Hello,
I'm wondering if you have to go through customs/passport control if you're connecting though countries within the EU. For example, if I'm going from VIE-BRU-FRA, will I have to stand in line at customs in Brussels and Frankfurt?
Posted by
Firenze, Italy
1532 posts
Within EU states (most of Europe but not all Europe) there are no custom controls. The tag on your luggage will have green edges to let custom people, if any, know that your baggage should not be controlled.
Traveling between states in the Schengen area - that is not the same thing as EU - there should be no immigration controls, but frankly you will have to show your passport so many times - at checkin, at security controls, when boarding - that you may not note the difference. Also, states may temporarily reinstate border checks - for example when a terrorist action is feared or out of concern for illegal mass immigration.
So, when traveling say, from France to Italy, there should be no control at all. When traveling from France to Switzerland (that is in Schengen but not in EU) you may be subject to a custom control and paying duties on imports. When traveling from France to UK (that is in EU, till Brexit will come, but not in Schengen) you are subject to a border passport control.
Posted by
Vienna, Austria
5399 posts
Flying from VIE-BRU-FRA would be like flying from IAH-GSO-IAD. No customs, no passport control as these are all Schengen countries.