Passport control
New passport control rules for passengers crossing Schengen’s external bordersThe EU has amended its Schengen rules so that from 7 October 2017 the police must scan the passports of all passengers crossing the Schengen borders. The new EU-rules is amended in order to strengthen the external borders and support the internal security of Denmark and the EU.The new rules mean that all passengers crossing Schengen’s external borders must have their passports scanned by the police at Copenhagen Airport. The passport can then be checked against relevant databases.Up to now, not all passports have been scanned. Scanning more passports will naturally take longer.
Applies only when travelling outside the Schengen Area*.
The new EU rules apply only to passengers who are leaving the Schengen Area. If you are travelling domestic or inside the Schengen Area, there is no extended passport control.
*Schengen member states: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden.
The same rules apply: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.
Location of the passport control at Copenhagen Airport
Note that the passport control is not the same as the security checkpoint.
You will find the passport control in the shopping area, after you have gone through the security checkpoint. The main passport control is located at the start of Pier C, but there is also a passport control in Pier F.
See map of the airport here (PDF)
Extra staffing
In cooperation with the police, we have increased passport control staffing, but we still expect that there will be queues at times.
Copenhagen Airport and the police are therefore working closely together to ensure that passengers get through passport control as quickly and smoothly as possible. This especially applies to transfer passengers.
The police and Copenhagen Airport are asking passengers travelling out of the Schengen Area to be patient and to follow the recommendations of their airline or travel agent on when to arrive at the airport.
We look forward to seeing you at Copenhagen Airport and wish you a good journey.
Good advice:
- Arrive at the airport in good time and follow the recommendations of your airline or travel agent.
- Track your departure on the CPH Airport app or at www.cph.dk under “Flight information” and keep up to date on your gate.
- Check the waiting time in passport control on the information screens at the airport.
- Have your passport ready for inspection when you reach passport control.
- Note that all family members must show their passports separately.
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Self service passport control
If you are travelling outside Schengen, you must go through the passport control. In Copenhagen Airport there is self-service passport control at Pier C.Passengers arriving and departing from the Schengen area can use the self-service passport control at Pier C, which allows passengers to scan their passport by themselves.
Who can use the self-service passport control?
In order for you to use the automatic self-service passport control, the following criteria must be met:
- You must have a so-called electronic passport with a chip. An electronic passport can be recognized by having this symbol on the front page.
- You must be 18 years or older.
- You must be either EU, EEA or Swiss citizen.
If the above does not apply to you, use one of the manned passport controls that are located next to the automatic scanners.
Manned passport control
The manned passport controls are divided between “EU, EEA and CH” and “All Passports”.
The “EU, EEA and CH” boxes are reserved for nationals of EU and EEA countries and Swiss citizens who can not use the self-service passport control.
Families with children under the age of 18, where everyone has passports from a European country, should use the “EU, EEA & CH” queue.
The “All Passports” stands can be used by all nationalities. They will primarily be used by citizens from non-EU countries. If you have a passport from a European country but are accompanied by people who have a non-EU passport, you can use the “All Passports” queue together.
Shopping carts and further assistance
If you use one of the shopping carts around the airport, you are allowed to bring it through the manned passports stations. However, you can not take the cart with you through the self-service passport control.
Staff will be available to assist when you reach passport area. You can identify them by their orange jerseys. |
Passport and visa
Before going on a trip, it is a good idea to familiarize yourself with the passport and visa regulations that apply to your destination.Passengers traveling between the Schengen countries can in principle travel without being requested to show their passport, whereas control is intensified for passengers from non-participating countries. When traveling in and out of Schengen, all passengers must go through the passport control.
Trips to the United States
Passengers flying to the United States must fill out an ESTA application online 72 hours prior to their departure.
On flights from Copenhagen Airport to the US, there is an additional security check at the gate. Ensure all mobile/electronic devices have enough battery power to be turned on at security if requested.
Trips to Canada
Passengers flying to Canada must fill out an eTA application online 72 hours prior to their departure. |
