Royal Netherlands Marechaussee prepares for busy summer holiday period at Schiphol Airport
This coming Friday marks the start of the summer holiday for the first region in the Netherlands. The Royal Netherlands Marechaussee anticipates a busy period at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol. Between 4 July and 31 August 2025, an estimated 5.8 million travellers are expected to pass through passport control.
On a daily basis, approximately 95,000 travellers pass through passport control. Throughout the entire summer holiday period, approximately 1.8 million arriving passengers and 1.9 million departing passengers are expected to clear passport control. Additionally, over 2.2 million transferring passengers will be registered.
During a holiday period, more travellers fly simultaneously. This can result in longer waiting times at passport control. Likewise, when many travellers return from their trips at the same time, they may also experience longer waits at passport control. Travellers should take this into account and are advised to prepare thoroughly.
Major Michiel van Leeuwen, brigade commander: "Border work is a specialism, and I am proud that we manage to pull it off every time. Because, no matter how busy it gets: we make no concessions whatsoever to safety at Schiphol."
Tips for a smooth journey
- Validity of travel documents: Check the validity of your passport or identity card and any required visas in good time. These must be valid for the entire duration of your trip. Some countries also require a longer validity period for your travel document than the duration of your stay. Please inquire about this with the embassy or consulate of the country you are travelling to. The Royal Netherlands Marechaussee only issues emergency passports in very special cases and under strict conditions. Please note that not all countries accept a Dutch emergency passport.
- Travelling with minors: Minor children require consent to travel abroad. Parents, guardians, or those with legal authority must provide this consent. At the border, the Marechaussee verifies who has legal authority and if consent has been granted.
- Outstanding fines: Pay any outstanding fines in good time. You can check if you have any Dutch outstanding fines via the website of the Central Judicial Collection Agency (CJIB).
- Use the eGates: Where possible, make use of the automatic passport control gates (eGates). This speeds up the control process and is available for travellers aged 14 and over who hold a passport from an eligible country.
The Royal Netherlands Marechaussee wishes all travellers a pleasant summer holiday.