Pentecost holidays in North Rhine-Westphalia: Stau-chaos threatened by border controls!

Pentecost holidays in North Rhine-Westphalia: Stau-chaos threatened by border controls!

Nordrhein-Westfalen, Deutschland - The holiday Pentecost leads to an increased traffic volume on the highways in North Rhine-Westphalia. The routes towards the Netherlands are particularly affected, where holidaymakers have to expect considerable waiting times. During the Ascension weekend there was already a traffic jam of up to 30 minutes. This situation is likely to exacerbate with the upcoming Pentecost weekend. According to ruHR24 Stowage problems on Friday, June 6th, and on Whit Monday, June 9th, expected.

The federal police have introduced increased border controls on the German-Dutch border since May 2025, in order to proceed in particular against smugglers and illegal migration. The controls are mobile and random, which brings additional waiting times for travelers. Despite the targeted measures, vacationers should plan with double driving time and choose skillful travel times, such as early in the morning or late in the evening to minimize waiting times. In many cases, side routes can turn out to be faster than the main traffic routes.

Details on the controls and motorways

The most affected motorways are:

• A3 via Elten to Zevenaar
• A30 via Bad Bentheim to de Lutte
• A40 via Straelen to Venlo
• A52 according to Roermond
• A57 via Goch to Gennep
• A61 via Kaldenkirchen to Venlo
• A31/B402 via Meppen to Zwartemeer

Travelers are pointed out to have valid ID documents and vehicle documents to be provided, since personal details and residence status are checked during the controls. A EU pet ID card with a valid rabies vaccination is also required for pets.

First successes in combating illegal migration have already been reported, as reported WDR . The federal police ask numerous commuters every day and plans further controls to keep the search clientele unpredictable. The "commuter atlas NRW" shows that thousands of people commute from NRW to the Netherlands every day. Many commuters are particularly active in Kleve, Goch and Geldern.

The federal police will publish a first record of the controls carried out next week. This measure should not only serve to combat crimes, but also to ensure security at the border crossings. Despite the intensive controls, it is emphasized that waiting times of 20 to 30 minutes should not be exceeded.

Due to the current situation, combined with the ongoing construction site operation, the Pentecost weekend could become a particularly chaotic experience for travelers. The authorities therefore advise you to prepare well for the trips and bring patience to or from the Netherlands when traveling to or from the Netherlands.