Migration policy: Ministry: Border controls “targeted”, not comprehensive

Shortly before the expansion of border controls, the Federal Ministry of the Interior announced further details of the planned measures. There should be “not blanket controls, but rather targeted controls” “in order to combat cross-border crime and further limit irregular migration,” the ministry explained. The Federal Police will carry out the controls “flexibly and depending on the current security requirements.” The scope, duration and specific locations for the controls depend on this.

Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser (SPD) stressed that Germany would “continue to act in close coordination” with its neighbouring countries and ensure “that people in the border regions, commuters, trade and business are affected as little as possible by the controls”.

She told “Bild am Sonntag” that there would be no long traffic jams. However, disruptions could not be ruled out, her ministry said. Travelers and commuters should carry an identity document such as an ID card or passport when crossing the border.

Border controls initially for six months

The Interior Minister had ordered that there should be border controls at all German land borders from this Monday in order to further reduce the number of illegal entries. The additional controls will initially last for six months. This applies to France, Denmark, Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg. Such controls already exist at the borders with Austria, Poland, the Czech Republic and Switzerland. Controls have also recently been carried out at the border with France, which the Federal Government justified with the Olympic Games, among other reasons. Criticism of the expanded controls, which are only provided for in exceptional cases in the Schengen area, has already come from several European countries, including Poland, Denmark and Greece.