With a clear recommendation to nine EU countries, the European Commission aims to put an end to a development that has continued to escalate since the 2015 migration crisis.
Germany, France, the Netherlands, Austria, Denmark, Italy, Slovenia, Sweden and Norway have in recent years reintroduced border controls within the Schengen Area, where free movement of persons is one of the most important principles.
Temporary Only
According to European rules, EU countries may temporarily impose border controls if there is a serious threat to public order or internal security. This measure is intended as an exception and must be regularly reassessed with proper justification. In practice, however, some countries have extended controls for years, causing these temporary checks to become almost permanent.
Promotion
Brussels believes there is now insufficient justification for this. The Commission points out that the new European asylum and migration pact will soon be fully in effect. This is intended to ensure stricter monitoring of the European Union's external borders and better cooperation among EU countries in managing migration flows. Additionally, the number of illegal crossings at the external borders has significantly decreased this year, according to the Commission.
Alternatives Are Available
Brussels also stresses that better alternatives are now available. Member states can use targeted police checks, mobile identification technologies, and other forms of surveillance that are less intrusive for the free movement of people within Europe. Furthermore, in cases of acute emergencies, it remains possible to carry out temporary controls.
The Commission emphasizes that the current border controls not only have limited effectiveness but also cause adverse effects for residents of border regions. People who cross the border daily for work, education, or shopping experience delays and traffic jams. In various border areas, this has led in recent years to growing frustration and economic damage.
Limited Effect
For the Netherlands, it has additionally been shown by research that border controls contribute very little to reducing migration pressure. The Dutch government had already announced plans to end the current controls by the end of September 2026. Brussels sees this as a step in the right direction.
Furthermore, the continued extension of border controls is under legal scrutiny. European courts have previously ruled that countries cannot endlessly use the same arguments to prolong temporary measures. According to the Commission, with the introduction of new European migration rules, the need for prolonged internal border monitoring has further diminished.