The European Commission has called on Germany and other Schengen countries to begin ending temporary internal border checks, as modern border management technologies provide new security alternatives and the bloc seeks to restore freer movement within Europe.
The European Commission has urged Germany and several other Schengen countries to begin winding down temporary internal border checks, arguing that the latest security and migration arrangements now offer a path back towards freer movement. In its assessment on Tuesday, the commission said the controls, though lawful in limited circumstances, should not become a permanent feature of the passport-free area.
Germany has maintained checks at all of its land borders since September 2024, extending them three times, most recently until mid-September 2026. According to reporting by dpa, the measures cover crossings with France, Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Denmark, Switzerland, Austria, Czechia and Poland, and are officially described by authorities as targeted spot checks rather than fully staffed border posts.
The commission said temporary checks remain compatible with EU law when they respond to genuine and legitimate security or migration concerns, but it also argued that more effective alternatives are available. These include non-systematic police checks and mobile biometric identification and vehicle-tracking technologies. EU Migration Commissioner Magnus Brunner said illegal border crossings were down another 40 per cent in 2026 and that the bloc was rolling out what he described as the most modern border management systems in the world.
The wider Schengen framework, created in 1985, now covers 29 countries and allows more than 450 million people to travel without internal border checks. Under the Schengen Borders Code, internal controls are meant to remain exceptional, and the commission said the maximum duration should, in principle, not exceed two years. The warning comes as Austria, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Slovenia and Sweden have all reintroduced or continued temporary checks in recent years amid concerns over migration, terrorism, organised crime and wider security risks.
Source Reference Map
Inspired by headline at: [1]
Sources by paragraph:
– Paragraph 1: [2], [6], [7]
– Paragraph 2: [1], [4]
– Paragraph 3: [1], [2]
– Paragraph 4: [3], [5], [6]
Source: Noah Wire Services
Verification / Sources
- https://www.dailyfinland.fi/europe/49620/Brussels-calls-on-Germany-to-phase-out-EU-internal-border-checks – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://germany.representation.ec.europa.eu/news/temporare-grenzkontrollen-eu-kommission-gibt-stellungnahmen-ab-2026-06-02_de – On 2 June 2026, the European Commission evaluated the proportionality of temporary border controls introduced by Germany and eight other EU member states. The assessments include recommendations to help these countries work towards gradually lifting internal border controls. The Commission continues to advocate for maintaining the principles of free movement and security across the Schengen Area. EU Migration Commissioner Magnus Brunner highlighted that the EU is implementing the largest reform of its migration management system, with illegal border crossings decreasing by an additional 40% in 2026.
- https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/policies/schengen-area/ – The Schengen area, established in 1985, allows over 450 million people to travel freely between member countries without internal border checks. It has expanded to include 29 countries, comprising 25 EU member states and four non-EU countries: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland. The area facilitates the free movement of people, goods, and services, contributing significantly to the EU’s competitiveness and economic growth. The Schengen Borders Code governs the rules for crossing external borders and the conditions for reintroducing internal border controls in exceptional circumstances.
- https://www.visahq.com/news/2026-03-11/de/germany-prolongs-internal-schengen-border-checks-until-15-september-2026/ – Germany’s Federal Ministry of the Interior has formally notified the European Commission that temporary controls at all nine of the country’s land borders will continue for another six-month cycle, from 16 March to 15 September 2026. The controls apply on roads, rail lines, and coach routes linking Germany with France, Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Denmark, Switzerland, Austria, Czechia, and Poland. Officials stress that they are ‘targeted spot checks’ rather than full-scale border stations, but industry data from 2025 show that even five-minute inspections can cause significant delays.
- https://www.kru.org/article/11-eu-nations-reinstating-schengen-border-checks-2026/ – In 2026, eleven EU and Schengen-associated nations reinstated temporary internal border controls, citing terrorism threats, migration pressures, organised crime, and geopolitical instability as primary justifications. The checks affect road, rail, ferry, and, in some cases, air travel between countries that normally allow unrestricted movement. A country-by-country guide provides details on where checks are active, their duration, and what travellers need to know.
- https://eur-lex.europa.eu/EN/legal-content/summary/rules-on-crossing-eu-borders.html – Regulation (EU) 2016/399, known as the Schengen Borders Code, sets out rules on crossing the European Union’s external borders and the absence of border controls at internal borders. The regulation has been amended several times, most recently by Regulation (EU) 2024/1717, which seeks to bolster the Schengen area’s resilience to serious threats such as irregular immigration, public health emergencies, and the instrumentalisation of migrants, adapting the rules accordingly.
- https://home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/policies/schengen/schengen-area/schengen-governance/schengen-cycle_en – In 2022, the European Commission established the annual Schengen Cycle to improve strategic and operational coordination on Schengen matters. This framework ensures the smooth functioning and continuous improvement of Schengen by providing a structured approach to assess how Schengen countries implement and comply with common rules. It includes tools like the ‘State of Schengen’ report, published annually, to identify key challenges and set priority actions at both national and European levels.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score: 8
Notes: The article was published on 2 June 2026, which is recent. However, similar reports have appeared in other reputable sources around the same time, such as the European Commission’s official statement on 2 June 2026. (germany.representation.ec.europa.eu) This suggests that the content may be based on a press release, which typically warrants a high freshness score. (europapress.es)
Quotes check
Score: 7
Notes: The article includes a quote from EU Migration Commissioner Magnus Brunner stating, “illegal border crossings are down another 40% in 2026.” This quote appears in other reputable sources, such as the European Commission’s official statement. (germany.representation.ec.europa.eu) The consistency of the quote across multiple sources supports its authenticity. However, the exact wording varies slightly between sources, which may indicate paraphrasing or slight modifications.
Source reliability
Score: 6
Notes: The article originates from Daily Finland, a niche publication. While it references reputable sources, the primary source is a press release from the European Commission. (germany.representation.ec.europa.eu) This suggests that the content may be derivative, summarising or rewriting content from another publication. (europapress.es)
Plausibility check
Score: 8
Notes: The claims made in the article align with known events and statements from the European Commission. The article mentions that Germany has maintained checks at all of its land borders since September 2024, which is consistent with previous reports. (visahq.com) The article also notes that the European Commission has urged Germany and other EU countries to phase out internal border checks, which aligns with the Commission’s official statements. (germany.representation.ec.europa.eu)