New border controls between Germany and Poland: Risks for commuters!

New border controls between Germany and Poland: Risks for commuters!

From Monday, July 7, 2025, Poland will introduce its own border controls on the border with Germany. This decision was announced by Prime Minister Donald Tusk after a cabinet meeting in Warsaw. With the measure, the Polish government wants to contain the "uncontrolled stream of migrants". It should be noted that the Federal Government has carried out random checks on the border with Poland since October 2023 in order to counter the irregular migration. Brandenburg's Prime Minister Dietmar Woidke (SPD) has spoken out for closer cooperation between Germany and Poland during the border controls and sees potential for the joint missions of the police forces of both countries.

The new regulation raises many questions and ensures concern among companies and politicians. These fear that the stricter controls will lead to considerable traffic jams, which not only increases the travel time, but could also burden the economy. Already on the Polish side, traffic jams can be observed that come about through the German controls. Woidke suggests setting up a third lane for controls on the A12 to relieve the traffic.

effects on travelers and business

The border controls in Poland are primarily directed against car traffic. Travelers have to expect longer waiting times of 15 to 30 minutes of heavily frequented transitions. It is recommended to carry ID documents such as identity card or passport and to plan an additional time buffer. While rail traffic is largely untouched, commuters, drivers and freight forwarders have to deal with the new regulations. The controls could also lead to higher transport costs and result in the decline in customers in border shopping centers.

The Polish controls are not only a practical challenge, but also a domestic signal. Prime Minister Tusk emphasizes that these measures are a reaction to "growing asymmetry in European border management". In the background there is the pressure of national conservative and right -wing extremists in Poland, which require tougher measures against migration. The unrest in the EU about bilateral border controls is great, since there are usually no stationary personal checks in the Schengen area at internal borders.

political reactions and views

The introduction of controls has already triggered discussions about the future freedom of movement within the EU. Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) emphasizes that Germany is working closely with Poland to minimize the effects on the citizens. He also makes it clear that there will be no returns from asylum seekers to Poland that have already come to Germany. This is described by the SPD as a setback for the Schengen area and the freedom of movement, while the Greens criticize the federal government's migration policy and view the Polish controls as a result of national sole

Some experts already warn of the long-term consequences of these measures and see the resumption of border controls as a warning signal for the European integration process and freedom of travel in the Schengen area. The Federal Government and the EU Commission must now react to the new circumstances and find solutions in order not to ensure both security and not to unnecessarily restrict people's freedom of movement. The challenges of the EU external borders, especially in relation to Belarus and Ukraine, further increase the complex location.

Overall, it is indicated that the new border controls will have both short and long-term effects on the entire region. Observers are excited to see how the situation will develop and what this means for the future of European cooperation.