Customs/Layover Question for AMS

Your clear immigrations in AMS and customs in Munich. Depending on time of day the security backup can be severe. There is a line with an attendant for short connect times. You need at least an hour from the time your exit the plane. Custom is mostly a walk through in Munich. I know we are supposed to be mind readers here but you just might let us know what you layover time is that we judge for you. A small inconvenience, I am sure.

Oh I have a 3 hour layover so that should be enough time! Thanks so much!

I just did this recently so I can give you guidance. When you arrive in AMS you will walk from the international side of the airport to the Schengen gates. As you enter the Schengen gate concourses you will go through a passport check and then a standard airport security checkpoint. It took maybe 5-7 minutes for me to clear it in April. Frankly it took a heck of a lot longer to walk from one end of the giant airport that is AMS to the Schengen area than it did to go through customs. Oh and to make it even easier, there are no forms you have to fill out. Just show your US passport to the officer and they'll stamp it and may ask you a few questions, that's it.

That's excellent! Did you have to reclaim your luggage? Or did it meet you at your final destination? Thanks for all the help!

Nope, your bags will be tagged to Munich. You won't need to touch them in Amsterdam.

As everyone else said, you'll clear immigrations at Schiphol (AMS) and then customs in Munich - and yes, your luggage will be checked all the way through to Munich. Don't be nervous though. Schiphol may be huge, but it's pretty easy to navigate, clean, and user-friendly. And the immigrations officers are very friendly and welcoming. I fly in and out of Schiphol often (and I'm a regular flier otherwise) and it's probably my favorite airport. Good luck! :)

Also, if you didn't get a seat assignment for your AMS-MUC flight when you checked in the US, you need to stop at a transfer desk to get a boarding pass for your next flight. Ask the gate attendant when you get off in AMS to make sure you get to the right one (don't roam around like I did- it's easier and time saving to ask!). It may be that your transfer desk is after the security checkpoint.

I don't have a seat assignment yet for my flight to MUC so thanks for the advice!

And you will not get a seat assignment before check-in. In Europe, for intra-Europe flights, seat assignment is done at check in only (except if you have status of are flying business class or - for a few airlines - want to pay for it). But you may get a seat assignment for your intra Europe flight when you check in for your flight in the US, since you normally check in for both flights here.