Which Schengen countries have reintroduced border controls in 2024-2025 ?

By AXA Schengen, 19 December 2024

While the Schengen area is by definition a zone of free movement of people between ​​member States, Schengen countries are increasingly choosing to reintroduce internal border control. What motivated this decision? How long will these controls be maintained? The AXA Team examines the situation and brings you some answers.

• How can Schengen countries reintroduce border control?
• Which Schengen countries have ​​temporarily reinstated border control in 2024-2025?
• What to expect during internal border control? 

How can Schengen countries reintroduce border control?

According to ​​the Schengen Borders Code (SBC) which supervises the management of ​​the Schengen area borders, a member State can temporarily and only in exceptional situations reintroduce internal border control in case of threat to public policy or internal security.
This prerogative of the member States cannot be disputed by any European authority or other State. However, when border control is re-established, the country in question must simultaneously notify the European Parliament, the European Council, the European Commission and all​​ the Schengen countries.

4 situations in which internal border control can be reintroduced

Reintroduction of internal border control can occur in the following circumstances:

1. Incidents or threats in connection with terrorism or organised crime.
2. High scale public health emergency.
3. Massive and unauthorised movements of third country nationals between Schengen States.
4. Major or high-level international events.

A supervised and time-limited measure

The Schengen Borders Code specifies that reintroducing border control must be a last resort measure used in exceptional circumstances.

Its scope and duration must be proportionate to the level of threat and restricted to what is absolutely necessary to contain it. If the threat persists, the measure can be extended following strict procedures but cannot be maintained longer than 2 years.

Measures adapted to each type of situations

The Schengen Borders Code distinguishes different types of situations, among which: ​​​

• Foreseeable cases of serious threat to public policy or internal security: the member State can re-establish border control for a duration of 30 days, renewal per period of 30 days but no longer than 6 months. In exceptional circumstances, that period can be extended to a maximum of 2 years. Other member States and the Commission must be notified at least four weeks before.
   
• Unforeseeable threats demanding immediate action: a member State can immediately reintroduce control at its borders for 10 days without prior notification. This decision can be renewed for 20-day periods maximum. The measure cannot be extended longer than 2 months. Other member States and the Commission must be informed without delay.

Did you know ?

• If the Commission considers that a threat could, without internal border control, jeopardize the overall functioning of the Schengen area, it can recommend that one or several state Members reintroduce their internal border control.
• Internal border control can also be re-established during major international events such as the G7 and G20 international forums, or sports events such as the European Football Championship and the Olympic Games.

Which Schengen countries have reintroduced border control in 2024-2025?

Internal border control has already been reintroduced temporarily in the Schengen area due to exceptional circumstances such as the Covid pandemic between 2020 and 2022, the 2015 migrant crisis and during the series of terrorist attacks which struck several Schengen member States (France, Belgium, Norway…).

In a tense international context combining general political instability, active war zones in the East (Ukraine) and South (Middle East and Africa) of Europe, ensuing migration flows and safety issues, many European countries have decided to reintroduce border controls.

NB: the following abbreviations indicate hereafter which borders are concerned: land (L), air (A) and sea (S). When nothing is mentioned, the measure is applied to all the different types of borders.

Border controls in Germany

Which borders? Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands.

End date? March 15th, 2025.

Why?

• Migratory pressure,
• Challenges linked to the arrival of refugees,
• Migrant smuggling, increasing irregular migrant arrivals as a result of the war in Ukraine, the situations in Afghanistan, Turkey, Syria and the Middle East.

Border controls in Austria

Which borders? ​​Hungary (L) **, Slovenia (L) **, Slovakia (L, S)*, Czech Republic *

End date? *April 15th, 2025 and ** May 11th, 2025.

Why?

• Important increase in irregular migrations, smuggling and strain on the asylum reception system due to the crisis in Ukraine and the Middle East.
• Risks for national security, including terrorist threats.

Border controls in Denmark

Which borders? All internal borders, Germany (L, S).
End date? May 11th, 2025.
Why?

• Threats linked to terrorism and organised crime,
• Espionage and sabotage attempts in connection with the war in Ukraine,
• Impact of the conflicts in Ukraine, the Middle East and Africa on migratory pressure, irregular entries and infiltration by radicalised individuals.

Border controls in France

Which borders? Germany, Belgium, Spain, Italy, Luxembourg, Switzerland.
End date? April 30th, 2025.
Why?

• High-level terrorist threats, risks of infiltration by radicalised individuals,
• Criminal networks facilitating irregular migration, smuggling and irregular crossings through the Channel and the North Sea, leading to tensions between migrants as well as with law enforcement.

Border controls in Italy

Which borders? Slovenia (L)
End date? June 18th, 2025.
Why?

• Risks of terrorist activities and infiltration through irregular migration flow, particularly along the Mediterranean Sea and the Balkans, due to the crises in Eastern Europe and the Middle East.
• Threats of violence targeting Israeli citizens.
• Enhanced risks for public safety during the celebrations of the Universal Jubilee of the Catholic Church.

Border controls in Norway

Which borders? All ports with ferry connections to the Schengen area. All internal borders.
End date? May 11th, 2025.
Why?

• Threats targeting the energy sector Risks of sabotage in connection with the war in Ukraine.
• Increased protective measures of infrastructures.

Border controls in the Netherlands

Which borders? Germany (L, A), Belgium (L, A).
End date? June 8th, 2025.
Why?

• Increase of irregular migrations, smuggling and secondary migration flows.
• Stronger strain on the asylum reception system and structures. R
• Rise in the number of criminal incidents in reception centres.

Border controls in Slovenia

Which borders? Croatia (L), Hungary (L). End date? June 21st, 2025.
Why?

• Risks of terrorist infiltration in the migration flows.
• Smuggling and arms dealing.
• Consequences of the war in Ukraine, including illegal entry attempts by Russian nationals.

Border controls in Sweden

Which borders? All internal borders.
End date? May 11th, 2025.
Why?

• Serious threats linked to terrorism,
• Tensions due to an ongoing armed conflict involving organised crime and gangs.

Important!
Depending on the evolution of the risks and threats, these temporary reintroductions of border controls can be prolonged. If you are travelling to Europe, make sure to check what border controls are in place as additional controls can lead to longer waiting time.

How are the border controls carried out?

The reintroduction of internal border control does not mean complete closure as was the case during the Covid-19 pandemic but a temporary suspension of free movement within the Schengen area.

These controls, which mainly aim at limiting illegal immigration and fighting against the threat of terrorism, are random and non-systematic. They are carried out by law enforcement in the case of suspected breach.

All travellers must be able to present a valid ID document. Border authorities check the data, using the Schengen Information System (SIS) for example. They make sure no alerts have been issued against the holder or that they have not been banned from entering. They can also check, if necessary, the validity of the traveller’s visa.