Germany's plan to intensify border controls may comply with Schengen rules but might have broader implications for the EU and asylum seekers, experts warn. The Schengen Area is designed for seamless travel and open borders within Europe. However, Germany's center-left federal coalition, shaken by recent far-right electoral successes and a high-profile terrorist attack, is now pursuing stricter border checks.
Interior Minister Nancy Faeser of the Social Democratic Party (SPD) announced on Monday that Germany will step up border security until a stronger European asylum system is in place. Faeser argues that enhanced border rules could significantly increase the rejection of asylum seekers and address threats related to Islamist terrorism and serious cross-border crime.
This policy shift follows a fatal knife attack in Solingen, allegedly carried out by a 26-year-old Syrian man with links to the Islamic State. Additionally, the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party made significant gains in recent state elections, intensifying pressure on Chancellor Olaf Scholz's coalition government to adopt tougher immigration and border control measures.
What Is Germany Planning?
Starting next Monday, Germany will implement systematic land border checks for six months on travelers arriving by bus, train, or car from Schengen zone neighbors Belgium, France, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg. Similar controls were introduced in October 2023 on borders with Poland, the Czech Republic, and Switzerland, with over 30,000 people turned away. The new measures' specifics—such as the frequency and depth of identity checks—are still unclear, as is how they will align with Schengen rules and EU law.
Germany's plan allows for systematic checks for up to two years in practice if there is a specific security threat. However, both Schengen rules and EU law guarantee the right to seek asylum and the principle of non-refoulement. A detailed proposal is expected this week.
Impact on Germany's Neighbors
Germany, which shares borders with nine countries, is central to the EU's geography and economy. The increased vigilance and potential delays at borders could affect traffic flow and the economy. Approximately 240,000 people commute from neighboring countries to Germany for work.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk criticized the plan as "unacceptable" and called for urgent consultations with other affected countries. Tusk argued that Poland needs more support from Germany in securing the EU's external borders rather than increased internal controls.
Austria's conservative Interior Minister, Gerhard Karner, has declared that Austria will not accept any rejected asylum seekers or migrants, stressing that the law prohibits such transfers.
Effects on Asylum Seekers
Germany's goal with the new measures is to reject more asylum seekers and reduce irregular migration. According to Alberto-Horst Neidhardt of the European Policy Center, this could result in a backlog of people stuck at borders, with Germany turning people away and neighboring countries refusing to accept them.
Neidhardt cautions that while chaotic scenes at entry points are possible, it is unlikely that Germany has the capacity and trained personnel to manage all its land borders effectively.
Implications for the EU Asylum System
Neidhardt suggests that Germany’s move might trigger a "chain reaction," prompting other EU countries, such as France or the Netherlands, to adopt similar anti-immigration measures. Mireia Faro Sarrats of the European Council on Foreign Relations agrees, noting that this could set a precedent for other EU member states to cite security threats and tighten border controls.
What This Indicates About Germany’s Current Stance
The shift in Germany’s immigration policy reflects a significant change since the 2015 European migrant crisis, when Germany, under Chancellor Angela Merkel, largely kept its borders open to refugees. Neidhardt interprets the increased border checks as a political response to public security concerns rather than an effective solution to the cited threats. Despite the new controls, irregular arrivals are unlikely to be completely prevented.
