Ryanair checks ID on all flights - even on domestic/internal flights.

All rules on Ryanair are simple and well-advertised and have no exceptions. Hence, all flights are handled in the same manner (which also makes it easier to train staff. There are fewer "what if?" scenarios to cover). In this instance, it is easier to train a gate agent to check for a document check stamp on the boarding pass than to train all agents on all the subtleties of immigration law, or to provide them with access to the TIMATIC database at every boarding gate. Of course, you and I know that a US passport holder is automatically entitled to a 90-day Schengen visa as long as they have not spent more than 3 months in the Schengen zone in the previous 6 months and as long as their passport is valid for a period of at least 3 months past their planned departure date. But would you know what rules apply to each of the 100-plus non-EEA passports that may be proferred at the boarding gate?

Yes, I accept that there won't be an issue on a flight from Berlin to Cologne, or from Eindhoven to Alicante, but are there any Ryanair airports where they only serve domestic destinations, or only intra-Schengen destinations? Probably only a handful, if any (Some of the Greek islands only have year-round service to Athens, for example - but perhaps they abandon document checks when only domestic flights are operated). So - it makes more sense for them to stick to one simple rule. Non-EEA passport means document check procedure must have been completed.


Ryanair checks the immigration status of all passengers on all flights. You may say this is overkill, but it works as a simpler solution for them to implement.

If, as a non-EEA passenger you find this onerous, you can fly with KLM instead!