Roberta Aguirre
If you're planning to transit through Schiphol Airport, there are a few things you should know. The minimum transfer time at Schiphol is around 40-50 minutes, depending on whether you're travelling on a Schengen or non-Schengen flight. If you're travelling from a non-Schengen country, you'll need to go through additional security checks, which may require more time. In most cases, you won't need to collect your baggage or check-in again for your connecting flight, as airport staff will ensure your baggage is transferred. However, if you're travelling on two separate tickets, you may need to collect and re-check your baggage. Whether you need a visa to transit through Schiphol depends on your nationality and destination. If you have an airport transit visa, you cannot leave the international transit zone.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Minimum transfer time | 40 minutes for Schengen flights, 50 minutes for non-Schengen flights |
| Security checks | Not required for arrivals from the US, Canada, the UK, Ireland, Singapore, Cyprus, Serbia (Belgrade only), or Schengen countries |
| Passport control | Required for transfers between Schengen and non-Schengen countries |
| Boarding pass | Usually received at check-in for the first flight |
| Checked baggage | Not usually required to be picked up, unless transferring in the US or China, or travelling on two separate tickets |
| Transit visa | Depends on nationality and destination; required for most Turkish passport holders as of 1 December 2022 |
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What You'll Learn
Schengen visa requirements
If you are a citizen of a country outside the EU, you may need to apply for a Schengen visa to transit through Schiphol Airport. This depends on your nationality. An airport transit visa does not allow you to leave the international transit zone. To leave the airport, you will need a Schengen visa.
A Schengen visa allows you to enter the Schengen area for a short, temporary visit of up to 90 days in any 180-day period. This can be in the form of a single-entry visa or a multiple-entry visa. The normal processing time for a visa application is 15 days, but this can be extended to up to 45 days if further examination is required. The visa application fee is €90.00 (or €45.00 for children).
To apply for a Schengen visa, you must lodge your application at the consulate of the country you intend to visit. If you are visiting multiple Schengen countries, apply at the consulate of the country where you will be spending the longest time. If your stays in multiple countries are of equal length, apply at the consulate of the first country you will visit. Applications must be submitted at least 15 days before your journey and no earlier than 6 months beforehand.
As part of your application, you will need to provide a valid passport, with an expiry date of at least 3 months after your departure from the Schengen area. You will also need to provide a travel itinerary, including accommodation reservations for your entire trip in the Schengen area. If you are staying at a private address or with your employer, you must provide an invitation letter.
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Transit visa requirements
If you are transiting through Schiphol Amsterdam Airport, you may need an airport transit visa. This depends on your nationality and destination. If you have an airport transit visa, you cannot leave the international transit zone and will not be able to go through passport control. If you want to leave the transit zone, you will need a Schengen visa.
As of 1 December 2022, most travellers with a Turkish passport need an airport transit visa when transferring at Schiphol. If you are a family member of an EU or EEA member state or Switzerland, you may not need an airport transit visa. You will need to prove this with a birth certificate or marriage certificate.
If you are travelling on two separate tickets, you will need to collect your baggage from the belt and check it in again. Otherwise, your baggage will usually be sent to your connecting flight automatically. If you are transferring from a non-Schengen country, you will need to go through additional security checks. If you are transferring from a Schengen country to a non-Schengen country or vice versa, you will need to go through passport control again.
The minimum transfer time at Schiphol is 40 minutes for Schengen flights and 50 minutes for non-Schengen flights. If you have a long layover, you can download the Schiphol app to get alerts about your next flight. The app also allows you to save your flight details. You can also check your next flight's details on the monitors throughout the terminal.
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Transfer times
Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam is one of the busiest airports in Europe, serving as a hub for travellers connecting to other flights. The transfer time at Schiphol can vary depending on several factors, including the type of connection and the passenger's nationality and country of destination.
The minimum required transfer time at Schiphol is 40 minutes for Schengen flights and 50 minutes for non-Schengen flights. However, it is recommended to allow for at least an hour for transfers, and up to two hours to avoid potential delays. This is because, for non-Schengen flights, passengers need to go through additional security and passport checks, which can increase the required transfer time. Additionally, if a passenger's airline is located at a different pier or they are connecting from an EU flight, the walking time could add another 30 minutes to their journey.
To facilitate quick connections, Schiphol has introduced the Short Connection Pass. This allows passengers with short transfer times to get through security and passport controls faster. Special Short Connection Units have been installed at two piers where many connecting passengers arrive. By scanning their boarding pass, passengers can have their connection time calculated based on flight information.
It is important to note that visa requirements may also impact transfer times. Passengers with an airport transit visa cannot leave the international transit zone and must remain within the airport during their transit period. However, if they wish to leave the airport, such as to visit Amsterdam or other places in the Netherlands, they will need a Schengen visa.
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Passport control
All travellers at Schiphol must carry a valid passport or identity card when flying. Most travellers also have to pass through passport control, except those travelling to or from a Schengen country. If you are flying within the Schengen zone, you do not need to pass through passport control at Schiphol.
If you are flying from Schiphol to a country outside of the Schengen zone, you will go through passport control. You can save time by familiarising yourself with the eGates at the self-service passport control. To use the eGates, you need a biometric passport with a chip, and you must be aged 14 or above. If you are travelling with children under 14, you will need to use the traditional checkpoint, where your passport will be checked by a Royal Dutch Marechaussee officer.
If you are using the eGates, follow these steps:
- Walk to passport control and join the queue for the eGates (look for a yellow sign saying 'Self-service passport control').
- Take your passport out of your bag and remove it from any passport holder. Have your passport ready, with the page showing your photo open.
- Remove any sunglasses, hats, or scarves so that your face is fully showing.
- Enter the gate and place your passport photo side down on the scanner.
- Stand on the footprints on the ground and look into the camera. Your face will appear on the screen. Stand still and keep looking into the camera as it takes your photo and compares it with the information in your passport.
- Once the scanner has recognised you, the gate will open automatically. Take your passport and walk through the gate.
If the eGates are closed or unavailable, you will need to join the 'All passports' queue to have your passport checked manually.
The amount of time needed to transfer at Schiphol ranges from 40 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the type of connection. It is recommended that you allow for at least an hour. Immigration tends to be busy during the mornings and early afternoons, so be sure to leave extra time if you are connecting around then.
Some travellers have reported that transferring at Schiphol can be tricky, with long queues and a large airport area to navigate. However, others have found it easy to transit through the airport, especially with clear signage.
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Luggage collection
If you are travelling on two separate tickets, your baggage will usually not be sent to your connecting flight automatically. In this case, you will need to collect your luggage from the baggage reclaim area, or carousel, and check it in again for your next flight.
To find out which gate you need to go to, enter your flight details online or check the monitors throughout the terminal displaying the gate number for your connecting flight. You can also download the Schiphol app, which provides alerts for updates. If you don't have access to the internet, you can use the airport's free Wi-Fi or ask a Schiphol employee for help.
If you have booked assistance with your transfer at the time of booking your trip, assistants will be waiting to help you once you've landed. They will meet you at the gate you landed at and guide you to the departure gate for your connecting flight.
Please note that if you collect your luggage, you will go through passport control and leave the international transit zone. This is only possible if you have a Schengen visa for your transit through the Dutch airport, or if you are allowed to travel to the Netherlands without a visa. If you have an airport transit visa, you cannot go through passport control and will not be able to leave the international transit zone.
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Frequently asked questions
It depends on your nationality and destination. If you have an airport transit visa, you cannot leave the international transit zone. If you want to leave the transit zone, you will need a Schengen visa.
The minimum transfer time is 40 minutes for Schengen flights and 50 minutes for non-Schengen flights.
If you are arriving from a Schengen country, you do not need to go through security again. If you are arriving from a non-Schengen country, you will need to go through additional security checks.
Your baggage will usually be sent to your connecting flight automatically. However, if you are travelling on two separate tickets, you will need to collect your baggage and check it in again.
You can find your gate number by entering your flight details online or on the Schiphol app. If you do not have access to the internet, there are monitors throughout the terminal displaying gate information.
