The Netherlands is part of the Schengen zone and that has a number of advantages for travelers. That is how it applies within Schengen area no border controls. Incidentally, that does not mean that you can travel without a passport or ID card. If you are traveling by plane within the Schengen area, read our tips.
By plane to a further Schengen country
At Schiphol you normally go through passport control. Only if you fly to or from a Schengen country, you do not have to show a passport. In any case, make sure that you always have a valid passport or ID with you. And don't forget to check whether you need other travel documents such as a visa.
Put your completed health declaration with your passport, so you always have it to hand when asked at the airport. And also take a blank form with you that you can fill in before you fly back!
No passport control within Schengen zone
A large number of European countries have made agreements with each other to make traveling across borders easier. Are you flying to a country within the Schengen area? Then you do not have to go through passport control at Schiphol.
Standard passport control at Schiphol
If you travel from Schiphol to a non-Schengen country, you will go through passport control as standard. If you arrive in the Netherlands from a non-Schengen country, you must also have your passport checked. Passport control at Schiphol is carried out by the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee.
Check a few weeks before you travel whether your identity card, passport and any visa have not expired. In some countries, your passport must be valid for at least a few months at the time you travel there.
Even faster: eGate, the automatic border control
eGate is an automatic self-service border control where you scan your passport yourself to cross the border. Are you older than 16 and do you have an EU passport with a chip? Then you can pass the automatic passport scanners. Follow the directions at the gate and cross the border faster. In the video below you can see how this automatic border control works.
