France is extending border controls for another six months; from 1 November 2025 to 30 April 2026. The country has maintained temporary controls at its internal borders since 1 May 2024, systematically prolonging the measure.
According to the latest notification sent to the European Commission, the government in Paris justifies the decision as necessary to counter serious threats to public order and internal security.
Controls cover all internal borders
The extended controls will apply to all of France’s internal borders: land, sea, and air. They will affect crossings with Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Spain, and Italy.
Although these measures are formally temporary, their repeated extension has already become a regular feature of France’s security policy. Paris maintains that these actions are essential to protect public safety and to prevent border infiltration by individuals linked to radical groups.
Terrorism, crime, and illegal migration
The French authorities explain that the decision responds to the persistent jihadist threat, the rise in anti-Semitic attacks, and the activities of organised crime groups involved in human smuggling and facilitating illegal migration.
Another reason cited is the growing number of illegal crossings through the English Channel and the North Sea, as well as the increase in violent incidents among migrants in northern France, particularly around Dunkirk and Calais. According to the French government, these situations create “tense and dangerous conditions” for both migrants and border service officers.
Implications for transport and logistics
For the transport industry, another six months of controls mean potential delays and higher operational costs. Truck drivers and logistics operators can expect longer clearance times, especially at borders with Germany and Belgium, which are among the busiest in international freight transport.
France has assured that it will seek to minimise the impact of the controls on the flow of goods and people. However, experience from recent months shows that in practice, drivers should expect difficulties, particularly during peak hours and near ports and crossings in areas with high migratory traffic.
