Generally, no passport and identity checks are carried out within the Schengen area. However, member states of this agreement can make exceptions to this rule at any time, such as in the face of a threat.
At the moment, the Schengen area covers 26 European countries, 22 of which are part of the European Union. You must always keep personal identity documents on your person and show these upon request.
Passport control:
If you are arriving at BER from outside Europe or from non-Schengen countries or are travelling to these countries, your travel documents will be checked at the entry or exit counters of the Federal Police. Please also make use of the easyPass controls.
For airports in Germany, there may be separate counters for travellers from EU states as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland as well as travellers from outside the Schengen area for the purpose of speeding up arrivals.
Before starting your journey, please check that your travel documentation is still valid. The passport or identity card must be valid for at least the duration of the journey abroad, whilst many countries have additional requirements. Please ensure that you are aware of the regulations in the destination country and the security situation.
Information on your destination country
As well as valid travel documentation, many countries (depending on destination: passport or ID card) also request an entry visa. If you do not come from a country within the Schengen area, then you should also check whether you also require a visa for your destination even if travelling within the Schengen area.
The consulate or diplomatic mission of the target country is responsible for issuing a visa. Please note that as the passenger, you are responsible for observing regulations and that non-compliance may result in travel being rejected.
If you have lost or forgotten your passport, you can contact the German Federal Police at the airport.
EasyPass: Automatic passport control
Use EasyPass to get through passport control quickly and easily.
Scan your electronic travel document, look into the camera - and you've already passed border control. The automated border control system is secure, easy to use and makes border crossing even faster. The system is a free and voluntary supplement to conventional border control.
Prerequisite for easyPass is an electronic passport from the European Union, the European Economic Area and Switzerland. In addition, travellers must be at least 12 years old. German nationals have the option of using the automated border control system with the new German identity card. In addition, third-country nationals (after successful registration in EasyPASS-RTP) from the USA, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Korea can use the system. Please go to the Federal Police Service Point in Terminal 1.
Watch the video (YouTube) to find out how it works.
Answers to frequently asked questions
Information on the use of EasyPass for third-country nationals with a German residence title
Further controls
for passengers and baggage
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