Schiphol and the corona virus: Frequently asked questions

Always follow your airline’s advice on what time you should arrive at Schiphol. The waiting times are calculated based on that advice. We know how many travellers we can expect at the check-in desks and security check at any moment because of the plans we make for the airport. If you are in the departure hall at the right time, you will join the right queue for your flight and you’ll be surrounded by people flying around the same time as you. Read more about this here.

Yes – you can pick up or drop someone off. Please give other travellers space whenever possible and do not stand too closely together.

The Digital COVID Certificate is digital proof from the European Union that you have:

• been vaccinated against COVID-19, or;
• received a negative test result, or;
• recovered from COVID-19.

The Digital COVID Certificate is valid in all European Union countries. You can use it to travel to EU destinations, as well as countries like Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. Individual countries may still have other requirements regarding testing and quarantine. You also still need to have a filled-in health declaration whenever you travel. Check Netherlandsworldwide.nl to see what applies to your travel destination. In the Netherlands, the Digital COVID Certificate is part of the CoronaCheck app. You can check with your airline whether you need to show your COVID Certificate on your smartphone or on paper for your flight.

The Digital COVID Certificate is a QR code stored on your smartphone. This QR code may be scanned when you check in for your flight at Schiphol or at the gate. The person checking the QR code will see a green screen if you:

• have been vaccinated
• have recently received a negative test result
• have recently had COVID-19

In the Netherlands, the Digital COVID Certificate is part of the CoronaCheck app. You can present the QR code on your phone or printed out on paper. You can check with your airline whether you need to show your COVID Certificate on your smartphone or on paper for your flight.

You do not have to use the app if you would prefer not to; the app is not mandatory. You may also travel using another valid negative test result or proof of vaccination, as long as it meets the requirements of the country you are travelling to. You must always have a completed health declaration with you when you fly to and/or from the Netherlands. For more information, visit coronacheck.nl.

First of all, take a look at the travel advisory for your destination on Netherlandsworldwide.nl. Check whether it says you can enter the country with the Digital COVID Certificate. This certificate shows that you have been vaccinated, received a negative test result or recently recovered from COVID-19. You can check with your airline whether you need to show your COVID Certificate on your smartphone or on paper for your flight.

Next, you must ensure you have the digital certificate on your phone or printed out on paper. In the Netherlands, you can do that on the website coronacheck.nl. Your details will be entered into the certificate when you log in using your DigiD. A QR code will be made with the proof that you have been vaccinated, have a negative test result or have recently had COVID-19. This QR code – on the CoronaCheck app or on paper – may be scanned at the check-in desk at Schiphol or at the gate. If a green screen appears, you may travel. We wish you a pleasant journey!

If you are flying from within the EU/Schengen Zone, you are no longer required to show a negative test result or proof of vaccination or recovery using your Digital COVID Certificate (QR code). If you are flying to the Netherlands from a destination outside of Europe, check the information here. As of 10 January 2023, travellers flying out of China are required to have a negative test result.

Which test you need and how long prior to your flight you need to take it depends on your destination. You can find out by looking up your destination on Netherlandsworldwide.nl.
If you are flying to Schiphol from abroad, the test you need to take depends on the risk level of the country you are travelling from. Check Government.nl to find out exactly what you need for your journey.

Find out where you can take a COVID-19 test abroad on Netherlandsworldwide.nl.

Yes, and you can also fly if you have not (yet) been vaccinated. A coronavirus vaccination is not a requirement to be able to travel. However, do check the travel advisory for your destination before departure. You can find it on Netherlandsworldwide.nl or you can contact your airline. You can travel to many destinations with your proof of vaccination so that testing is not necessary.

Please note: your proof of vaccination must comply with the Dutch requirements, find out more on Government.nl. It is still possible that your destination will require you to take a coronavirus test or to go into quarantine upon arrival.

Yes, if this is a requirement of the country you are travelling to, you must have a recent negative COVID-19 test result with you. There are many destinations you can travel to that only require proof of vaccination and do not require testing. Check what applies to your journey by looking up your destination on Netherlandsworldwide.nl or contact your airline to find out whether you need a negative test result.

If you are travelling (back) to Schiphol from a country or area outside of the EU/Schengen Area that has been classified as very high-risk, a negative COVID-19 test result is compulsory. You only need to present proof of vaccination if you are travelling from within the EU/Schengen Area. Read more about proof of vaccination on Government.nl.

Whether or not you need a recent negative COVID test result depends on the country you are flying to. You can check the travel advisory for your destination on Netherlandsworldwide.nl or ask your airline. There are many EU destinations you can travel to with proof of recovery (meaning you do not need to get tested).

Testing is no longer required if you are travelling (back) to Schiphol. If you are flying to the Netherlands from within the EU/Schengen Zone, you are also no longer required to show a negative test result or proof of vaccination or recovery using your Digital COVID Certificate (QR code).

If you’d like to find out what applies to your journey (back) to the Netherlands, go to Government.nl. As a resident of the Netherlands, please visit reizentijdenscorona.rijksoverheid.nl and fill in the country you are travelling from and when you will be travelling. You’ll see which rules apply to you and what you need to arrange before arriving at Schiphol. We recommend that you check the government's website regularly while you are abroad.

No, a health declaration is no longer required at Schiphol. Check with your airline whether you may need a health certificate for your country of destination.

You are no longer required to go into quarantine upon arrival at Schiphol. Mandatory quarantine only applies to travellers coming from a country where a variant of concern has emerged. To find out exactly what you need to do before travelling (back) to the Netherlands, go to reizentijdenscorona.rijksoverheid.nl.

Yes, you need to fill in a quarantine declaration if you are travelling to the Netherlands from a very high-risk area. This requirement also applies to fully vaccinated travellers. Download the quarantine declaration, print it out and then complete and sign it. Alternatively, use the digital form on quarantinedeclaration.government.nl. Your airline may ask to see this declaration or ask that you hand it in. That's why you need the quarantine declaration with you when you travel.

Some destinations require travellers to undergo a temperature check before they board the plane to make sure they do not have a fever. There is therefore a possibility that your airline will take your temperature at Schiphol using an infrared thermometer on your forehead. If you want to find out if this applies to your flight, get in touch with your airline.

Please stay at home if you have health problems yourself, such as a fever, or mild complaints such as the common cold, runny nose, sneezing, sore throat or a mild cough. We consider the health of you and your fellow travellers to be most important. If you feel fine, but suspect that a fellow traveller has complaints, please keep your distance and warn a Schiphol or airline employee and they will assist you further.

Yes, you can transfer at Schiphol if you are coming from a country or area that is considered safe. Check the the Dutch government website to find out what applies to your journey. If your onward journey is within 24 hours and you do not leave the airport, you are not required to present a negative test result for your transfer. However, you do need to bring a completed health declaration with you.

You are also allowed to transfer at Schiphol if you are fully vaccinated and you are able to show valid proof of vaccination. If you stay at the airport during your transfer, you will not have to do any extra tests. However, do check what the coronavirus rules are in the country you are travelling to.

If you stay at Schiphol during your transfer, you do not need a new negative COVID-19 test result. The test result you had upon arrival at Schiphol remains valid during your transfer, including any potential delays. Please check the requirements of your final destination to ensure you comply with the entry regulations of that country or area.

You are allowed to transfer at Schiphol if you are fully vaccinated and you are able to show valid proof of vaccination. If you stay at the airport during your transfer, you will not have to do any extra tests. However, do check what the coronavirus rules are in the country you are travelling to. You will need to have a recent negative COVID test result with you if the country you are travelling to requires it. Get in touch with your airline to find out if you need a negative test result for your destination.

If you are fully vaccinated and travelling through Schiphol's transit zone from a very high-risk area, you are no longer required to go into quarantine. It does not matter if you leave the airport or not. If you do go through passport control, please take into account the rules that apply regarding entry into the Netherlands during the pandemic.

Please note that the quarantine declaration is mandatory for all travellers from very high-risk areas, regardless of whether they are making a transfer or staying in the Netherlands. You can print, complete and sign the form or use the digital quarantine declaration at quarantinedeclaration.government.nl. On the form, you indicate that you are transferring at Schiphol and that you are therefore exempt from quarantine in the Netherlands. You can find a list of safe, high-risk and very high-risk areas on the Dutch government website. Check the website to find out what applies to your journey.

If you leave the transit zone and enter the Netherlands through passport control, please take into account the rules that apply regarding entry into the Netherlands during the coronavirus pandemic.

No, you are no longer required to wear a face mask as of 21 May 2022. If you would prefer to wear a face mask at the airport, you can of course do so. Check the rules that apply in the country you are flying to. It's possible that you will need to wear a face mask there at certain locations.

We ask that all travellers aged 12 and above wear a face mask at the airport. It’s compulsory from the moment you scan your boarding pass until when you get on the plane. Or from the moment you leave the plane until when you leave baggage reclaim. Children under 13 do not have to wear a mask. Please bring extra face masks for yourself and your children because there may be different rules in the country that you are flying to.

You can buy face masks at various shops in Schiphol Plaza and in the lounges. Face masks are also available at vending machines across the airport where you can buy one fast and easily. Read more about which face mask is suitable. In some countries an FFP2 mouth mask is mandatory, these are also available in the vending machines at Schiphol.

You may be searched if something is found during the compulsory security scans, which are performed when you enter the security area. If something is found, a security officer will come close to you – wearing a face mask and gloves – because they are unable to maintain a 1.5-metre distance for the purposes of their job. Please ensure you also use your own face mask at this point. Hand sanitisers are available so that you can disinfect your hands after the checks.

We ask that you give each other space at Schiphol whenever possible. This can be rather challenging at some locations where you are required to wait, such as the check-in desks, security and passport control, and during boarding and getting off the plane. You may be requested to stand a little closer to other people at these locations. We really appreciate you following the instructions given by Schiphol staff.

Just like in the rest of the Netherlands, we are still advised to keep a distance from each other where possible. This means that people stand further apart, which can make the departure and arrival halls seem busier. Check crowd levels for your travel day here.

As of 26 January 2022, the catering facilities before and after security will be open until 22:00 again, which is in accordance with the usual opening hours. You can still order food and drink to take away after 22:00.
At bars, cafés and restaurants, you are required to present a corona entry pass, you will be allocated a place to sit, and you must keep a 1.5-metre distance.

Yes, as long as the sanitiser is stored in a 100 ml container. The sanitiser is subject to the liquid rules. There are more tips on what you can bring with liquids in your hand baggage here.

You can use any of the amenities at the airport to wash your hands. You can also disinfect your personal items – such as your phone, passport and keys – using UV-C light at our special Sanitising Service. In addition, we have placed additional hand sanitisers in Departures and Arrivals which are available for free. Please regularly disinfect your hands at these points and try to touch as few things as possible.