Polish Interior Minister: Belarus Border Remains “Top Priority” Ahead of Ireland’s EU Presidency

Speaking at the Kuźnica border crossing on June 3, 2026, Interior and Administration Minister Marcin Kierwiński declared that the Polish-Belarusian frontier “remains the apple of the government’s eye.” Joined by Ireland’s incoming EU Council President-designate, Justice and Migration Minister Jim O’Callaghan, Kierwiński showcased Poland’s 190 km steel barrier and electronic surveillance network that were erected after the hybrid-migration crisis orchestrated by Minsk in 2021-2023. Kierwiński highlighted a dramatic fall in illegal crossings: only 204 attempts were recorded in Podlaskie province between January 1 and May 31, 2026, compared with more than 10,000 in the same period a year earlier. Despite the lull, he warned that pressure could “rise rapidly” and urged Brussels to maintain funding for border infrastructure, drones and staffing. O’Callaghan signalled that migration management and external-border security will be among the Irish presidency’s headline files from July 1, adding that “weaponisation of migration will be met with a united EU response.” For businesses operating in north-eastern Poland, the message is twofold: supply-chain routes remain open and secure, yet unannounced checks by the Border Guard (SG) and military units will continue. Logistics firms moving freight through Kuźnica and Bobrowniki should factor in longer inspection windows, particularly for third-country drivers. The government also reiterated that humanitarian corridors for legally admitted workers from Belarus remain unaffected, meaning companies can still sponsor work permits through standard Voivode procedures. Policy analysts note that Warsaw is leveraging the improved statistics to argue against an EU-wide mandatory relocation quota for asylum seekers. Poland’s stance may influence forthcoming negotiations on the reform of the Schengen Borders Code and the Asylum and Migration Management Regulation (AMMR). A senior SG official told PAP that “zero crossings in Q1 does not mean zero risk” and confirmed contingency exercises with Frontex will continue through the summer. Employers with Ukrainian and Belarusian staff are advised to monitor SG communiqués for any temporary access restrictions to the 200-metre buffer zone. Companies planning site visits near the fence should file movement notices 48 hours in advance.



To streamline these preparations, travellers and mobility managers can turn to VisaHQ, a digital platform that simplifies Polish visa applications with step-by-step checklists, real-time status tracking and expedited courier options. Find out more at https://www.visahq.com/poland/

Although business travel into Poland is not directly restricted, heightened alert status could tighten visa-issuance timelines at consulates in Minsk and Grodno, so HR teams should budget extra lead-time for assignees.