Passport control on departure: Schengen vs non-Schengen
When you leave the Netherlands via Schiphol, there is an important distinction:
Flights within the Schengen area (e.g. Spain, Italy, Germany):
There is no compulsory passport control. There is a security check (baggage scanner, body scan). You need a valid travel document, but it is usually only scanned at the gate.
Flights outside Schengen (e.g. the US, Turkey, the UK):
There is a compulsory passport check by the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee. You pass through border control before entering the non-Schengen departure area.
Good to know
Since 1 January 2025 the Schengen area has consisted of 29 European countries, now that Bulgaria and Romania have fully joined. Within the area you can travel freely without passport checks. The United Kingdom is not part of Schengen, and since Brexit no longer part of the EU either — so you always need a passport there.
How does border control at Schiphol work?
At Schiphol you can choose between two types of passport control:
1. E-gate (automated border passage): For holders of a biometric (chipped) passport from the EU, the EEA or Switzerland. Travellers with a passport from the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, New Zealand, Hong Kong or Malaysia can also use the e-gates. ID cards are not accepted at the e-gates and the minimum age is 14. You scan your passport yourself, look into the camera and the gate opens. Fast: on average 10–20 seconds per person.
2. Desk: For travellers without a chipped passport, travellers with an ID card, children under 14 and travellers who need extra checks. Usually a longer wait, especially in summer.
Recommendation: use the e-gate if you have a chipped passport — at busy times it often saves a lot of waiting.
EES and ETIAS: new rules at the border
Since 10 April 2026 the Entry/Exit System (EES) has been fully operational. Travellers from outside the EU register their fingerprints and a facial image at the border; passport stamps are now a thing of the past. At Schiphol you can pre-register these details at a kiosk.
ETIAS is not yet in operation. There is no official start date (it is expected in 2027) and applications are not yet possible. Beware of websites that already ask for money for it.
EU citizens travelling to the United Kingdom have needed a UK ETA since 2 April 2025.
Customs on arrival: green or red channel?
When you arrive at Schiphol from a non-EU country, you pass through customs. You then choose:
Green channel (nothing to declare):
You have nothing with you that exceeds the duty-free allowances. This is the fastest route — you simply walk through.
Red channel (goods to declare):
You have goods that exceed the allowances, or you are unsure. Customs officers will help you. Being honest is always the best option — if you are caught in the green channel, you risk a fine.
Duty-free allowances when returning from a non-EU country (aged 17 and over):
- Goods worth up to €430 (per person, when travelling by air) — perfume also counts towards this
- 1 litre of spirits over 22% or 2 litres of fortified or sparkling wine
- plus 4 litres of still wine
- plus 16 litres of beer
- 200 cigarettes (or 100 cigarillos, 50 cigars or 250 grams of tobacco)
Good to know
Travellers returning from outside the EU may bring in goods worth up to €430 without declaring them to customs. Anything above that must be declared and is taxable.
What do customs check in your luggage?
Dutch Customs (Belastingdienst/Douane) carries out random checks on luggage on arrival. Priority goes to:
- Flights from known high-risk countries (drugs, prohibited goods)
- Travellers who appear nervous or behave conspicuously
- Random spot checks
Goods you may not bring into the Netherlands:
- Drugs, including soft drugs
- Fresh fruit and vegetables from outside the EU (with a few exceptions, such as bananas and pineapples)
- Meat and meat products from outside the EU
- Endangered species (CITES-protected)
- Counterfeit products
- Weapons without a licence
Tips for getting through the checks smoothly
- Many countries require your passport to be valid for at least 6 months on arrival; check the requirements of your destination
- Children always need their own travel document — babies too
- Keep receipts for expensive purchases made abroad
- Never pack prohibited food in your hand luggage — customs checks specifically for this
- Unsure about a purchase? Take the red channel — that is always better than a fine
Arriving at Schiphol and looking for a reliable taxi home? AMS Taxi Schiphol picks you up upstairs at Departure Hall 2 — 24/7 and for a fixed price. If you have any questions, call our dispatch on +31 85 400 5400.
