Poland intends to expand border checks - Extension of Border Controls Proposed by Poland
Poland has announced that it will extend its temporary border controls with Germany and Lithuania, initially set to end on August 5, 2025. This decision comes in response to rising concerns about irregular migration and follows Germany's own border checks, which were implemented in 2023.
The border controls, which have been in place since July 7, 2025, are part of a broader trend among Schengen countries. Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, and others have reinstated or extended internal border checks to manage migration flows. Poland's Interior Minister, Tomasz Siemoniak, has confirmed that the border measures will certainly be extended, viewing the initial 30-day Schengen-mandated period as insufficient to address the issue comprehensively.
The Polish government has deployed hundreds of police and soldiers at numerous crossings with Germany (52) and Lithuania (13). The extension of controls with Germany needs to be approved by the Polish government, while the date for the final decision on the extension with Lithuania is not yet known.
The decision to maintain border controls is a protective measure aimed at curbing illegal crossings and responding to Germany’s tightened controls and returns of migrants to Poland under EU rules. Poland's Prime Minister, Donald Tusk, has defended the controls as beneficial for the entire EU, not just Poland.
The ongoing border control strategy reflects ongoing challenges within the EU migration framework, balancing open borders with national security concerns. The tensions between Poland and Germany over migration policies, as well as accusations involving Belarus pushing migrants into EU territory, have contributed to this complex situation.
| Aspect | Current Status | Future Plans | |----------------------------|-----------------------------------------|------------------------------------| | Poland-Germany Border | Temporary controls in place since July 7, 2025 | Controls set to be extended beyond August 5, 2025 | | Poland-Lithuania Border | Controls also reinstated alongside Germany | Same extension plans as Germany border | | Reason | Rising irregular migration, Germany’s tightened policies, return of migrants | Continued pressure to manage migration flows, prevent illegal crossings | | EU/Schengen Context | Part of wider trend among Schengen countries reimposing controls | Internal checks expected to persist through late 2025 | | Political Context | Tensions between Poland and Germany, accusations involving Belarus migration tactic | Political discourse remains tense but cooperative on some fronts |
This evolving border control strategy is being closely monitored by the news agencies, including the Polish Press Agency, which has been reporting on the issue. Right-wing citizen militias in Poland have accused Germany of pushing back refugees who had not previously been in Poland, and asylum seekers can be rejected at the Germany-Poland border according to orders made by the German Federal Interior Minister.
As the situation continues to develop, it is clear that the EU migration framework will continue to face challenges, requiring a delicate balance between open borders and national security concerns.
- In light of the escalating concerns regarding irregular migration and the current strained politics between Poland and Germany, the employment policy of various EU member states may need to evolve to better address the influx of migrants and potential security threats.
- The extension of Poland's temporary border controls with Germany and Lithania, as well as the implementation of migration-focused measures in Germany's employment policy, reflect a growing emphasis on general-news topics such as migration and politics within the Schengen Area.
