Do I have to go through customs if I have a connecting flight in Frankfurt?

Do I Need to Go Through Customs for Connecting Flights in Frankfurt?

Frankfurt Airport, a major international hub, often necessitates customs and passport checks for connecting flights, particularly for travelers entering the Schengen Area (a group of European countries with open borders).

Schengen Area Considerations

For travelers entering the Schengen Area from non-Schengen countries, it is mandatory to undergo customs and passport checks at the first point of entry, regardless of whether they have a connecting flight. This applies even if the final destination is within the Schengen Area.

Procedure for Connecting Flights

When connecting to a flight within the Schengen Area from a non-Schengen country, passengers will typically:

1. Disembark the first flight and proceed to the designated passport control area.
2. Present their passport and/or visa (if applicable) for inspection.
3. Collect their checked baggage after passport control.
4. Check in and re-enter the secure area for their connecting flight.

Exceptions

There are a few exceptions to the general rule of undergoing customs and passport checks for connecting flights in Frankfurt:

• Intra-Schengen Connections: If both the origin and destination of the connecting flights are within the Schengen Area, there are typically no customs or passport checks.
• Transit Area: In some cases, Frankfurt Airport may offer a transit area that allows passengers to remain airside without having to go through customs or passport control. This is typically only available for onward flights to non-Schengen destinations.

Conclusion

In summary, most connecting flights in Frankfurt require passengers to go through customs and passport checks, especially when entering the Schengen Area. It is important to plan for this by allowing sufficient time for the necessary procedures. However, there may be exceptions for intra-Schengen connections or in cases where passengers are able to use the transit area.