On Monday, Poland reintroduced temporary border controls along its borders with Germany and Lithuania, implementing a more restrictive stance as part of its evolving migration policy. Polish Minister of Internal Affairs and Administration, Tomasz Siemoniak, stated that the Polish Border Guard would conduct checks at 16 points on the Polish-German border and three along the border with Lithuania.
The move comes amidst increasing concerns over illegal migration from Lithuania and aims to safeguard national security. Poland has effectively intervened in 98 percent of illegal entries at its Belarusian border, an effort hindered by Lithuania’s more lenient migration stance. In response, Prime Minister Donald Tusk cited Lithuania’s policies as a significant factor in Poland’s decision to enhance border security.
Germany has endorsed Poland’s approach. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz expressed immediate support for border controls on their shared border, reflecting a mutual inclination towards stricter migration and asylum measures. This alignment is vital as Germany has already extended its temporary border controls since 2023, as part of a broader migration policy reform. According to federal data, June 2025 saw a 59 percent drop in asylum applications compared to the previous year, underscoring Germany’s steps towards limiting asylum acceptance in favor of a coordinated and stringent European policy.
Both Poland and Germany’s decisions resonate within the European Union’s framework, which permits temporary border reinstatements under severe public security threats, per the Schengen Borders Code. Nonetheless, these measures reveal ongoing challenges for the EU’s ideal of open internal borders, as countries navigate the realities of migration pressures.
Furthermore, discussions on uniform migration policies continue at the EU level. German Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt recently invited representatives from several EU countries, including Poland, to a summit aimed at shaping tougher European migration policies. The meeting underscores a regional interest in fortifying border security while evaluating broader implications for the EU’s commitment to free movement.
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