Security control

The security control separates the public area from the airport security area, to which only passengers with a boarding pass have access.

• Find out in advance how you can prepare yourself best for the security control.
• Basically, you can use any security control in T1 or T2.
• You will find information on waiting times on the website, in the appand on the monitors.

On this page you can find out more about the following topics:

• Preparing for the security control
• BER Runway (book a time slot)
• BER Biometrics (contactless through security control)
• On site

You can help to make things quicker and more relaxed at the security control. Good preparation is the be-all and end-all.

1. Please enquire with your airline about the rules for hand baggage.
2. The following still applies at all security controls at BER: Only liquid containers that do not exceed a volume of 100ml are permitted. Liquid containers over 100ml must be disposed of before the control.
3. Certain items (e.g. weapons, sharp objects such as razor blades, scissors, tools or blunt objects such as baseball bats) have no place in hand baggage. 
4. Prams and buggies that exceed the dimensions 25 cm when folded may not be taken through the security control point, but must be handed in at the large baggage check-in after check-in. 

• Book a time slot for access to security control at BER free of charge. 
• BER Runway allows you to go directly to security control 2 in Terminal 1 using an extra entrance where your booking and boarding card are checked.
• Bookings are possible from seven days before your flight. Please note the opening hours of BER Runway. You will need your flight number and must enter your name and email address.
• We recommend that you book a time slot at least two hours before departure. The last time slots that can be booked are offered one hour before departure for Schengen flights and flights from T1 and 1.5 hours before departure for non-Schengen flights and flights from T2.
• Please make sure that you arrive at the airport early enough to allow sufficient time to check-in yourself and your baggage before making your way to BER Runway.
• Time slots are booked for 15 minutes, access is possible from 5 minutes before the start of the time slot until 5 minutes following the end of the time slot.
• You can continue to use all general entrances to security control even if you have a booking for BER Runway or outside the booked time slot.

Do you have any further questions? Then please refer to our FAQs

• The BER Biometrics digital service facilitates contactless use of selected process locations at Berlin Brandenburg Airport without showing a boarding pass. 
• BER Biometrics includes an extended slot for BER Runway .

Do you have any questions or would you like to use the service on your next trip? Further information

• You can use any security control, whether in Terminal 1 or 2. 
• All departure gates are accessible from every security control.
• You will find information on waiting times on the website, in the appand on the monitors.

• We are gradually equipping BER Airport with new screening technology for hand baggage.
• Currently, security areas 1 and 5 in Terminal 1 and the security area in Terminal 2 are equipped with new security technology, known as CT scanner.  
• The other control areas 2 and 4 in Terminal 1 still have conventional control technology.
• Depending on the control technology, the requirements for your preparation for the control of your hand baggage may differ.
• The following applies to both control procedures:
  • Please go directly to the security control after check-in and baggage drop-off and have your boarding pass to hand.
  • You are welcome to use our Preparation Zones in Terminal 1 for final preparations. 
  • To access the queuing area, first scan your boarding pass at the readers. Please have your boarding pass to hand (on your smartphone or tablet) or in printed form.
  • Outer garments such as coats, scarves, hats, etc. can be taken off shortly before your own inspection and kept ready to hand.

Notice: At some security control areas, new CT scanners are already in use, allowing liquids of up to 2 liters that do not need to be carried in a resealable bag.

However, since it is not possible to predict which security checkpoint you will pass through, we still recommend following the general rule (maximum 100 ml per container in a 1-liter bag) to ensure a smooth screening process.

Click on the buttons to obtain information on the two control methods.

When you subsequently go through the security control, you must not hold anything in your hands.

• Enter the security scanner at the staff’s request, place your feet on the markings and bend arms to the side of the body. 
• If an alarm is triggered, a manual follow-up check is carried out by the security staff. 

• If necessary, this can also be done in a separate cabin. 
• If you wear a pacemaker operated by a shunt or a valve, please inform the relevant screening staff beforehand.
• The instructions of the staff must be followed during the entire process. 
• Jokes about bombs, drugs, weapons or the like are to be refrained from, as the security officers take every threat seriously and investigate it. In case of doubt, access to the security area and thus the flight can be denied. 
• After a personal screening has been carried out, the checked items can be taken back. If necessary, a follow-up check of the items carried is necessary in the presence of the passenger. 

• For departures to non-Schengen destinations, allow extra waiting time for passport control.
• Travellers to Israel and the USA are advised to go to the gate early. As part of the enhanced security measures, passengers wishing to fly to these countries must go through a second security screening, for which more time must be allowed. This second security control opens two hours and closes 30 minutes before departure time.