I have searched for a definitive answer on the internet with varied results so will try here. My wife is a Chinese citizen and a US permanent resident (green card). She has a Shengen Visa for our trip to Europe in September. Since we have not traveled to Europe together I have a question about how we should approach passport control in Frankfurt. My wife still uses her maiden name and that is what is on her passport. Do we approach the passport officer counter together or separately? In the US we would be allowed to approach together as a family traveling together because we would have only one customs declaration form. I am not sure about the proper procedure in Germany or other countries in the Schengen Zone.
Posted by
Chicago
8126 posts
Approach together. Many times that I pass through passport control (including in Germany) the agent asked if I was traveling alone and when I said no they would wave my family member or companion over to be processed together
Posted by
Bavaria
2457 posts
There are Schengen and non-Schengen control points, nothing else. So simply go to the same counter.
Posted by
Eastern Iowa, USA
7919 posts
I would go together, there is no hard and fast rule, anyone traveling together can approach at once, no family relationship required.
Posted by
Berlin
2885 posts
Just checked by call with German federal police which is doing passport controls at the airport.
You line up together in the same "non-Schengen" line. When officer calls you as next in line you step towards her / him alone first. At the counter you can ask to be checked together as a married couple but this can also be denied.
In your case I would just do it every person on its own. Of course you answer honestly when asked if you travel alone.
For more answers you can call Bundespolizei at Frankfurt airport directly: +49 69 - 690 78578. Munich airport has its own BP department but the answers will be the same.
Info: once you are in Schengen zone there will be no passport control at border crossing.