The Schengen Border Code allows member states temporarily reintroduce border control at the internal borders in the event of a serious threat to public policy or internal security.

In exceptional circumstances, where the overall functioning of the Schengen Area is put at risk as a result of persistent serious deficiencies relating to external border control, and insofar as those circumstances constitute a serious threat to public policy or internal security, the Council may, based on a proposal from the Commission, recommend that one or more Member States decide to reintroduce border control at all or at specific parts of their internal borders.

As the results, in the face of:

– serious threats to public order and internal security arising from terrorist activity linked to unrest in the Middle East,
– the growing presence of criminal networks facilitating illegal migration and smuggling,
– migration flows at risk of infiltration by radicalized individuals,
– general threats to the energy sector,
– the risk of sabotage and the need for enhanced infrastructure protection,

Nine countries have already decided to implement border controls.

Overview of Current Border Controls

Germany
16.06.2024 – 15.12.2024
Border with Poland, Switzerland, and the Czech Republic.

Germany
16.09.2024 – 15.03.2025
Border with France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, and Denmark.

Germany
12.11.2024 – 15.03.2025
Border with Austria.

Austria
12.11.2024 – 11.05.2025
Border with Slovenia and Hungary.

Austria
16.10.2024 – 15.04.2025
Land and sea borders with Slovakia, and all internal borders with the Czech Republic.

Netherlands
09.12.2024 – 08.06.2025
Land and air borders with Belgium and Germany.

Denmark
12.11.2024 – 11.05.2025
All internal borders (land, air, and sea) and land/sea borders with Germany.

Norway
12.11.2024 – 11.05.2025
Ports with ferry connections to the Schengen area; all internal borders (land, air, and sea).

Sweden
12.11.2024 – 11.05.2025
All internal borders (land, air, and sea).

Slovenia
22.06.2024 – 21.12.2024
Internal borders with Croatia and Hungary.

France
01.11.2024 – 30.04.2025
Borders with Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, and Spain (land, air, and sea).

Italy
19.06.2024 – 18.12.2024
Land borders with Slovenia.


Border controls often result in waiting times and traffic jams, depending on traffic volume. Unfortunately, this leads to significant delays in intra-European traffic, disruptions in supply chains, and ultimately losses for businesses and the economy.

However, this is the price that countries choose to pay to protect the security of their citizens.