International Layover

Paris. The first place you land when entering the Schengen area.

You will go though passport control/immigration in Paris and customs in Madrid. Customs is just a walk-though -- green door if you have nothing to declare and red door if you have something to declare.

Hmm. I found a good deal on a flight to Madrid but I have a 1-1/2 hour layover in Paris. That wont be enough time.

Is the good deal using the same airline for both flights, or at least on partner airlines? Will you be checking your luggage, or doing carry-on only? If the airline is comfortable selling you the flights with that layover time, they will get you to Madrid.

Yes, not enough time in Paris, especially if your flight is delayed. CDG is not considered a good airport for short layovers.

You may be fine. In my experience, planes generally land early from the US, giving you a pad, and if the airline believes it is a good amount of time, then it should be. They will get you there regardless, I do like to look at the schedule and see if there is another flight that day, which gives me some comfort.

For example, I will be flying through Schiphol to Portugal in April, I have an hour and a half, but I know there is another flight a few hours later.

Do make sure you are looking for the "connecting flights" path, that immigration queue will be shorter than the exit to Paris, and look for people managing the line, tell them you have a short connection, they likely will move you to the front of the line.

Both flights are on Air France. Ill have to see if they have another flight that same day.

The thing about short layovers is I'm always looking at my watch and doing calculations in my head. I don't like the stress, but sometimes the short layovers are a LOT cheaper for whatever reason.

The "Schengen Zone" sounds rather ominous, like a WWII thriller starring Humphrey Bogart and Mae West. I can't get enough of Mae West. I wonder why?