Proposal for Worker Safety from Electronic Communication Risks to be Presented by the Commission Regarding Protective Directive
In the heart of Europe, Germany has been grappling with the financial and logistical implications of its land border controls, which have been in place since mid-September 2024. According to recent reports, the total cost of these controls, from September 2024 to June 2025, amounts to approximately €80.5 million (around $94 million).
The largest single cost has been overtime pay for federal police officers, amounting to about €37.9 million. Deploying federal police along internal borders has cost around €24 to €29.1 million per quarter. Other expenses, such as meals and hotel accommodation for officers, allowances for unsociable working hours, administrative and operational resources, and running border checkpoints, added up to an additional €16.6 million between April and June 2025.
However, the financial burden is not the only concern. Critics argue that these border controls cause traffic congestion in border regions and impose additional burdens on cross-border commuters and freight transport. While specific quantified economic losses are not detailed in the sources, the ifo Institute estimates up to €140 million in economic costs due to trucks being stuck in traffic at the borders.
Meanwhile, in the picturesque towns around the Nürburgring, a different issue has arisen. Visitors to the famous racing track have been engaging in illegal street racing, causing concern among local residents. The German state and economy are also facing losses due to this issue, though the exact amount is yet to be determined.
In an effort to address the issue, associations around the Nürburgring will meet with the police in Mayen on August 26 to discuss solutions for the problem of show-offs and tuners.
As Germany continues to navigate these challenges, it is clear that the costs of border controls and the impact on truck traffic are significant concerns that require careful consideration.
- In the realm of policy-and-legislation, Germany is dealing with the potential implications of a proposed law restricting street racing near the Nürburgring, following incidents of car-accidents due to illegal street racing.
- Aside from the financial costs of its border controls, Germany also faces challenges in the politics and general-news sphere, as critics question its impact on traffic congestion and cross-border commuters, with the ifo Institute estimating up to €140 million in losses.
- In the crime-and-justice sector, the German authorities are deliberating appropriate strategies to address the rising incidence of car-accidents and illegal racing activities near the Nürburgring, with a scheduled meeting between local associations and the police in Mayen on August 26.
