If you have crossed a German land border recently, you may have noticed something unusual for the Schengen Area: passport checks. Since September 2024, Germany has maintained additional controls at all of its land borders — with France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Denmark, Poland, the Czech Republic, Austria, and Switzerland. Now, the EU's top migration official has publicly told Germany to stop. EU Commissioner for Migration Magnus Brunner has appealed to the German government to halt these checks, reigniting a debate about the balance between national security concerns and the foundational Schengen principle of free movement. For expats living in Germany — especially those who travel frequently, commute across borders, or have family in neighbouring countries — this dispute has real practical significance.
Germany's federal government reintroduced border controls in September 2024, initially framing them as a temporary measure to reduce irregular migration entries and respond to domestic political pressure around migration policy. The checks were subsequently extended and broadened to cover all of Germany's land borders.
Under EU rules, Schengen member states can reintroduce border controls temporarily if there is a serious threat to public policy or internal security. However, such controls are meant to be a genuine last resort — proportionate, time-limited, and subject to review. Critics, including the European Commission, argue that Germany's controls have overstayed their legal welcome and undermine the integrity of the Schengen Agreement, one of the EU's most tangible achievements for ordinary citizens.
Magnus Brunner, EU Commissioner for Migration, has directly appealed to Berlin to end the extra controls. The Commissioner's position reflects the European Commission's broader concern that multiple member states have been reintroducing border checks in ways that chip away at free movement as a fundamental right.
The Commission can take legal steps against member states that breach Schengen rules, though enforcement is politically complex. Brunner's public appeal signals that the Commission considers Germany's prolonged border controls to be disproportionate and inconsistent with EU law — even if formal infringement proceedings have not yet been launched.
For the expat community, this is not just a political story. The continued border checks have tangible day-to-day consequences:
Cross-border commuters: Thousands of people live in Germany and work in France, the Netherlands, or other neighbouring countries — or vice versa. Passport checks add time and unpredictability to daily commutes.
Travellers within the EU: Even if you are an EU citizen, the reintroduction of checks means you need to carry valid travel documents (passport or national ID card) when crossing German land borders. Non-EU expats with a valid Aufenthaltstitel should always carry their permit when travelling.
Entry from non-Schengen countries: For those crossing from Switzerland (which is Schengen but not EU) or other borders, checks have become more systematic. Make sure your documents are always up to date.
Asylum seekers and irregular migrants: Increased border controls are primarily aimed at detecting and turning back individuals attempting to enter Germany irregularly. If you are in the asylum process, consult a legal advisor about your rights at the border.
There are several possible outcomes to this standoff:
No firm timeline has been announced. For now, the checks remain in place, and expats should plan accordingly.
Yes. With border checks in place, you should carry valid travel documents whenever you cross a German land border — including within the Schengen Area. EU citizens should carry their passport or national ID card. Non-EU expats should carry both their passport and their valid Aufenthaltstitel. Even if checks are not always carried out at every crossing point, being stopped without documents can cause significant delays and legal complications.
Germany has cited Articles 25–28 of the Schengen Borders Code to justify the reintroduction of controls. However, these articles specify that controls must be temporary and proportionate. The European Commission's public position is that Germany's prolonged and comprehensive controls raise serious legal questions. Until a court rules otherwise or a political agreement is reached, Germany's controls remain in force.
If you hold a valid Aufenthaltstitel issued by Germany, you have the right to re-enter Germany from Schengen countries. However, you should always carry your permit and passport when travelling, as border officers may check documentation. If your permit is close to expiry, ensure you have applied for renewal before travelling, as an expired permit complicates re-entry even within the Schengen zone.
The EU–Germany border check dispute is unlikely to be resolved overnight. For expats, the practical takeaway is simple: treat German land borders as document-check zones for now, regardless of your nationality. Keep your passport and Aufenthaltstitel valid and with you when you travel.
Follow developments through official EU and German government sources. If you believe your rights under Schengen or EU free movement law have been violated at the border, organisations such as Pro Asyl or a local migration law firm can advise you.
Source: iamexpat.de
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