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Lost and Found at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport
Losing a personal item during a trip is stressful, but if it happens at Schiphol, you're in luck. Unlike other areas of the airport, the Lost and Found service is consistently praised for its incredible efficiency and friendliness. Here’s how the system works and the fastest strategy to recover your belongings.
Frequently Asked Questions about Lost and Found
- I lost something in the terminal, what do I do? → If you're still at the airport, go directly to one of the physical desks. It's the fastest way. If not, fill out the online form.
- What if I lost it on the plane? → You must contact your airline directly. Airport staff do not handle items left on board.
- I'm no longer at Schiphol, can I still file a claim? → Yes. Once your item is located, you can authorize someone to pick it up or request to have it shipped to your home address by courier (at your expense).
- What if I lost my passport? → Identity documents are handed over to the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee (military police). You must contact them directly.

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Critical Points: Strategies for a Successful Recovery
1. A Surprisingly Efficient Service: Act Fast
User Experience: This is Schiphol's strong suit. Travelers report recovering phones, expensive headphones, and even documents in a matter of minutes, sometimes even during layovers of less than an hour. The staff is described as "professional, patient, and incredibly helpful."
Strategy: Don't wait. As soon as you realize something is missing, take action. If you're in the terminal, go to a physical desk. The system's speed depends on how quickly the item is reported, and in-person assistance is often faster than the online form for urgent cases.
2. The Key Distinction: Airport or Airline?
User Experience: The biggest confusion arises from not knowing who to contact. An item left in the seat pocket of an airplane will not go to the airport's lost and found desk, but to the airline's, whose process can be much slower and more bureaucratic.
Strategy: Before doing anything, identify where you lost the item. Was it at the gate, at security, in a restroom? Contact the airport. Was it inside the plane? Contact your airline immediately.
If You Are Still at the Airport
The most direct way is to go to one of the lost and found desks. The staff can check in real-time if your item has been found. You will need a detailed description and, preferably, an ID to retrieve it.
Locations:
- Before security (public area): At Kelderplein (basement, between Arrivals 1 and 2). Hours: 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM.
- After security (airside): In Lounge 1 (towards Pier B) and on Holland Boulevard (between Piers E and F). Hours: 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM.
If You Have Already Left Schiphol
Online Inquiry and Claim
Use the lost item form, providing as much detail as possible (brand, color, size, where and when you lost it). The system will notify you if an item matching your description is found.
Collection or Shipping
Once your belonging is located, you will receive an email with instructions. You can authorize someone else to pick it up on your behalf or request shipping to your home address via a courier service, covering the shipping costs yourself.
Official documents: If you lost your passport or ID card, do not contact the airport. Call the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee directly at +31 88 958 18 14.
If You Have Found an Item
You can contribute to the system's efficiency by handing in any item you find at one of the desks. If they are closed, you can use the special deposit box located at Kelderplein.
For general inquiries, you can call +31 20 333 0333.
See also: Luggage Storage – Luggage Wrapping