for travelers using mainland France as a transit point on their way to a third country. Its scope, however, remains clearly defined. It applies only to passengers who stay in the international transit area during their layover and continue their journey exclusively by air, without entering French territory.
In this specific case, the recent full rollout of the European Entry/Exit System (EES) does not change the situation. Fully implemented on April 10, 2026, the system applies to third-country nationals who actually cross an external border for a short stay. Passengers remaining airside in transit are therefore not affected, unless their itinerary requires them to go through border control or leave the international transit area.
A move welcomed in India
In India, the measure has been widely presented as a long-awaited easing for Indian travelers and as the fulfillment of a commitment made at the highest level. One of the key points highlighted is the clarification now provided by the French authorities regarding the effective date of implementation of this simplification.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said today that the removal of the transit visa requirement for holders of an Indian passport had been agreed between Narendra Modi and Emmanuel Macron during their meeting in Mumbai in February.
“We welcome the announcement on the operationalisation of visa-free transit for Indian nationals transiting through French airports. As you may recall, the removal of the requirement of transit visas for Indian passport holders was agreed between Prime Minister and President Macron during their meeting in Mumbai in February this year,” Randhir Jaiswal said.
“The government of France has now operationalized 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 confirmed.
In its statement, the Indian Foreign Ministry explains that “the decision is a reflection of enduring partnership between India and France and showcases deep commitment by the two leaders to strengthen bilateral relations including strengthening of people to people bonds by facilitation of smoother movement of people between the two countries”.
