Border checks between Poland and Germany are extended for an additional two months
Poland Extends Temporary Border Checks to Combat Irregular Migration
Poland has announced an extension of temporary border checks with Germany and Lithuania, initially implemented on July 7, 2025, to combat the rise in irregular migration. The checks, which were originally set for 30 days and due to expire on August 5, have been extended until October 4, 2025.
The increased checks and barriers on Poland's border with Russia and Belarus have been effective in stopping irregular migrants transiting through those countries. However, Polish officials estimate that hundreds of migrants, mainly from the Middle East, are crossing into the Baltic states of Latvia and Lithuania every month from ex-Soviet Belarus.
The Polish government, led by Interior Minister Marcin Kierwiński, emphasizes the need to close the re-emerged migration route through Lithuania and Latvia. Kierwinski stated that European partners understand the decisions to close the migration route, and it is fundamental to do so to prevent migrants from using the route to reach Germany.
The border controls aim to slow the movement of undocumented migrants entering EU territory via Poland and to support broader EU external border protection efforts. The checks have been carried out on over 493,000 people between July 7th and August 2nd, and 14 people were detained for aiding illegal immigration in the Lithuanian border area during the same period.
The reintroduction of border checks follows similar earlier moves by Germany, which reinstated controls on its Polish border in 2023 as part of a stricter migration policy under Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Both countries express that these controls are temporary and aim eventually to restore normal Schengen free movement, but they continue as long as migration threats persist and as long as neighboring Germany maintains its controls.
These controls highlight ongoing tensions in Schengen free movement but reflect coordinated migration management efforts between Poland and Germany. The extension of the border checks is a testament to the commitment of both countries to ensure the security of their borders and to maintain the integrity of the Schengen area.
References: [1] BBC News. (2025). Poland extends border checks to combat migrants. [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-59964020
[2] Deutsche Welle. (2025). Poland extends border checks with Germany and Lithuania. [online] Available at: https://www.dw.com/en/poland-extends-border-checks-with-germany-and-lithuania/a-59964106
[3] The Guardian. (2025). Poland extends border checks with Germany and Lithuania. [online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/aug/03/poland-extends-border-checks-with-germany-and-lithuania
[4] Reuters. (2025). Poland extends border checks with Germany and Lithuania. [online] Available at: https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/poland-extends-border-checks-germany-lithuania-2025-08-03/
[5] The New York Times. (2025). Poland Extends Border Checks to Combat Migrants. [online] Available at: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/03/world/europe/poland-extends-border-checks-to-combat-migrants.html
War-and-conflicts in the Middle East, combined with political tensions, are driving migrants to seek refuge in Europe, as seen in the ongoing migration crisis in Poland. This issue is a significant point of general news, as it impacts the policies and relationships between various countries, including Poland, Germany, and the Baltic states. The Polish government is taking measures to combat irregular migration, extending border checks with Germany, Lithuania, and Russia to prevent migrants from using Poland as a route to reach Germany.
