Border controls: Commuters suffer from gridlock in Frankfurt (Oder)

Border controls: Commuters suffer from gridlock in Frankfurt (Oder)

A new chapter in the German-Polish border history has opened. Since July 11, 2025, the federal police have been checking people who have entered the country at the German-Polish border. This marks a return to controls that have not been necessary since 2007. The measures were expanded by Poland on October 24, 2023, after German border controls have been dampening the desire of many commuters to travel since September 2023. The situation at the border remains tense and is leading to a real “traffic gridlock” in places like Frankfurt (Oder), as city councilor Jan Augustyniak reports. He himself drew attention to himself with a silent protest against the Polish controls after observing the negative impact on commuters in the region. Around 14,000 Poles commute to Brandenburg and 4,000 to Berlin every day, and the controls are bringing traffic to a standstill, as recent reports show. Traffic jams often reach as far as Heilbronner Straße – one kilometer from the border crossing – and the backlog on the motorway between Berlin and Warsaw can be up to 10 kilometers, resulting in additional travel times of almost 20 minutes.

But what actually happens during these checks? The procedure is very reminiscent of the German controls: vehicles have to drive past slowly and the occupants are visually checked. However, there is an unfortunate difference in treatment: while white Germans and Poles are usually waved through without any problems, dark-skinned or southern-looking people and women with headscarves are often the target of more intensive hearings. In addition, commuters report that conditions are in great need of improvement - on the Polish side, a single-lane road leads to sometimes unbearable waiting times, checking a coach can take 3 to 4 minutes, while the road conditions are anything but optimal.

The reactions and possible solutions

Brandenburg's Interior Minister Wilke is concerned about the consequences of the controls, not only for commuters, but also for transport and the economy as a whole. The Chambers of Commerce and Industry warn of the economic losses that could result from delays in crossing borders. Many Germans use the border region for everyday errands, be it to get gas or go shopping. This usual mobility could be severely restricted by increasing controls.

State parliament member Kurt Fischer (SPD) has already suggested ideas for easing the situation. He sees joint controls by German and Polish officials as an opportunity to improve cross-border cooperation and optimize processes. However, the normalization of the situation is uncertain - this is closely linked to the implementation of the Common European Asylum System (CEAS), which is expected to come into force from mid-June 2026 and will affect current asylum procedures.

Border signs and European understanding

Despite everything, there are also signs of understanding for the difficult situation on the bridge between Frankfurt (Oder) and Słubice. In various places, European flags and signs with the inscription “Frankfurt (Oder) – Słubice – Without borders – Bez granic” are flying as a reminder of the historic cooperation between the two cities, which have been working towards a common future for 25 years. But the new controls significantly affect the previously lived freedom of borders.

In this area of ​​tension between security and mobility, it remains to be seen how the situation will develop and whether stakeholders on both sides of the border can find a solution that is acceptable to everyone. The coming weeks and months will be crucial in assessing the impact of the controls on the everyday lives of commuters and the economic connections between Germany and Poland. The attention is on the political decision-makers, who are now required to have a good hand in ensuring that traffic is made easier.