That means the measure will remain in force until at least 15 September 2026, the ministry told the editorial team on 16 February in response to an inquiry.
Because systematic border checks are not provided for within the Schengen area, Germany must formally notify the European Commission. The federal government said EU institutions and member states have been informed accordingly.
Interior Ministry says checks remain necessary
In the Interior Ministry’s view, the measures are still justified on migration and security grounds. In its statement, the BMI said:
“We are extending border checks at the borders with our neighbouring countries. Border checks are one element of our reorganisation of migration policy in Germany. Our goal for a new migration policy in Europe remains: to limit, to manage and to return. To that end, we will bring a new European migration system into force this year. Together with our European partners, we are ensuring better protection of the external borders, working on a practical Dublin system and making returns more reliable.”
Checks have been in place since autumn 2024
Stationary internal border checks have been in place since September 2024 and were expanded in May 2025.
According to the Federal Police, by the end of 2025 more than 33,000 unauthorised entries had been recorded, with most individuals turned back.
The number of asylum applications has also fallen. The BMI said 168,543 applications were filed in 2025, compared with 250,945 in 2024 — a decrease of 32.8%.
What it means for freight transport
The extension affects Germany’s land borders with France, Luxembourg, Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark, Austria, Switzerland, Czechia and Poland — covering most major corridors for European road freight to and from Germany.
For hauliers, the key impact is operational: while the checks are not comprehensive and are carried out on a situation-dependent, spot-check basis, they can still cause delays and short-notice congestion at border crossings. Operators are likely to feel the effects most on heavily used routes, including west–east traffic towards Poland and Czechia, north–south links via Austria, and key transit corridors to the Benelux countries and France.
