Customs and immigration on a private jet to Germany
Germany is in the Schengen area. Flights to and from other Schengen states have no border check; flights from outside need a general declaration, a Federal Police check of everyone on board and an airport that handles customs.
- Area
- Schengen and EU
- Non-Schengen flights
- General declaration
- Short stays
- 90 days in any 180
- Cash
- Declare from €10,000
How arrival and departure work
Only on flights to or from outside the Schengen area. Then the pilot sends a general declaration with the flight plan and passenger details beforehand, and the Federal Police check everyone on board, crew included. Flights from other Schengen countries are internal flights with no border check.
Two borders matter: the Schengen border for people and the EU customs border for goods. A flight from London crosses both, so it needs border control and customs on arrival.
Arriving from outside the EU, the aircraft must use an airport where customs is available. At Hannover's general aviation terminal, for example, the Federal Police check passengers on the apron and customs is available around the clock.
We file the paperwork with the operator and ground handler. For route ideas see our private jet charter page, and for the costs our guide to charter taxes and fees.
Sources:Schengen Borders Code, Regulation (EU) 2016/399 (consolidated): Articles 2, 6, 8, 22, 23 and 25Hannover Airport: leaving and entering the country at the General Aviation Terminal (rules since 1 February 2024)Zollverwaltungsgesetz (ZollVG) § 2: goods enter or leave the EU customs territory by air only through customs airports
Flights within the Schengen area
Under the Schengen Borders Code, an internal flight is one that flies only between Schengen states without landing in a third country, and internal borders can be crossed at any point without a border check on persons.
That does not remove every check. Police may still carry out checks inside the country, airports run security checks, and national laws can require you to carry identity papers, so bring a passport or ID card. A Schengen state can also reintroduce border control at its internal borders for a limited time, as a last resort.
Sources:Schengen Borders Code, Regulation (EU) 2016/399 (consolidated): Articles 2, 6, 8, 22, 23 and 25
Tell us the dates and passengers. A specialist replies with aircraft options and an all-in price, around the clock.
Flights from or to outside Schengen
- 01General declaration
The Schengen Borders Code requires a general declaration before private flights to or from third countries, with the flight plan and passengers' identity details. The pilot in command sends it to the Federal Police and customs.
- 02Border check on arrival
Everyone on board, crew included, passes immigration control. At Hannover the check starts on the apron right after the aircraft is on blocks.
- 03Entry conditions
Non-EU travellers on short stays need a passport valid for at least three months after the planned departure, a visa where required, and may stay up to 90 days in any 180.
- 04Departure
At Hannover the general declaration goes to the Federal Police and customs at least 60 minutes before departure, and travellers are ready for the check 30 minutes before.
Sources:Schengen Borders Code, Regulation (EU) 2016/399 (consolidated): Articles 2, 6, 8, 22, 23 and 25Hannover Airport: leaving and entering the country at the General Aviation Terminal (rules since 1 February 2024)
Customs airports and allowances
- Under § 2 of the Customs Administration Act, goods may enter or leave the EU customs territory by air only through customs airports (Zollflugplätze), which are published.
- Customs guidance from 2012 says a flight from a third country to an airfield that is not a customs airport needs an individual exemption, applied for in writing to the local main customs office.
- Travellers may bring goods for non-commercial use up to €430 free of import duties on top of the excise allowances for tobacco and alcohol.
- Cash of €10,000 or more must be declared in writing. Medicines, weapons and goods under embargo rules are restricted.
Sources:Zollverwaltungsgesetz (ZollVG) § 2: goods enter or leave the EU customs territory by air only through customs airportsGerman customs guidance, May 2012: exemption from the customs airport requirement (copy hosted by Biberach airfield)Hannover Airport: leaving and entering the country at the General Aviation Terminal (rules since 1 February 2024)
Questions, answered
Still deciding? A charter specialist will talk you through aircraft, airports and price, with no obligation.
Ask a specialistIs there passport control on a private jet from Paris to Munich?+
No border check applies on internal Schengen flights. Carry a passport or ID card anyway: police and security checks still happen inside the country.
What is a general declaration?+
The form the pilot sends before a private flight to or from a third country, with the flight plan and the identity details of everyone on board. It goes to the Federal Police and customs.
Can I fly from London straight to a small German airfield?+
Only if that airfield can handle customs and border control. Goods may cross the EU customs border by air only at customs airports, and other airfields need an individual exemption from customs.
How much cash can I bring into Germany?+
Amounts of €10,000 or more must be declared in writing to customs.
Fares, dates and rules on this page were checked on 19 October 2026. Official fares and schedules change every season; the operator or authority named in each source has the final word.
- 1.Schengen Borders Code, Regulation (EU) 2016/399 (consolidated): Articles 2, 6, 8, 22, 23 and 25
- 2.Hannover Airport: leaving and entering the country at the General Aviation Terminal (rules since 1 February 2024)
- 3.Zollverwaltungsgesetz (ZollVG) § 2: goods enter or leave the EU customs territory by air only through customs airports
- 4.German customs guidance, May 2012: exemption from the customs airport requirement (copy hosted by Biberach airfield)
Paperwork filed before take-off.
A specialist replies around the clock with aircraft options, the operator's name and an all-in price.