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Schengen Area Transit

Transit rules and visa requirements for Schengen Area airports.

Quick Facts

Transiting through a Schengen Area airport can be confusing. Some passengers can stay airside without a visa, while others need an Airport Transit Visa (ATV) even to change planes. The rules depend on your nationality and your routing.

Transit Zone Airside
ATV Countries ~20
Key Exemptions Valid Schengen visa/permit
Schengen Airports 30 countries

Schengen vs Non-Schengen Transit

When you transit through a Schengen Area airport, the key question is whether you remain airside — inside the international transit zone — or need to pass through immigration.

If you stay within the international transit zone, you don't technically enter the Schengen Area. You follow signs to your connecting gate, never crossing a passport control checkpoint. For most nationalities, this means no visa or travel authorization is needed for the layover itself.

However, if you need to change terminals, collect and recheck your luggage, or exit the airside area for any reason, you will pass through immigration. At that point, you are entering the Schengen Area and must have the appropriate authorization — whether that's a Schengen visa, ETIAS, or visa-free status for your nationality.

Not all airports handle transit the same way. Larger hubs like Frankfurt, Amsterdam Schiphol, and Paris CDG have well-established international transit zones. Smaller regional airports may not have a secure airside connection between gates, which could force you through immigration even on a "transit" routing.

Terminal Changes & Luggage

If your connecting flight departs from a different terminal or you need to collect and recheck luggage, you may need to pass through immigration — which means you need proper entry authorization.

Who Can Transit Without a Visa

  • ETIAS-eligible nationals (60 countries)
  • Holders of a valid Schengen visa
  • Holders of a Schengen residence permit
  • EU/EEA/Swiss nationals
  • Holders of valid visas for certain countries (US, Canada, Japan, etc.)

How Schengen Transit Works

  1. 1

    Arrive at the airport

    Your airline tags your luggage through to the final destination (if applicable).

  2. 2

    Stay in the transit zone

    Follow signs to your connecting gate without passing through passport control.

  3. 3

    Board your next flight

    If everything is within the same terminal and airside, no immigration check is needed.

Transit Guides

Transit Hub

Overview of European transit rules

Airport Guides

Guides to major European transit airports

Transit Visa

When you need an Airport Transit Visa

Schengen Transit FAQs

What happens if my flight is delayed and I miss my connection?
You may be rebooked. If you need to stay overnight, you'll need to clear immigration and enter the Schengen Area.
Do I need ETIAS for a Schengen transit?
If you stay airside in the transit zone, ETIAS is not needed. But if you exit the transit zone, you'll need ETIAS (or a visa) depending on your nationality.
Which Schengen airports have transit zones?
Most major hubs do (Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Paris CDG, Munich, Zurich, etc.) but some smaller airports may not have a secure transit area.
Can I do a city visit during a long layover?
Yes, but you'll need to clear immigration. Ensure you have the right authorization (visa, ETIAS, or visa exemption) before leaving the transit zone.

Explore More

Transit Hub Airport Guides Transit Visa ETIAS Guide

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