Transit visa for Munich Airport (MUC): do you need one?
Germany is in the Schengen area. Most travellers who stay in the international area and fly on to a country outside Schengen need no visa at all. A fixed list of nationalities needs an airport transit visa (type A) even to stay airside.
Quick answer
If you stay in the international transit area at Munich and your next flight leaves the Schengen area, you do not need a visa — unless you hold a passport from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cuba, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Mali, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria and Turkey, which need an airport transit visa (with exceptions). Indian passport holders have not needed one since 3 June 2026.
The rules at Munich Airport
The transit privilege
If you do not leave the international area of the airport and your destination is not a Schengen country, you do not need a transit visa. [2]
Nationalities that need an airport transit visa (type A)
Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cuba, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Mali, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria and Turkey. Exceptions on the list include Turkish service and special passports, Ghanaian service passports, and Jordanian nationals with a visa for Australia, Israel or New Zealand and a confirmed ticket. [1]
Who is exempt even on the list
Holders of a valid visa or residence permit issued by an EU or Schengen state, and holders of certain visas and residence permits of other listed countries, are exempt. Check the Federal Foreign Office list for your exact document before you fly. [1]
Indian passports: changed on 3 June 2026
Since 3 June 2026 Indian nationals no longer need an airport transit visa to enter the transit area of a German airport for a stopover or connecting flight. [3]
Connecting to another Schengen country or leaving the airport
An airport transit visa only covers the international transit area. If your connecting flight goes to another Schengen country, or you need to pass passport control (for example to change terminals through border control or to collect bags), you need a Schengen visa or visa-free entry instead. [2]
Do I need a transit visa at Munich Airport? Answers by passport
Indian passport
No, for an airside connection to a non-Schengen destination: since 3 June 2026 Indian nationals do not need an airport transit visa at German airports. A connection to another Schengen country still needs a Schengen visa. [3]
Nigerian passport
Yes. Nigeria is on Germany’s airport transit visa list, so you need a type A visa to connect airside at Munich unless you hold an exempting visa or residence permit (for example one issued by an EU or Schengen state). [1]
Pakistani, Bangladeshi or Sri Lankan passport
Yes. All three are on Germany’s airport transit visa list; you need a type A visa to connect airside unless you hold an exempting visa or residence permit. [1]
Turkish passport
Yes, with an ordinary passport. Turkey is on Germany’s airport transit visa list; holders of Turkish service and special passports are exempt. [1]
Filipino, South African or Chinese passport
No, if you stay in the international area and fly on to a non-Schengen destination. None of these is on Germany’s airport transit visa list. [2]
Sources
- German Federal Foreign Office — Airport transit visa country list (June 2026) — updated June 2026; checked 1 Oct 2026.
- German Federal Foreign Office — Do I need a visa to transit at a German airport?; checked 1 Oct 2026.
- German Missions in India — Travel facilitation at German airports for Indian nationals; checked 1 Oct 2026.
Transit rules change. Check with your airline and the official source before you fly.
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