Schengen Internal Border Controls Persist Through 2027: Germany, Austria and Poland Extend Checks to March
Updated: 4 hours ago
BRUSSELS, September 16, 2026 — Internal border controls remain in force across multiple Schengen countries this month, with Germany, Austria and Poland having extended their checks through March 2027, while six other states continue shorter-term measures into late 2026.
The controls are permitted under the Schengen Borders Code as temporary national security measures, though the European Commission has repeatedly urged member states to phase them out in favour of alternative policing methods.
Countries With Controls Extended to March 2027
Country | Duration | Borders Affected | Stated Justification |
Germany | 16 Sept 2026 – 15 Mar 2027 | All land borders (Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg, France, Denmark, Poland, Czechia, Austria, Switzerland) | Irregular migration, migrant smuggling, asylum system strain, security threats linked to Russia's war in Ukraine and Middle East instability |
Austria | Through March 2027 | Land borders with Slovakia, Czechia, Hungary, Slovenia | Balkan route irregular migration, asylum system strain |
Poland | 2 Oct 2026 – 30 Mar 2027 | Land borders with Germany and Lithuania | Migratory pressure, public security threats |
Countries With Controls Through September–December 2026
Country | End Date | Borders Affected |
Denmark | 11 November 2026 | Land and sea border with Germany |
France | 31 October 2026 | Internal borders with Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Spain and Italy |
Italy | October 2026 | Air and sea borders with Spain; land border with Slovenia |
Netherlands | 30 September 2026 | Borders with Belgium and Germany; intra-Schengen air routes |
Norway | 11 November 2026 | Ports with ferry connections to Schengen countries |
Sweden | 11 November 2026 | Internal borders involving Denmark |
Spain–Italy Reciprocal Measures
Following the mass migrant influx into Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta in late July 2026, Italy imposed border checks on travellers arriving from Spain on 1 August. Spain responded with reciprocal checks on 8 August.
Both countries have since extended these measures — Italy's checks now run until October 2026, and Spain's until 8 October 2026.
Legal Framework: Temporary and Exceptional
Internal border controls are, in principle, prohibited within the Schengen Area because they delay traffic and hamper mobility within the European Single Market. They are nevertheless permitted as temporary national security measures under the Schengen Borders Code.
Under the amended Regulation (EU) 2024/1717, a member state may reintroduce border controls only as a measure of last resort in exceptional situations, including:
Terrorist attacks or threats, as well as risks arising from serious organised crime
Large-scale public health emergencies
Exceptional situations involving sudden large-scale unauthorised movements of non-EU nationals between member states
Large-scale or high-profile international events
Controls may initially be imposed for six months and renewed in six-month periods, normally for a maximum of two years. Where a "major exceptional situation" persists, a state can seek two additional extensions of up to six months each — a theoretical maximum of three years.
Commission Pressure to Phase Out Controls
On 2 June 2026, the European Commission issued formal opinions on prolonged internal border controls in nine Schengen states: Austria, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Slovenia and Sweden.
The Commission acknowledged the genuine security and migration concerns behind the measures but recommended that member states work towards phasing out and gradually lifting internal border controls, making full use of available alternative measures and intensifying regional cooperation.
It highlighted several developments expected to strengthen the structural conditions for lifting controls:
The upcoming entry into application of the Pact on Migration and Asylum
The Entry-Exit System (fully applicable since April 2026)
The future rollout of ETIAS
Alternative measures such as non-systematic police checks, mobile biometric identification and vehicle tracking technologies
The Commission's opinion on Germany was particularly pointed, noting that Berlin had not sufficiently demonstrated why the same level of control was required along every part of its land frontier, especially given falling irregular crossings and declining asylum applications.
Impact on Travellers
Border guards may request identification documents and perform detailed checks on travellers crossing affected internal Schengen borders.
Key advice:
Carry valid identification — passport or national ID card readily accessible
Allow extra time for journeys involving affected borders
Monitor Schengen allowance days — visa-exempt nationals remain subject to the 90 days within any 180-day period limit
Business travellers should expect sporadic passport inspections, vehicle spot-checks and longer waits at major motorway crossings
Rail passengers on cross-border services may encounter on-train checks by border police
Key Dates
Date | Event |
2 June 2026 | Commission issues opinions on nine member states |
16 September 2026 | Germany's extended controls take effect |
30 September 2026 | Netherlands' controls scheduled to expire |
8 October 2026 | Spain's reciprocal checks on Italy scheduled to expire |
31 October 2026 | France's controls scheduled to expire |
11 November 2026 | Denmark, Norway and Sweden's controls scheduled to expire |
15 March 2027 | Germany's extended controls scheduled to expire |
30 March 2027 | Poland's extended controls scheduled to expire |
Read Also
Quick Reference Summary
Aspect | Details |
Extended to March 2027 | Germany, Austria, Poland |
Expiring Late 2026 | Denmark, France, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden |
Reciprocal Measures | Spain and Italy (Ceuta-related) |
Legal Basis | Schengen Borders Code, Regulation (EU) 2024/1717 |
Maximum Duration | Normally 2 years; up to 3 in exceptional cases |
Commission Position | Phase out, use alternative measures |
Official Resources
Resource | Link |
European Commission – Temporary Reintroduction of Border Control | |
Schengen Borders Code (Regulation (EU) 2016/399) | |
Amending Regulation (EU) 2024/1717 | |
EU Short-Stay Calculator (90/180 Rule) |
For the latest immigration updates, visa policy changes, and 2026 developments worldwide, visit: visasupdate.com/news
VisasUpdate.com – The world's most trusted visa intelligence hub.Unlock 2026 immigration breakthroughs, digital nomad policies, and real-time fee alerts—all in one place.
Bookmark us now: visasupdate.com/news – Stay ahead.
Comments