Germany Reintroduces Border⁣ Controls: What This Means for Travelers

Germany is set to reintroduce border controls from September 16, 2023, for a‌ period​ of six months. This temporary measure will affect travelers from Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as other countries.

Last year, Germany introduced stricter controls on‍ its land ‍borders with Poland, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia, resulting in the return of 30,000 migrants ⁢from October 2023. This measure is now being⁢ extended to​ Germany’s borders with Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, France, and Austria.

The German‌ Ministry of the Interior has stated that the ​federal police will use a range⁤ of stationary ⁤and mobile border ⁣police measures on all ⁤German land borders, enabling the return of people at all German land borders‌ in accordance with European and national law.

Impact on Passengers

The reintroduction of internal border controls means that passengers will be required to bring personal documents, such⁣ as identity cards or passports, for all⁤ cross-border journeys. Citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina traveling to ‌work⁣ or on vacation can request a certificate of place⁤ of stay or employment. Additional ‍measures for entry into the EU will also apply.

The Federal Police⁤ will maintain internal ⁣border controls in accordance with the requirements of the border police in the border regions. The scope, intensity, location, and duration of the controls will depend on the development of the situation and the conditions of the local traffic ‌infrastructure.

Border ‌Crossings and ​Controls

Internal border control ⁢is possible at any point along the border.⁤ The competent federal police will decide the⁢ scope, intensity, location, and duration of ‌the control, ‍depending on ⁤the situation.

Under ‍EU rules, countries in the Schengen ⁣area are allowed to introduce border controls only as a last resort‍ to prevent threats to internal⁢ security or public policy.

Asylum⁢ Seekers and Refugees

Even with‍ internal border⁣ controls​ in place,⁢ third-country nationals seeking protection will be referred to the competent initial reception center for inspection. Asylum seekers can be transported to another EU country ⁤under⁢ the‍ Dublin Regulation and may be refused asylum. Those who have entered illegally can be returned to the country ⁣they entered from.

New rules for entering the European Union ⁢will come‌ into force ⁣for ⁢citizens of around 60 countries, including those from the Western Balkans, from November 10.