Poland will introduce border controls to Germany from July 7th - what now?

Poland will introduce border controls to Germany from July 7th - what now?

Polen, Land - From July 7, 2025, Poland will temporarily introduce border controls to Germany and Lithuania. This measure was announced by Prime Minister Donald Tusk after a cabinet meeting and is a reaction to the one -sided border controls of the German government and to the rejection of asylum seekers. Tusk emphasized that the decision will have profound effects on the freedom of movement of the people in the region.

The decision of Poland falls into a context in which Germany had already introduced random checks on the Polish border in October 2023. These controls were originally intended to combat irregular migration, but were intensified under the new German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Travelers from the Czech Republic, Austria and other countries must expect controls from July 7th.

background of the border controls

The border controls of Poland are to be understood in response to the German measures that have become increasingly strict. Tusk had brought such controls into play three weeks ago. The government spokesman said that these controls were necessary to limit the "uncontrolled stream of migrants". The federal police in Germany have the opportunity to dismiss asylum seekers what is legally controversial. These developments are perceived as a setback for the Schengen area, which originally aimed at the abolition of such controls.

The Schengen Agreement, signed in 1985, should open the internal limits within Europe while the external borders were secured at the same time. Usually there are no stationary controls in the Schengen area at the internal limits. The current measures of both countries are also in the further context of the European Union and their migration policy, which has been shaped by tensions and not dissolved problems for years. The term 'Schengen' comprises 26 Member States and aims at the free movement of the citizens.

political reactions and future prospects

The political reactions to the Polish decision are mixed. Chancellor Merz underlined the need for a common solution for these challenges and emphasized the close exchange with the Polish government. Bavarian Prime Minister Markus Söder expressed understanding of the controls, while the Poland representative of the Federal Government, Knut Abraham, warned of permanent border controls.

The SPD faction vice, Sonja Eichwede, sees developments as a further sign of the fragility of the Schengen area, while the Greens critically consider the federal government's migration policy critically and perceive the controls as the result of national solutions. These discussions show that the topic of border controls and migration is by no means a completed chapter.

The creeping change of the policies in recent years, initiated by the Schengen Agreement, is in a complex area of tension. The EU has repeatedly tried to establish a uniform migration policy, but often failed due to the different national interests, which illuminates the current controls. These developments could not only affect freedom of travel, but also the political landscape in Europe.

The upcoming border controls and the reactions to it are therefore of central importance for the future design of European migration policy and stability within the Schengen area.

Further information on the current developments can be found at Vol.at href = "https://www.zdfheute.de/politik/ausland/polen-kontrollen-reis-deutschland-100.html"> ZDF and bpb.de .