Germany has announced increased border controls, marking a significant shift in the country’s migration and security policies. This decision has already caused serious concern among neighboring countries, which warn of possible negative consequences for the entire Schengen area. As Euractiv reports, the resumption of border checks with the Czech Republic, Poland and Austria can create a domino effect that threatens to destabilize the entire visa-free zone.
German Interior Minister Nancy Feser has confirmed that the new border checks will remain in place until the level of illegal migration drops significantly. The move has drawn considerable pressure from political forces, particularly conservative parties such as the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and the Christian Social Union (CSU), which insist on the restoration of permanent controls on all German borders. The liberal Free Democratic Party also supported this measure, placing the fight against illegal migration among its priorities.
Neighboring countries, in particular the Czech Republic and Poland, are particularly concerned about this development. They believe that the reintroduction of border checks could be a serious departure from the basic principles of the Schengen Agreement and could cause a wide-ranging domino effect, affecting border procedures throughout the area. A spokeswoman for the Czech Ministry of the Interior, Hana Mala, said that this issue should be resolved at the highest political level on a pan-European level.
Poland also expressed concern, noting that existing controls are already causing difficulties for border traffic, and called on the German side to consider the possibility of canceling checks at the Polish border as soon as possible or introducing alternative measures.
Some countries in the European Union, such as Denmark, take the prospect of increased border control with some indifference, believing that it will make “little difference” in the overall context. Instead, other countries, like Belgium, emphasize the importance of the smooth functioning of the Schengen area, especially for countries with open economies where the free movement of people is of great importance.
Earlier, the Minister of the Interior of the German state of Brandenburg, Michael Stübgen, called for the strengthening of border control at all borders of the European Union with Hungary. This was a response to Budapest’s decision to ease the visa regime for citizens of Russia and Belarus, which also caused alarm in Germany.
What Ukrainians need to know
For Ukrainians planning trips to Germany, it is important to be prepared for the new realities of border control. Here are some tips that can help you avoid trouble:
- Be prepared for border checks. This applies not only to traveling by car or bus, but also when crossing the border by air or water.
- Have your identification documents with you. It is necessary to have a foreign passport or other documents confirming your identity and the purpose of the trip.
Ensuring that these innovations do not complicate your journey will be an important aspect of preparing for a trip to Germany under the conditions of changed border controls.
