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

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

In a surprising twist, the Polish government introduced controlled border posts on the border with Germany on July 7, 2025. This measure was taken to address rising irregular migration. On the first day, checks were carried out at 52 border crossings, focusing mainly on vehicles with many occupants as well as buses and minibuses. Tinted windows are also the focus of Polish security forces. Polish Interior Minister Tomasz Siemoniak emphasizes that the controls are aimed at preventing illegal smuggling, but assures that “normal travelers” can pass unhindered, ‘Tagesschau’ reports.

The return of over 3,000 people from Germany to Poland since the beginning of the year highlights the explosive situation. Around 10% of these returns took place due to EU regulations, which stipulate that asylum applications must be submitted in Poland. The remaining returns were initiated by the Federal Police when people attempted to enter Germany. This raises the question of whether the border controls actually represent a solution to the often invoked “migrant flood” or whether they are more due to political pressure in Poland, where the government is struggling with internal challenges, as critical voices emphasize['MDR'](https://www.mdr.de/nachrichten/welt/osteuropa/politik/polen- Grenzkontrollen-110.html).

Political backgrounds

The Polish government coalition is under pressure. Following the defeat of government candidate Rafał Trzaskowski in the presidential election, the coalition has lost strength. Important reforms and election promises have so far only been inadequately implemented. Critics see this as a sign of the current government's weakness. While talks are taking place at the same time between Szymon Hołownia from “Third Way” and Jarosław Kaczyński from the PiS party, there is speculation that a possible change of front is underway. The PiS sees itself on a path back to power and supports measures that are intended to burden the current government‘MDR’.

The introduction of border controls is not just a domestic political issue. They are also part of a larger European trend as more countries, including Belgium, also consider border controls. The pressure on European asylum policy is growing, and a summit on the Zugspitze is soon expected to make things even more strict. “The EU appears powerless,” states the Süddeutsche Zeitung, while the ECJ made it clear in 2022 that controls may only be extended in the event of new threats‘Süddeutsche’.

Impact on commuters

The border controls are already having a direct impact on commuters who travel between Poland and Germany every day. Every day around 13,000 people from Poland make their way to Saxony and more than 14,000 to Brandenburg. The temporary controls, which were initially limited to August 5, 2025, result in longer waiting times, especially on weekends. The IHK in Brandenburg is already warning of possible economic losses due to the associated traffic disruptions and traffic jams'Tagesschau'.

The Polish government is under pressure to find a balance between preserving freedom of travel within Europe and the political freedoms it is trying to defend. Amid these challenges, questions remain about how long controls can be maintained and what permanent solutions are needed for migration. An exciting development that should continue to unfold in the coming weeks.