- Your airline
- The German Embassy of the respective countries of origin
- The German Federal Police at +49 69 690 78578 or the free service hotline at 0800 6888000 (from within Germany only).
At border control, the authorities check your travel documents and ensure that entry is permitted. Whether and how you are checked depends on your nationality and whether you are leaving or entering the Schengen Area.
Travel within the Schengen Area
When traveling from one Schengen country to another, there are usually no border controls. After the security check, you proceed directly to the gate.
Schengen countries (as of 2025):
Germany, Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Croatia, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Czech Republic, Hungary.
Travel outside the Schengen Area
If you are entering or leaving from a country outside the Schengen Area, you must pass through border control. There are two different procedures:
- Citizens of the EU, the EEA, and Switzerland, as well as holders of a German residence permit, use EasyPASS.
- Non-EU citizens (third-country nationals) will go through the Entry-Exit System (EES) from 29 October 2025.
Check Entry Requirements
Before your trip, find out about the required entry documents from the embassy of your destination country or from the Federal Foreign Office. Always carry valid identification documents (e.g., child’s passport, national ID card, passport) with you and check their validity in good time.
Please note that some countries require a passport and may demand that it is valid for at least six months beyond your stay. Border officials may also request additional documents such as invitation letters, proof of accommodation, or return tickets.
Border control until 29 October
Until 29 October, border control at Frankfurt Airport will operate as usual. Please proceed directly to the border officer, have your travel documents ready, and hand over the required paperwork. After the inspection, you may continue through the control as normal.
Entry-Exit System
(from 29 October)
Procedure
Please use the option to enter your data in advance at a self-service kiosk to reduce waiting times. Alternatively, you can go directly to the border control desk—however, this may take more time.
At the Self-Service Kiosk
Please note that the introduction of EES at Frankfurt Airport is being implemented in phases. A self-service kiosk will not be available at every border control point right away; in this case, please contact a border officer.
If you have a biometric passport, you can complete registration at a self-service kiosk. The entire process is self-explanatory and will guide you step by step directly at the kiosk:
- Scan your passport.
- Have your facial photo and fingerprints taken.
- Then proceed to the border control desk, where your data will be briefly checked and your fingerprints scanned again.
At the Border Control Desk
If you do not have a biometric passport, are under 12 years old, or require assistance:
- Registration will be carried out directly at the desk by a border officer.
- Your passport will be scanned, a facial photo taken, and your fingerprints recorded.
- Please allow some extra time for this process.
For more information, please visit the website of the Federal Police or click here.
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