Brandenburg Berlin Airport Arrivals

The BER Terminals

Berlin Brandenburg Airport has two terminal buildings, since terminal 5 (the former terminal of Schönefeld Airport) is now permanently closed. Terminal 1 is the main terminal of Berlin Airport, serving the majority of flights arriving at Berlin. It is a vast building, spreading over 4 levels above the ground and two underground levels. The U-shaped terminal houses Arrivals on its Ground level, while some arrival gates are also located on E0Z. Terminal 2 is a smaller unit, consisting of just two levels. It primarily handles flights operated by low-cost airlines, mainly Ryanair. Arrivals can be found on the Ground level. The two terminal buildings at BER  Airport are close to each other. Walking between them takes about 5–10 minutes.

Airlines Present at Each Terminal

Arrival Procedures at BER Airport

The arrival procedures are fairly straightforward and uncomplicated for EU nationals arriving at Berlin Airport from a domestic city or a destination within the Schengen zone. As soon as they get off the plane, they follow the signs to the baggage claim area of their terminal. Both terminals house their baggage reclaim zone on the Ground level. If they have luggage to retrieve, they wait to collect it. Otherwise, they can directly proceed to the Arrivals hall of the arriving terminal to find the exit doors. The same procedures also apply to EEA citizens (Liechtenstein, Iceland, and Norway), as well as to nationals of Switzerland.

Have you exited the terminal and are looking for transport options to Berlin? Taxi ranks can be found outside the Arrivals and Departures of terminal 1. Therefore, if you are landing at terminal 2 and want to catch a taxi, you’ll need to reach terminal 1 first. The bus stop is also located outside T1’s Arrivals. The Airport Express Bus X7 and the Bus Line X7 head to U-Rudow Station, while additional bus lines serve other parts of Berlin. Night bus routes are available as well. Alternatively, the airport railway station is located on Level U2 of terminal 1. The Airport Express Train FEX, along with regional lines (RE20 and RB22) and the S-Bahn S9, link the airport to Berlin, while other lines travel to less central parts of the city, providing extra airport connections. Private transfer companies and ride-hailing services also operate at Berlin Airport. Their pick-up locations vary depending on the company.

On the other hand, if you’re flying from a destination outside the Schengen zone, you must go through border control. Border control officers check the import of goods into Germany. Any required additional documents, such as a visa, vaccination certificates, etc., must be presented during this process. Are you an EU or EEA national or a Swiss citizen? You can also use the complimentary EasyPass service and speed up the passport control procedure by using the automated gates. However, certain conditions apply. First, you must hold a biometric passport (new German ID cards are also accepted) and be older than 12. If that’s the case, you must scan your identification document and look at the gate’s camera to complete the procedure. The service is also available for citizens of the USA, UK, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China, Republic of Korea, and Taiwan, after registration. As soon as you go through immigration (border control), you can reach the baggage claim area to collect your baggage and pass through customs. You must declare all goods that need to be declared or exceed the permitted limits, as well as cash over 10.000€/11.570$. There is usually one line for passengers who have something to declare and another for those who don’t. After customs clearance, you exit the post-security area of your terminal and can make your way to the pick-up point of the transportation mode of your choice.

Border control is a time-consuming procedure in Berlin Airport for non-EU nationals traveling from non-Schengen destinations, especially if they’re landing at terminal 1 or simultaneously with several other flights. The passport control procedure has changed in the EU as of October 12, 2025, since the new EES (Entry/Exit System) replaced the traditional passport stamping. The new system, applied at Berlin Brandenburg Airport since December 2, 2025, collects passengers’ biometric data in a central database, aiming to control passenger traffic within the EU more efficiently and to monitor entries, exits, and stays within the allowed maximum time frame. Under this system, non-EU passengers planning a short stay in the EU (90 days within a 180-day period) must provide their biometric data (fingerprint scans and facial scanning), along with their passport information, to complete border control. While border control desks handled the procedure at first, from January 2026, self-service machines will be put into operation. Although the EES process isn’t fast, the collected data is stored for 3 months. Therefore, passengers don’t need to provide it again for journeys within that period.

Our Tip: Even if you’ve already registered for the EasyPass service, you may need to re-register, as the new EES applies. Having transformed passport control for non-EU citizens, it has also changed the requirements for EasyPass.

The BER Baggage Reclaim Areas

Both terminals have baggage reclaim areas, where passengers can conveniently retrieve their luggage as soon as they disembark from their aircraft. Clear signage guides travelers from the moment they alight until they reach the baggage carousels. The baggage claim area in T1 can be found on the Ground level, as does T2’s baggage claim zone. Numerous information screens display which belt handles each flight, while passengers can also stay informed via the airport’s website or app. Should you carry heavy or lots of luggage, you’ll find baggage trolleys available in the baggage reclaim areas. You can use them to carry your luggage to your pick-up point, railway station, or even the car park. It’s important to remember that you’ll need to use a coin to unlock your baggage carts in the size of 1€ (or 0.25$, 1£, or 1SFr). If you don’t have a coin of that size with you, you can ask for a token at the airport’s information desks. Naturally, you’ll get back the coin as long as you drop off the luggage cart at one of the designated areas.

Our Tip: If you’re traveling with large and bulky luggage, you’ll need to collect it from the designated baggage belt. It is located centrally in T1’s baggage claim zone and behind baggage carousel C3 in T2.

Stay Updated on the BER Flight Timetable

Before starting your journey to Berlin Brandenburg Airport to pick up passengers, make sure the flight is arriving on time. Why wait at the airport during a delay and pay unnecessary parking fees? Our arrival status table can keep you updated on all changes to the flight schedule at BER Airport, including delays and cancellations. Alternatively, the official airport website offers constant updates on Arrivals. Flight information screens scattered throughout the airport also keep travelers and their companions informed. Finally, if you need more information or have questions, you can contact the airport’s call center at +49 30 6091 6091 0.

FAQs

Where do international flights land in Berlin?

Both terminals at Berlin Airport handle international flights. That being said, the vast majority of flights arrive at terminal 1. Terminal 2 primarily serves Ryanair, Vueling Airlines, and Wizz Air, along with the flights they operate.

Which terminal is Arrivals at Berlin Airport?

Both terminals handle Arrivals at Berlin International Airport. In fact, Arrivals are located on the Ground level of both buildings, while terminal 1 also has some arrival gates on Level E0Z.

How long does it take to get through customs at Berlin Airport?

Overall, customs clearance isn’t usually time-consuming at Berlin Airport. There are typically two channels: one for passengers who have items to declare and one for travelers with nothing to declare. Even if you have goods to declare, you can generally expect to complete customs in about 10–15 minutes, provided Arrivals aren’t congested during peak seasons.