Border controls put a strain on police: Up to 30 percent resign.
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Germany is extending its border controls for another six months, keeping checks at its land borders until at least mid-March 2027. Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt says the measure is needed to curb illegal migration, despite growing criticism.
The controls have been in place at Germany’s borders with all nine neighboring countries since September 2024. They were introduced under former Interior Minister Nancy Faeser and have since been extended several times. Dobrindt has now formally notified the EU Commission of another six-month extension.
The decision is expected to create additional problems for holidaymakers and cross-border travelers. Checks can cause delays and traffic congestion, particularly during busy travel periods, making journeys between Germany and neighboring countries less predictable.
Businesses are also warning about the consequences. The Industrie- und Handelskammer (Chamber of Industry and Commerce) has criticized the continuing controls because unpredictable travel times and traffic jams can create problems for logistics companies. The economic burden is particularly significant for businesses that depend on frequent cross-border transport.
The Bundespolizei (Federal Police) is facing its own difficulties. Officers must continue carrying out the checks despite already demanding workloads. According to the FOCUS report, some police personnel are reportedly considering leaving because of the repetitive nature and strain of the assignments.
Dobrindt is defending the policy on security grounds. His ministry argues that the migration situation remains volatile and that continued checks are necessary to prevent illegal entry and combat smuggling networks. The government has also pointed to developments at Europe’s external borders as evidence that the situation remains uncertain.
Critics, however, argue that the prolonged controls are increasingly difficult to justify as a temporary measure. The renewed extension also comes as the Gemeinsames Europäisches Asylsystem (Common European Asylum System) has begun operating under stricter EU rules, with the long-term goal of reducing the need for internal border controls.
For travelers, companies and the police, the latest decision means that Germany’s border checks will remain part of everyday life for many more months. Unless the policy changes, delays and additional costs are likely to continue through the busy travel periods ahead.