Amsterdam Centraal is set to introduce electronic gates at its border control, a change aimed at easing the long queues that Eurostar passengers have faced when departing from the station. The e-gates will automate part of the passport check, allowing eligible travellers to pass through more quickly. The move is part of broader efforts to modernise border processing at one of the Netherlands' busiest international rail hubs.
For now, details on exactly when the gates will be operational and which travellers can use them have not been fully confirmed, but the plan signals a push toward faster, more efficient checks. The station handles a growing number of international rail passengers, and manual border checks have struggled to keep pace at peak times.
What this means if you are learning Dutch or new in the Netherlands
If you are planning a trip out of Amsterdam by train, this could mean shorter waits at border control once the gates are in use. It is still worth arriving early, especially while the system is being rolled out. For newcomers, the change is a reminder that Dutch border processes are increasingly digital, so keep your travel documents up to date and check official guidance before you travel. The e-gates are likely to apply only to certain passport holders, so do not assume you can use them without checking the rules.