Flying to Germany through Italy
 

Please help, in particular if you're familiar with the immigration procedures at both Fiumicino (Rome) and Frankfurt airports.

My son will be travelling soon from Brazil to Frankfurt (Germany) through Rome (Italy). First leg is GRU-FCO, followed by a second FCO-FRA, flying Alitalia on both.

Can anyone please clarify:

1. Where will he pass through immigration? Rome (first stop) or Frankfurt (final destination)?

2. If immigration takes place in Rome, will he have to collect his luggage at Fiumicino and recheck it for the continuation flight to Frankfurt?

Many thanks in advance!

Since both Italy and Germany are part of the Schengen zone. He will go through immigration (Passport check) in Rome and then continue on to Germany as a domestic flight. If it is one ticket, then he will go through customs in Germany. Not a big deal -- walk through the Green Door - Nothing to Declare. He will not see his checked luggage until Germany. So --

1. Rome 2. No.

If he has two separate tickets - even with the same airline then it would be both immigration and customs in Rome since his original ticket and flight terminates in Rome but that is not how I am understanding your question.

Many thanks for such objective and prompt answer.

Question (1) is answered and confirms my understanding that immigration will take place in Rome as the first point of entrance in the Schengen area.

Regarding question (2), let me provide additional data for further discussion. He currently has one ticket (one reservation code covering the two flights - GRU-FCO and FCO-FRA). Upon check-in at GRU I am expecting Alitalia to issue two boarding passes (one for each flight) and check his luggage all the way through FRA. This is what I expect. If this is the case, my understanding is that he would not have to collect his luggage and clear customs in Rome, as his luggage would be handed over internally at FCO and accommodated in the second flight to FRA.

So, from your comments on "one ticket versus two tickets", I presume that my understanding above is correct, as a single ticket has been purchased for him.

Again, thank you much for your help, much appreciated!