Germany Extends Border Controls for 6 Months

The government of Germany announced Monday that it will extend temporary border controls for an additional six months, as Berlin continues to reassess its migration strategy.

A spokesperson for Germany’s Interior Ministry said the measures will remain in place until mid September, marking a third extension. Officials stated that the controls will continue until a workable European level migration policy is fully implemented.

German authorities described the move as part of a broader restructuring of national migration policy, citing what they called measurable success in reducing irregular crossings.

The temporary controls were first introduced under former Chancellor Olaf Scholz following a series of deadly attacks. After taking office in May, the current governing coalition led by Chancellor Friedrich Merz expanded enforcement efforts by deploying additional border police officers to curb asylum arrivals.

In December, Merz signaled that the government was considering ending the measures after the European Union adopted a stricter migration framework at its external borders.

Under European rules, internal border controls within the Schengen Area are generally prohibited but may be temporarily reinstated for up to two years if there is a serious threat to public order or internal security.

According to the Interior Ministry, approximately 50,000 people have been turned back at Germany’s borders since September 2024 for attempting to enter the country irregularly.