Federal authorities express cautious apprehension towards Woidke's plan for travel permits - Skepticism Surrounds Woidke's Passport Proposal, According to Bund
In a move aimed at managing migration and ensuring security, both the German and Polish governments have extended temporary border controls along their shared borders. These controls, which have been in place since July 2025, will now continue until at least October 4, 2025.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who took office in early 2025 with a strong migration control agenda, has been cooperating closely with the Polish government to minimize the impact on cross-border traffic, including commuters. However, all travelers—including commuters—are now subject to passport and identity checks when crossing the border.
Germany has been conducting random checks at the border with Poland since October 2023, and these checks have been strengthened since the inauguration of the black-red federal government on 8 May. The border controls may involve additional administrative steps or delays for commuters, but no reports indicate a complete suspension of commuter travel permits.
The Polish government emphasizes these measures as protective for the entire EU, not only Poland. On the German side, Chancellor Merz has made it clear that some asylum-seekers will be refused entry at this border.
Brandenburg's Minister President, Dietmar Woidke (SPD), has proposed travel permits for German-Polish commuters to ease the burden of these checks. However, the Federal Ministry of the Interior has responded skeptically to this proposal, with the ministry spokesman stating that the issuance of 'travel permits' would not reduce costs from a police perspective.
The purpose of these checks is to stop irregular migration. Asylum seekers can now be rejected at the border in Germany. The head of government believes that border controls should not lead to longer waiting times for professional commuters. A visual check is carried out for all individuals wishing to enter from Poland, according to the ministry spokesman.
The originally planned checks at the border with Poland will now continue until 4 October. The Federal Interior Minister, Alexander Dobrindt (CSU), has announced an extension of border controls until September. The Polish Ambassador, Jan Tombinski, visited the head of government on Tuesday.
It is important to note that Germany is part of the Schengen area, where open borders are actually provided for. However, the EU’s Schengen rules still allow such controls in “exceptional” or “emergency” situations, such as those cited here. The extension of border controls in Germany does not affect the Schengen area’s open border policy.
The RBB previously reported on this proposal, and the head of government mentioned a travel permit solution that was used during the corona period in Frankfurt (Oder). The government in Warsaw has stepped up its own checks in response to Germany's border controls.
As a commuter, it is essential to have valid travel documents and to expect identity and permit verifications at the border, aligned with the current temporary security measures by both governments. The border controls at the Poland-Germany border are aimed at managing migration and ensuring the safety of all travelers.
- Despite being part of the Schengen area, which typically promotes free movement of workers and freedom to provide services, temporary border controls have been extended in EC countries like Germany and Poland due to concerns about managing migration and ensuring security.
- The ongoing border controls between Germany and Poland, initially prompted by concerns over migration, are not intended to disrupt the freedom to provide services or the free movement of workers within the EU, as these controls are allowed under the EU’s Schengen rules in exceptional or emergency situations.
