Amsterdam Airport Arrivals

The Terminal Building

Amsterdam Airport consists of one vast terminal building, which is divided into three halls often referred to as separate terminals. That being said, they are interconnected and part of the same structure. Overall, AMS Airport has adopted the “single terminal concept,” gathering all its facilities in one building, allowing passengers to navigate the premises easily regardless of their departure or arrival gate. The center of the building is Schiphol Plaza, the renowned shopping mall located landside, attracting even visitors with no onward air journeys.

Overall, the airport is divided into Schengen and non-Schengen areas. Arrivals are located on the Ground level and are split into four halls: Arrivals 1, Arrivals 2, Arrivals 3, and Arrivals 4. Each hall features its own baggage claim area, border control checkpoints, and customs. The exits lead to Schiphol Plaza, which houses a variety of shops and dining facilities.

Airlines Operating at AMS Terminal

AMS Airport Arrival Procedures

Passengers arriving at Amsterdam Airport follow different procedures depending on their nationality and departure country. Thus, travelers with an EU passport and citizens of countries that are part of the Schengen zone can simply retrieve their baggage and exit their arrivals hall.

In detail, as soon as you land at Schiphol Airport, you’ll be guided to the terminal building via a platform, a passenger bridge, or even a bus ride. Once you reach the terminal, you can follow the signs toward the Lounges — the areas with shopping facilities — or head to the baggage-claim area of your arrival hall and the exit doors. Yellow signs indicate the way to the baggage-reclaim zones and the exits. If you have baggage to collect, you’ll need to proceed to the baggage claim area. Information boards display which baggage carousel is handling each flight. If you download the airport app, you’ll have access to more information, including which arrival hall you’re arriving at, which baggage belt handles your flight, and whether your luggage has been unloaded from the aircraft. After collecting your bags, you can exit the airside part of the terminal to the pre-security zone (Schiphol Plaza) and decide how to travel to your final destination in Amsterdam.

There are various ways to reach Amsterdam from Schiphol Airport. Airport taxis line up at the taxi rank outside the exit doors of Schiphol Plaza. The bus stops are also located there. Private airport transfers and ride-hailing companies also operate in Amsterdam. Car rental companies have desks inside Schiphol Plaza (Car Rental & Service Desk area). Finally, trains (one of the most popular transit options in the Netherlands) serve the airport as well. The train station can be found on the terminal’s underground level.

On the other hand, if you are an EU citizen arriving from a non-Schengen destination, you’ll need to go through passport control before collecting your luggage. The same applies to citizens of Norway, Liechtenstein, Iceland, and Switzerland. The border control is operated by the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee, a branch of the Dutch armed forces, and can often be a time-consuming procedure. Passengers who hold an EU passport with a microchip can use the passport scanners, significantly reducing waiting time. The service speeds up border control through the automated e-gates and can be used by travelers who are 14 or older. After passport control, travelers collect their luggage. However, they don’t reach the exit doors directly, but must also pass through customs clearance, declaring goods imported from countries outside the EU. For instance, if you’re traveling with luxury goods costing more than 430€/500$, you must pay taxes. The same applies to cigarettes, tobacco, and alcoholic drinks exceeding specific quantities. Customs rules are also imposed on large amounts of cash, medicines, pets, counterfeit products, and food. If you have something to declare, you’ll need to wait in the red line. Otherwise, please stand on the green line to go through customs. Once you complete this procedure, you can exit the Arrival hall and proceed to the transfer option of your choice.

Are you a non-EU citizen (or not a Norwegian, Icelandic, Swiss, or Liechtenstein national) arriving at AMS Airport from a non-EU destination? Although the arrival procedures are the same, traditional passport stamping has been replaced by the EES (Entry/Exit System) in the EU. The new system was put into operation at Schiphol on November 3, 2025. It applies to travelers 12 years of age or older who are not EU nationals and plan to stay in the EU for a short period of time (a total of 3 months within a 180-day period).  As soon as you reach immigration, you must provide your biometric data (facial scan and fingerprint scan), as well as scan your passport. The biometric data is kept for 3 years or until the passport expires, meaning that you won’t have to re-provide them if you travel within this time. The border officer may ask further questions if necessary. After border control, you’ll retrieve your baggage, go through customs, and exit the terminal to start your journey to the city of Amsterdam.

Our Tip: If you’re a Privium member, you’ll have priority during passport control. The fast track service also applies to transit travelers transferring from a Schengen to a non-Schengen destination. Through an iris scan, Privium members pass quickly through immigration. The Privium Card is personal and can be used only by its owner.

The Baggage Claim Zones

Each Arrivals hall features a baggage claim zone. As Arrivals are located on the terminal’s Ground level, the baggage reclaim zones can be found on that floor as well. Baggage belts 1-6 are located at Arrivals 1, while passengers arriving at Arrivals 2 can collect their luggage from baggage carousels 8-14. Baggage belts 15-19 can be found at Arrivals 3, and the carousels 20-22 lie at Arrivals 4. If you’re traveling with oversized or bulky luggage, you’ll retrieve it from the odd-size baggage belts, located behind baggage carousel 7 (Arrivals 1), baggage carousel 3 (Arrivals 3), and baggage carousel 20 (Arrivals 4). Luggage carts are available at all baggage claim zones of AMS Airport, facilitating passengers in transferring their luggage once they collect it.

Our Tip: The airport app offers valuable information, including the baggage belt assigned to each flight. Moreover, it informs passengers whether their luggage has been unloaded from the aircraft, helping them estimate waiting time at the baggage claim area.

The Pick-up Zones

Do you want to pick up your loved ones or business partners from Schiphol Airport? Parking in front of the Arrivals area isn’t an option. Instead, drivers can use the P1 Pick-up and Drop-off facility to park their vehicles and wait for passengers at the meeting point. Car Park P1 is located close to the terminal building (2-3 minutes from its doors on foot), spreads over two floors offering ample parking spaces, and also features charging stations for electric vehicles. Part of the designated area for pick-ups is covered — ideal regardless of weather conditions. You can enter the parking lot using the license plate‑recognition system or by providing your credit card. You’ll receive a parking ticket, which you’ll use to pay your parking fees. You’ll pay 2.50€/2.70$ for every 20 minutes of parking at P1.

Stay Informed on the AMS Flight Schedule

Why wait at the airport to pick up passengers if the flight is delayed or, even more, cancelled? Or why worry about your loved ones’ air journey when you can be constantly informed of every change on the flight timetable? Our flight status table can keep you updated on delays and cancellations, allowing you to adjust your plans accordingly.

Additionally, the airport website informs passengers about the estimated waiting time during the airport procedures. Search for your flight and check the provided information: the average time from the gate until the terminal’s exit, as well as the expected time for each process (passport control, baggage claim, etc.). Similarly, the airport app provides constant updates. In fact, you can receive notifications via WhatsApp or the Schiphol app.

FAQs

Where are Arrivals in Schiphol?

Arrivals are located on the Ground level of the AMS terminal. They are spread over four halls (Arrivals 1-4). Each hall features immigration, a baggage claim area, and customs. The exits of all Arrivals halls lead to Schiphol Plaza.

How long does it take to get through Amsterdam Arrivals?

The duration of the Arrivals procedures depends on many factors, such as the time of the day, the period of the year, the departure country, and the passenger’s nationality. Overall, travelers need 40 minutes to slightly more than an hour to get from the gate to the terminal’s exit. In any case, they can find useful information regarding the average waiting time through the airport’s website and the Schiphol app.

How long does baggage claim take at Schiphol?

Waiting time at Schiphol’s baggage claim area depends on several factors, such as the volume of airport flight traffic. Passengers generally wait 10-30 minutes to collect their baggage. In any case, the airport’s app and website provide useful information, including the baggage belt assigned to each flight, the status of the luggage (whether it has been loaded or unloaded from the plane), and the estimated waiting time at the baggage carousels.