The entry of 530 people was denied as the year-long border inspections in the Netherlands came to an end.
Over the course of a full year of inspections, Dutch authorities rejected the entry of 530 people as part of tightening controls to combat irregular migration and cross-border crime.
During the period from December 9, 2024, to December 8, 2025, the Koninklijke Marechaussee (Royal Netherlands Military Police) inspected 143,960 people and 35,380 vehicles. During the same period, 250 people were detained at the border, according to a message sent to the Tweede Kamer (House of Representatives of the Netherlands).
The authorities explained that the individuals who were denied entry did not have valid travel documents or were unable to clarify the reason and duration of their stay. Acting Minister of Asylum and Migration David Van Wiele stated that some of these individuals may pose a risk to public order or national security.
Additional inspections at airports began in July 2025, where 134,370 travelers and 1,500 aircraft were screened. These measures resulted in the denial of entry to 50 individuals.
Border checks were temporarily reinstated at the internal borders with Belgium and Germany, based on Schengen rules (Schengen Area, the free movement area in the European Union), which allow for checks in the presence of a serious threat to public order or internal security. In November, David van Wiele announced the extension of these measures for an additional six months.
During this period, OECD Migration Reports 2025 showed that initial asylum applications in the Netherlands decreased by about 17% in 2024 to around 32,000 applications. Most applicants came from Syria, Iraq, and Turkey, while the government approved new asylum reforms in December 2024 aimed at alleviating pressure on the system, including restrictions on family reunification and expediting the processing of applications from countries considered safe.
Despite the tightening of surveillance, official data and monitoring reports, including AIDA/Asylum Information Database, confirm that there have been no forced pushbacks at the Dutch borders. Those wishing to apply for asylum can still submit their applications, provided they meet the conditions set by European Union and Dutch law.