Yes, Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) has a designated outdoor smoking area before security: Jan Dellaertplein, the square outside Schiphol Plaza, between Doors D and E. Schiphol closed its indoor smoking cabins on 1 April 2020 to comply with Dutch tobacco law, so there is no smoking past the security checkpoint anywhere in the airport.
Before Security (Outdoor Only)
The one legal place to smoke at Schiphol is outdoors and landside, with ashtrays provided; there is no roofed lounge or heated shelter.
Jan Dellaertplein — between Doors D and E
- The large square directly in front of Schiphol Plaza at the main terminal entrance, reached from Arrivals level 1 or by stepping outside from the plaza; the designated zone sits between Doors D and E.
- It is a short walk from the train station, bus stops and taxi rank, so it works for departing passengers, arriving passengers and anyone dropping off.
- Schiphol has said it is considering moving the smoking zone, so follow the on-site signage if the marked area has shifted.
Arrivals
- On arrival, follow the exit signs down to ground level and use the marked zone between Doors D and E on Jan Dellaertplein.
After Security (Airside)
There is no smoking area anywhere past the checkpoint. All three departure halls, the gate piers (B through H), the lounges, and Holland Boulevard between the Schengen and non-Schengen zones are completely smoke-free. Schiphol’s terminal is fully connected airside, so no gate or lounge sits closer to a smoking area than any other — the only option is to leave the secure zone entirely.
Smoking on a Layover or Transfer
Schiphol is one of Europe’s largest transfer hubs, and this is where most smokers get caught out: you cannot smoke without leaving airside. To reach the outdoor areas you exit past security to Schiphol Plaza, smoke on Jan Dellaertplein, then rejoin the security queue for your onward flight.
- Schengen-to-Schengen connections: you can walk out to the plaza without passport control; you still re-clear the central security screening on the way back in.
- Non-Schengen connections: exiting to the landside plaza means clearing Dutch passport control (a border into the Schengen Area), so you need a valid passport and, for many nationalities, a Schengen visa. Without the right documents you stay airside and cannot smoke.
Either way, budget well over an hour and factor in security waits before deciding a smoke break is worth it on a tight connection.
Vaping at Schiphol
E-cigarettes and heated-tobacco devices are treated exactly like cigarettes: banned throughout the terminal, allowed only in the outdoor areas before security. Vape on Jan Dellaertplein alongside the smokers, not in the halls, lounges or restrooms.
For Netherlands airport smoking rules, vaping rules, and other general info, see our Netherlands smoking guide.