EU: Internal Schengen Border Checks Situation
As of September 8, 2025, several Schengen countries continue to maintain temporary internal border controls, measures originally intended as short-term but now extended into 2026.
Germany and Poland have confirmed that their internal checks will remain in place until March–April 2026, while Austria, Denmark, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Slovenia, and Sweden plan to keep theirs active until September–December 2025.
These controls mean that travelers may be asked to present identification documents and undergo additional checks when crossing borders within the Schengen Area. Those traveling visa-free should also monitor their 90 days in any 180-day period limit carefully, as overstays remain subject to penalties.
Although border checks within the Schengen Area are generally prohibited, they may be reintroduced temporarily for national security reasons. Such measures, first implemented in late 2015, continue in various forms across several countries, affecting cross-border mobility and transport flows.
Further guidance on the duration and scope of current checks is available through official EU sources, though updates may appear with some delay after new announcements.
In mid-2024, the amended Schengen Border Code came into force, introducing several important changes:
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It enables EU-wide travel restrictions during major public health emergencies.
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It clarifies procedures for reintroducing internal border controls by Member States.
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It allows governments to limit border crossing points and enhance surveillance as part of broader efforts to address security and migration challenges.