Longer waiting times at the Polish border: border controls start now!

Longer waiting times at the Polish border: border controls start now!

Since July 8, 2025, travelers have had to expect stricter controls at the border crossings with Germany. Polish border guards have increased checks on drivers and pedestrians at all crossings. These measures are a response to the random checks on the German side that have been running since October 2023 and were introduced due to the increased migration numbers. [ndr] reports that the controls are initially limited until August 5, 2025.

Almost all vehicles have already been checked at the Linken border crossing, even though the official checks were not scheduled to start until Monday. Control teams are also active at other crossings such as Ahlbeck, Garz, Pomellen and Rosow. The lane is narrowed on federal highway 104, known in Poland as M10. Vehicles that stand out because of their tinted windows or as buses and minibuses are particularly in focus.

The effects of controls on border traffic

The new measures are already starting to have an impact on the local economy. Dealers are reporting a noticeable decline in sales as fewer customers are traveling from Germany. The controls can prove to be a hindrance, especially for commuters who cross the border every day, even if the authorities emphasize that they should pass through without major delays if possible. The Polish border guard has also signaled that it would forego its own controls if Germany ended its measures earlier.

These developments come in the context of a broader discussion about border controls that have been introduced at various EU internal borders since 2015, including the German-Austrian border and, since last year, the borders with Poland, the Czech Republic and Switzerland. [europa-uni] points out that the controls were considered in response to concerns about unauthorized migration by various European countries and raise both legal and economic issues.

Migration and the political debate

In the current migration debate, the climate has become significantly worse. According to reports, there were around 98,000 unauthorized entries into Germany by the beginning of October 2023. These numbers, compared to 92,000 the previous year, illustrate the pressure on the authorities. A short expert report recently presented at the European University Viadrina highlighted the negative consequences of border controls, such as the rejection of people without valid documents. [europa-uni] quotes Dr. Marcus Engler, who points out the increasing decline in asylum applications and criticizes the logic that more controls would justify higher migration volumes.

Experts are also observing an increase in fears and insecurities among the population, which are often reinforced by political discussions. The challenge is, on the one hand, to ensure security at the borders and, on the other hand, to protect freedom of travel within the EU. The debate is becoming increasingly politicized, which makes dialogue about the necessary measures more difficult.

One thing is clear: the current situation at the borders with Germany is a hot topic that affects not only travelers, but also the economy and the political landscape. While the controls by the Polish border guard are temporary, it remains to be seen how these measures will affect freedom of movement in Europe. [spiegel] offers a comprehensive overview of the new border policy in the EU.