Cranking Up the Pressure: Germany's Tightened Border Controls at the German-Danish Frontier
Enhanced Checks Implemented at the German-Danish Border - Increased scrutiny continues at the German-Danish border
The German-Danish border is witnessing a shift, as the Federal Police beefs up its presence. Since mid-September 2021, this once porous frontier has seen increased patrols and inspections, according to a spokesperson from the Federal Police Directorate in Bad Bramstedt. This intensification is a directive from the Federal Ministry of the Interior, established back in May 2021.
The new Interior Minister, Alexander Dobrindt (CSU), had hinted at tighter controls, potentially denying asylum seekers entry if they've already applied in other EU countries. Fortunately, this doesn't apply to pregnant women, children, and other vulnerable individuals.
The deployed forces understand the importance of fluid traffic in the German-Danish border region, where cross-border commuting is essential. As such, they'll make every effort to ensure seamless traffic flow remains an achievable reality.
Unsurprisingly, there's been some pushback against these intensified controls from the Social Democrats in Schleswig-Holstein. MP Birte Pauls voiced the SPD's objections, warning that these new controls could jeopardize the progress made through European integration.
Since May 2025, Germany—under Chancellor Friedrich Merz—joined several European countries, such as Austria, France, Italy, Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway, and Bulgaria, in enacting a broad Schengen border clampdown. This coordinated effort aims to address irregular migration and improve national security [1].
In the German-Danish border region, these controls have become significantly more stringent, with over 14,000 federal border police officers monitoring and controlling all nine of Germany's land borders [1]. Document scrutiny has been heightened, giving federal police the power to deny entry to undocumented migrants even if they originate from fellow EU members—a departure from previous internal Schengen border policies [1][5].
To reinforce its stance, Denmark has extended its border controls with Germany for at least six months due to ongoing terrorism threats and cross-border crime concerns [2][3]. Advanced technology, such as 25 stationary automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) units and drones, is employed for monitoring the border and detecting unlawful activities [2]. Specialized operational units are also conducting extensive patrols in border areas to counteract itinerant criminal groups [2].
The humanitarian and social implications of these stricter controls are significant. Longer wait times and thorough inspections might impact daily commuters, trade, and tourism [5]. Germany's tougher stance on migration, including denying entry to asylum seekers from other EU countries, could potentially sour relations within the Schengen Area and rekindle discussions about the delicate balance between freedom of movement and national security [1][4].
Despite these challenges, intensified border monitoring and collaboration between German and Danish police forces may have positive consequences. In particular, it could lead to a decline in cross-border criminal activities [2][3].
In conclusion, the toughening of border controls at the German-Danish border is a significant shift in policy, as Germany and Denmark confront migration pressures and security threats head-on. While these measures aim to enhance security and manage migration more effectively, they also raise questions about Schengen free movement's potential impact and the humanitarian implications for migrants and refugees [1][2][3][5].
- The German government, under Chancellor Friedrich Merz, has implemented a community policy in 2025 that includes stricter border controls, following the lead of other European countries such as Austria, France, Italy, Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway, and Bulgaria.
- This policy involves increased vocational training for border control officers to effectively manage the enhanced border controls at the German-Danish frontier, where over 14,000 federal police officers have been deployed to monitor nine land borders.
- The policy aims to ensure the seamless flow of traffic in the border region, where cross-border commuting is essential, while also addressing concerns about irregular migration, terrorism threats, and cross-border crime.
- The new border control directive has been met with criticism from the Social Democrats in Schleswig-Holstein, with MP Birte Pauls warning that these measures could jeopardize the progress made through European integration and potentially sour relations within the Schengen Area.
