The Authorities have initiated a broad-ranged border surveillance initiative.
The goal is to reduce unwanted immigration and crime: Starting from Monday, travelers, commuters, and cargo transporters should expect checks at all German land borders. These checks will be random, meaning not every traveler will be screened, but everyone should be prepared for them.
What picture should one paint regarding the checks?
The Federal Ministry of the Interior explains that the checks will be adjustable in terms of space and time. Special traffic management might be necessary on highly traveled high-speed roads. However, the Federal Police will manage the specific execution.
"A representative stated that the Federal Police, in collaboration with their domestic and international partner authorities, will strive to minimize the impact of these checks on commuters' daily lives, trade, and travel. Travelers and commuters are advised to carry an identity document, such as a passport or national ID card - this is also suggested for cross-border travel in the absence of border checks at the European internal borders."
What checks are presently in place?
Since October 2023, checks have been ongoing at the borders with Poland, the Czech Republic, and Switzerland. These checks have been extended multiple times and are currently in effect until December 15. Checks at the border with Austria, which were instituted in September 2015 due to unlawful migration, are already in effect. The recently ordered checks will affect the borders with France, Denmark, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg. However, the borders with France have been under checks since July 20, which the federal government justified, among other reasons, due to the Olympics.
How long will the new checks last?
Initially, for six months. Germany has informed the European Commission of this period, extending until March 15, 2025. The Ministry of the Interior aims to prolong the existing checks, which are currently scheduled to end mid-December.
Late August, Chancellor Olaf Scholz stated in ZDF that he wanted to maintain the checks "as long as possible" - but only in reference to the existing checks with neighboring countries. These have proven "particularly effective." Therefore, he wanted "to extend the checkpoints for as long as possible." "We must do this within the framework of European law. But I can assure you, we will manage that."
What reasons does the federal government provide for the checks?
The federal government attributes security concerns from unlawful migration and human trafficking at the EU's external borders, as mentioned in the EU Commission's report, to the increased incidence of unlawful border crossings in Germany. This has exacerbated the already strained situation regarding the accommodation of refugees - particularly since Germany has welcomed around 1.2 million Ukrainian war refugees, according to the Ministry of the Interior.
The Ministry recently cited limiting unlawful migration and the internal security protection from current threats by Islamic terrorism and cross-border crime as reasons for the newly ordered checks.
Current Checks Are Having an Impact, According to the Ministry.
"As of now, there's a 20% decrease in asylum applications compared to last year, a 20% increase in deportations, and over 30,000 rejections at German borders due to internal border checks since October 2023," said a spokesperson. "Over 1,300 smugglers were apprehended at the borders with Poland, Czech Republic, Austria, and Switzerland between October 2023 and the end of July 2024." However, it's unclear how many people who were rejected at the border later managed to enter Germany.
What Are the Impacts of the Current Checks?
The results are mixed. There's no talk of a collapse in border traffic, but there are some disruptions here and there. In Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, there have been no significant delays at the crossings to and from Poland due to border checks. "We haven't noticed any congestion and don't expect any disturbances in the future," said Christian Joerß, president of the Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Traffic Industry Association. The tourism association also hasn't complained.
In Bavaria, where border checks with Austria and the Czech Republic have been in place for some time, there are often traffic jams and long wait times at the crossings. Both tourists and people who commute across the border for work or personal reasons are affected.
In Baden-Württemberg, there are checks at the border with Switzerland and, since summer, also with France. Sometimes this affects traffic, such as at the Kehler Europabrücke bridge over the Rhine to Strasbourg. However, there are no reports of kilometer-long traffic jams at the borders with Switzerland and France.
At the three Schleswig-Holstein border crossings to Denmark, there are sometimes traffic jams on the Danish side, which is due to checks there. This is especially the case when there's a lot of holiday traffic. The border posts on the Danish side are not permanently staffed.
What Does the Economy Say?
There's a certain amount of concern. Border checks could result in bothersome delays in goods and passenger traffic, said Volker Treier, chief economist of the German Industry and Commerce Chamber (DIHK). The experiences from the Corona crisis show how restrictions can burden the economy. "When aiming to curb unlawful migration, politics should ensure that necessary supplies and cross-border trade can function as smoothly as possible," Treier demanded. "Similarly, the mobility of cross-border commuters and service providers should not be restricted."
Especially the local retail sector and border-adjacent hospitality are heavily dependent on free goods and passenger traffic. "The checks increase storage costs for many businesses, making just-in-time deliveries more difficult. All this is an additional burden for the economy in economically challenging times."
Holger Loesch, Bundesverband der Deutschen Industrie's deputy CEO, likewise cautioned: "Trade and supply chains shouldn't needlessly encounter obstructions due to these controls." The controls ought to be adaptable, streamlined, and bureaucracy-free, so their effect on trade and commuters is significantly reduced. "Smooth cross-border movement of goods and passengers is pivotal for Germany's globally interconnected industry."
The checks at the German land borders, including those with Poland, are a result of the government's efforts to reduce unwanted immigration and crime. Due to these checks, travelers and commuters are advised to carry an identity document when crossing borders within Europe.
