All articles tagged with #border controls
Over 3,000 migrants died attempting to reach Spain by sea in 2025, a significant decrease from the previous year due to tighter border controls, but the routes have become more dangerous, with increased shipwrecks and new migration pathways emerging, highlighting ongoing human rights concerns and inadequate rescue efforts.
Anti-immigration protests organized by the far-right Confederation Liberty and Independence took place in over 80 Polish cities, demanding border closures with neighboring countries and stricter immigration policies, amid ongoing debates and recent border control measures. Counter-demonstrations advocating for refugee acceptance also occurred, reflecting the polarized views on migration in Poland.
Poland has reintroduced temporary border controls with Germany and Lithuania due to concerns over irregular migration, involving increased police presence and checks at border crossings, amidst tensions within the EU regarding border security and migration policies.
Political tensions over migration have led Poland and Germany to impose border checks, further weakening the Schengen area's free travel zone amid rising right-wing populism and migration pressures, threatening the long-term viability of open borders in Europe.
Poland will reintroduce temporary border checks with Germany and Lithuania starting July 7 due to rising tensions over illegal immigration within the Schengen zone, with Poland warning of potential reimposition of checks on the Polish-German border if migrants are sent from Germany. Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz defended border checks, emphasizing the need to prevent abuse of free movement, while clarifying that Germany does not push back asylum-seekers. Several Schengen countries are planning or have implemented internal border controls to curb illegal migration.
The Netherlands plans to implement additional land border checks starting December 9 to address irregular migration, following Germany's similar move in September. This decision by the Dutch government, led by the hard-right party PVV, aligns with EU regulations allowing temporary border controls in response to serious threats. The measure, which has no extra funding for enforcement, aims to minimize traffic disruption and reflects rising anti-immigration sentiment in Europe.
Romania and Bulgaria have partially joined the Schengen travel zone, allowing free access for travelers arriving by air or sea but maintaining land border checks due to opposition primarily from Austria over illegal migration concerns. The move has been hailed as a "huge success" and a "historic moment" by EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Both countries have been fulfilling the criteria for joining the Schengen area for years and are expected to fully accede by the end of the year, with Bulgaria aiming for full accession by the end of 2024. However, concerns have been raised about potential long queues at EU land borders and the impact on trade and the health and safety of drivers.
Bulgaria and Romania have partially joined the Schengen area, allowing for visa-free travel by air and sea but not land routes due to Austria's concerns about asylum seekers. The move is seen as a significant symbolic milestone for the two countries, with plans to fully integrate into Schengen by the end of the year. However, truck drivers and businesses in both countries have expressed frustration over the slow progress and financial losses caused by long border waits, while officials emphasize the irreversible nature of the integration process.
New border controls on some of Britain’s food imports from the EU have come into force, increasing red tape for businesses and threatening to drive up prices for consumers. The checks will cost British businesses about £330 million annually and increase food inflation by about 0.2 percentage points over three years, with warnings of a greater impact on inflation. Industry experts are concerned about potential disruptions to supplies and price hikes for staples, as well as the impact on food security and product availability.
Brexit's impact on imports of EU goods into Britain is finally becoming real as the British government will start implementing new border controls on January 31st, leading to increased bureaucracy and potential delays for European exporters. Trade figures show a weaker performance in British goods exports to the EU compared to non-EU countries, while imports from the EU have risen. The new border checks may create upward price pressure and pose challenges for both British and European businesses.
Several European countries, including Austria, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Norway, Poland, Sweden, France, Slovakia, and Slovenia, have tightened their borders by reintroducing temporary border controls due to an increase in legal and illegal arrivals of migrants. These measures are being taken in response to various security threats, including pressure on asylum reception systems, arms trafficking, criminal networks, terrorism, and the war in Ukraine. The controls are set to last until different dates ranging from December 2021 to May 2024. Additionally, Finland has temporarily closed most of its passenger crossings to Russia due to a surge in migrant arrivals.
Several European countries, including Austria, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Norway, Poland, Sweden, France, Slovakia, and Slovenia, have tightened their borders by reintroducing temporary controls due to an increase in legal and illegal arrivals of migrants. These measures are being taken in response to various security threats, including pressure on asylum reception systems, arms trafficking, criminal networks linked to the war in Ukraine, people smuggling, terrorism, organized crime, and threats from foreign intelligence services. Some countries have extended these border controls until 2024, while others have set shorter timeframes. Finland has temporarily closed most of its passenger crossings to Russia due to a surge in migrant arrivals.
Slovenia has deployed police on its border crossings with Croatia and Hungary to prevent potential security threats, leading to queues as travelers wait for document checks. The temporary border controls were introduced following Italy's decision to improve home security by implementing controls on its border crossing with Slovenia. Police have been deployed on 14 border crossings, while the remaining 18 crossings will not have a permanent police presence. The Slovenian government cited security threats from terrorist and extremist movements, as well as a rise in organized crime in the western Balkans, as reasons for the border controls.
Slovenia has deployed police officers on border crossings with Croatia and Hungary to prevent potential security threats, leading to queues as travelers wait for document checks. The temporary border controls were introduced following Italy's decision to implement controls on its border with Slovenia. Police are present at 14 border crossings, while the remaining 18 crossings do not have a permanent police presence. The Slovenian government cited security threats from terrorist and extremist movements as well as a rise in organized crime in the western Balkans as reasons for the border controls.
Central European countries, including Czechia and Austria, have introduced border controls with Slovakia following Poland's decision to do so. While Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala cited the number of migrants as the reason, Czech Interior Minister Vít Rakušan stated that the number of illegal migrants coming from Slovakia to Czechia is significantly lower than in the previous year. The measures have been coordinated among the countries involved, but the Slovak government warns that such actions could lead to a cascade effect and calls for a European solution to migration. Poland's Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki plans to veto the approval of the EU's new migration policy at the upcoming European Council.