Poland closes borders: start controls - what does that mean for you?

Poland closes borders: start controls - what does that mean for you?

In a surprising turn, the Polish government introduced controlled border posts on the border with Germany on July 7, 2025. This measure was taken to act against the increasing irregular migration. Already on the first day, controls were carried out at 52 border crossings, which mainly focus on vehicles with many occupants as well as buses and minibuses. Tinted slices are also the focus of the Polish security forces. The Polish Interior Minister Tomasz Siemoniak emphasizes that the controls aim to prevent illegal smugglings, however, assures that "normal travelers" can pass freely, ['Tagesschau'] (https://www.tagesschau.de/ausland/Europa/polen-- brenzkontrollen-faq-100.html) reports.

The return of over 3,000 people from Germany to Poland has been illustrating the explosive location since the beginning of the year. About 10% of these returns have taken place on the basis of the EU regulations, which stipulate that asylum applications must be made in Poland. The remaining returns were prompted by the federal police to try to enter Germany as persons. This raises the question of whether the border controls actually represent a solution for the often summoned "flood of migrants" or whether they are more due to political pressure in Poland, where the government has to deal with internal challenges, such as critical voices emphasize 'mdr'.

political background

The Polish government coalition is under pressure. After the defeat of the government candidate Rafał Trzaskowski in the presidential election, the coalition lost strength. Important reforms and election promises have so far been insufficiently implemented. This is seen by critics as a sign of the weakness of the current government. While discussions between Szymon Hołownia from "Third Way" and Jarosław Kaczyński from the PIS party take place, it is speculated that there is a possible change of front. The PIS sees itself on a way back to the power and supports measures that are supposed to burden the current government 'MDR'.

The introduction of border controls is not just a domestic topic. They are also part of a larger European tendency, since more and more countries, including Belgium, are also thinking about border controls. The pressure on European asylum policy is growing, and a summit on the Zugspitze will soon bring further tightening. "The EU shows itself powerless," says the Süddeutsche Zeitung, while the ECJ 2022 has made it clear that controls may only be extended for new threats 'Süddeutsche'.

effects on the commuters

The border controls already have an immediate effect on the commuters who commute between Poland and Germany every day. Every day, about 13,000 people from Poland make their way to Saxony and more than 14,000 to Brandenburg. The temporary controls, which were initially limited until August 5, 2025, ensure longer waiting times, especially on weekends. The IHK in Brandenburg already warns of possible economic losses through the associated traffic disruptions and traffic jams 'Tagesschau'.

The Polish government is under pressure to find a balance between the maintenance of internal European freedom of travel and the political freedom that tries to defend it. In the middle of these challenges, the question remains how long the controls can be maintained and which permanent solutions are required for migration. An exciting development that will continue to develop in the coming weeks.