Poland introduces border controls: district prepares for traffic jams!

Poland introduces border controls: district prepares for traffic jams!

The reintroduced border controls between Poland and Germany are currently causing a lot of discussion. It was only on Monday, August 5, 2025 that the Polish authorities opened their eyes at the crossings. Police and border guard control teams are now active and checking the travelers' IDs. This has far-reaching consequences, not only for holidaymakers, but also for commuters. The Vorpommern-Greifswald district has therefore taken precautionary measures to adapt to this changed situation, particularly with regard to disaster control. In the event of long queues, a supply train could be available to ensure that there are no bottlenecks at the borders. District Administrator Michael Sack (CDU) informed the district council about the preparations, which are currently predominantly preventive, as [nordkurier.de](https://www.nordkurier.de/regional/anklam/borderkontrollen-in-polen-landkreis- Preparet-katastrophenschutz-vor-3738392) reports.

Day one of the inspections went relatively harmoniously. There were no significant traffic jams at the border crossings in Linken, Pomellen and Ahlbeck, which has somewhat dampened the concerns of many travelers for the time being. Nevertheless, the Foreign Office warns against relying on a calm situation. Above all, travelers should be prepared to have their identification documents ready and be aware that bringing unknown people in the car can result in legal consequences. This is particularly relevant as the new regulation strictly penalizes aiding and abetting illegal entry and transit in Poland.

Border traffic and economic concerns

As has already been noted, travelers will have to expect longer waiting times, especially for buses and cars with many passengers. The checks are random and focus on ferries and vehicles with tinted windows, as zdf.de reports. The federal government had reacted to Poland introducing its own controls to respond to the controls in force in Germany.

However, commuters coming from areas close to the border should be allowed through without major delays if possible. But the Chambers of Industry and Commerce in Brandenburg are already reporting initial economic concerns. Foreign trade with Poland is particularly important for this region. As already indicated, there could be a traffic collapse, as many people regularly drive to Poland to refuel or shop.

Political reactions and future challenges

The political background is just as remarkable. The right-wing conservative opposition party PiS is using the issue of these border controls to stir up fears of migration. It's not just about security, but also about domestic power games on both sides. The normalization of the situation is uncertain and will depend on the planned rules of the Common European Asylum System (CEAS), which is due to come into force from mid-June 2026. This regulation provides, among other things, to ensure the identification of new arrivals within seven days and to implement an accelerated border procedure for asylum seekers.

It is still unclear whether and for how long the controls will last. The time limit for the measures initially applies until August 5, 2025. If the conditions do not change - as many experts predict - travelers and commuters will continue to have to live with these uncertainties.