Explainer: Germany’s Plans to Tighten Border Controls in Immigration Crackdown by Reuters

By Sarah Marsh, Jan Lopatka, Alan Charlish

BERLIN/PRAGUE/WARSAW – This week, Germany revealed its plan to impose controls on all land borders and to increase the rejection of asylum seekers, signaling a departure from its previously open-door immigration policy.

Germany, located at the center of Europe and sharing borders with nine countries, is taking this step in response to irregular migration pressures. These new measures pose a challenge to the principle of free movement within the European Union, which has been a cornerstone of EU integration, and could potentially impact regional cohesion.

What Changes Have Been Introduced?

Germany announced on Monday its intention to extend temporary border controls to all land borders, a region generally characterized by free movement under the Schengen Agreement. Scheduled to start on September 16 and lasting initially for six months, these measures are designed to limit irregular crossings.

In addition, on Tuesday, the government proposed stricter enforcement of EU asylum regulations, which would include the detention of asylum seekers while determining whether Germany is responsible for processing their claims. Authorities may utilize tools such as Europe’s shared fingerprint database, known as Eurodac, during this process.

The government rejected opposition requests to automatically deny asylum seekers at the borders, stating such actions would violate EU law.

What Prompted These Changes?

Experts suggest that while irregular migration has been straining public services, the decision could also be politically driven—aimed at reducing the support for far-right and conservative opposition parties ahead of upcoming state and federal elections. Recent polls indicate that migration is a primary concern among voters in the eastern German state of Brandenburg, where elections are set to occur soon. The far-right party, Alternative for Germany (AfD), is currently polling first after winning a state election earlier this month.

Alarmed by recent violent incidents involving asylum seekers, including a deadly knife attack claimed by the Islamic State group, public sentiment surrounding immigration has become increasingly tense.

How Will This Affect Travel in the EU?

Travelers can expect more random checks on vehicles, trains, and buses crossing borders, potentially leading to traffic delays. Individuals found attempting to enter Germany illegally may face denial of entry or detention near the border if they express intentions to apply for asylum.

Experts believe this is not the end of the Schengen Area but rather a shift towards a less effective framework for free movement.

Reactions from Other Countries

Neighboring countries expressed concern that Germany’s decision could shift the burden of asylum seekers back onto them, affecting both commuters and trade.

Poland’s Prime Minister has called for urgent discussions with affected nations, emphasizing that cooperation rather than increased border controls is needed to strengthen the EU’s external borders. On the other hand, the Greek Prime Minister warned against undermining the Schengen Agreement through temporary border checks.

However, some nations remain more relaxed about the situation, noting that Germany has already imposed controls on certain borders. Czech officials have stated that the random nature of checks will not lead to significant changes.

Hungary’s Prime Minister welcomed the new approach, expressing support for stricter migration policies in Europe.

Trends in Asylum Applications

As reported, the EU received over 1.14 million asylum applications in 2023, marking the highest figure since the crisis of 2016. However, recent months have seen a decline in applications, with May witnessing a third fewer applications compared to last autumn. Germany continues to lead in asylum applications, accounting for 22% of the total, while Ireland has the highest per capita rate.

What Lies Ahead?

Germany’s plans concerning the detention of asylum seekers will need to be discussed with the country’s 16 regional governments, as they are essential for implementing these measures. Additionally, Germany aims to engage with European partners to coordinate efforts for the potential return of asylum seekers.

Despite the complexity, Germany is prepared to implement the border controls immediately, having already informed the European Commission of these decisions.