Border controls Poland-Germany: how the border is back and what does it mean for you?
- Damian Brzeski
- May 11
- 4 min read
You're going to Berlin for the weekend with your family. Until recently, the border was just a formality. And now? Slow down, show your ID, maybe check your baggage. What happened to open Europe?
Since October 2023, Germany has been systematically extending border controls on the border with Poland. Officially: to combat illegal migration, human smuggling and improve security.
The result? According to the German side, thousands of arrests and fewer illegal entries, but also traffic jams, stress and dissatisfaction of ordinary people.
Why have border controls returned?
This is a question that many of us are asking ourselves. Until recently, the border was invisible, and today it is again a flashpoint. What has changed and what are the basic reasons for this shift?
Migration crisis and increase in smuggling
Officially, it all started with the migration crisis in the east of the EU, especially on the border with Belarus. Migrants passed through Poland and continued on to Germany. In 2023, there were almost 12 thousand of them.
Germany reacted : more than 1,900 smugglers arrested, illegal entry fell by more than 60%. Chancellor Scholz and Minister Faeser are clear: until migration decreases, controls remain.
Security and politics
Once again, officially... It's not just about migrants. The German government also mentions terrorism, crime and political social pressure . Polls? 67% of Germans support controls. And with elections coming up in Germany, migration and security are a hot potato.
What do inspections look like in practice?
For many travelers, what matters most is what to expect at the border itself. Here's what the reality looks like on the roads, trains and buses.
What happens to drivers?
We have not returned to the booths and barriers of the Polish People's Republic. The checks are mobile, random, but very present. They are most noticeable on motorways such as the A2 or A4. The federal police stand with a "Polizei-Kontrolle" sign and watch the traffic. Questionable cars - to be checked.
If you are driving a car, the chance of being checked is about 1 in 10. Usually you will just slow down. But always carry an identity document with you – an ID or passport.
Who do they check most thoroughly?
Buses, vans and trucks are under particular scrutiny. They look inside, there are CO₂ detectors, sometimes cameras. In buses, they check passengers' documents. In trains? Patrols board just outside the border and check selected people.
Transport and economy on the border
The checks not only slow down traffic, but also severely affect the daily functioning of local communities and businesses. From farmers to hauliers, everyone has felt the effects.
Traffic jams, delays and losses
The A12 Berlin-Świecko motorway is now number one... in the ranking of the most congested routes in Germany. In 2024 – almost 9,000 traffic jams, a total of over 3,900 hours of standing. Trucks wait for hours, and logistics companies counted losses.
Residents and local businesses
In Słubice or Gubin it is getting dense and loud. Residents complain that they "feel the border" again. The number of cross-border customers is falling: fewer Germans come to Poland to shop, and fewer Poles come to Germany to work.
Poland and Germany: joint responsibility for the Schengen borders
Although Germany introduced the controls, the fight against illegal migration is an effort of both countries. What does cooperation look like and what are the arrangements between the services?
Cooperation of border services
Although Germany formally introduced controls, cooperation with Polish services is working. A joint coordination center operates in Święcko. Joint patrols are organized, and the Polish Border Guard stops so-called migrant couriers even in Podlasie. In 2024, over 300 such cases.
No control from Poland
Poland itself has not introduced mirror checks , considering that there is no need for it. Critics talk about "returning migrants" to Poland. The government rejects the accusations: everything is in accordance with EU law.
What is the position of the European Union?
The European Union is not indifferent to Germany's decision. Are the inspections legal? What do the Commission and the EU Court have to say about this? This is a hotly debated topic.
The European Commission and the Court of Justice of the EU
The European Commission is watching but not intervening. The Schengen rules are clear: checks can be temporary, in exceptional circumstances. The EU court warned in 2022 that continued extensions on the same basis could be unlawful.
Political pressure and Schengen reforms
Brussels is working on Schengen reform. One idea is to introduce a protective mechanism: a joint decision on controls, instead of unilateral moves by states. Will it work? We'll see.
What next for the PL-DE border?
Uncertainty remains. Will the checks disappear after September 2025, or will they stay with us longer? It all depends on several factors.
Scenarios for the future
For now, the controls are to remain in force until September 15, 2025. Then we will see. Everything depends on the migration situation, Berlin's policy and reforms in the EU.
Optimistic scenario? Decrease in the number of migrants, end of controls, return to Schengen as before.
Pessimistic? Another extension, new reasons, e.g. security of EURO or other events.
What can you do?
There is nothing left to do but have your documents with you , check the situation at the border (e.g. in applications) and plan with time to spare. If you are traveling professionally - expect delays.
How about you? Do you feel safer, or are you just annoyed by the return of barriers? Let me know how you feel about the border becoming a reality again.
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