The Polish Border Guard (SG) issued its daily operational bulletin on 13 November, revealing 39 attempted illegal crossings from Belarus during the previous 24-hour period. The agency also disclosed data from the temporary checks re-introduced on 7 July at Poland’s normally open Schengen borders with Germany and Lithuania. On 12 November officers inspected 6 900 travellers and 3 100 vehicles entering from Germany, and 4 300 travellers and 2 800 vehicles from Lithuania, refusing entry to three people and arresting three others on outstanding warrants.
The figures come as the Interior Ministry has extended the internal-Schengen controls until at least 4 April 2026, citing continued pressure from organised smuggling rings linked to Belarusian and Russian agencies. A 78-kilometre buffer zone along the Belarussian frontier—first imposed in June 2024—also remains in force. Employers with cross-border staff rotations must therefore continue to factor in possible spot checks, which can add 30–60 minutes to coach and van journeys.
![Border Guard reports surge in illegal-entry attempts as Poland keeps controls on German and Lithuanian frontiers]()
Logistics companies have already felt the impact: representatives of the Road Transport Association (ZMPD) report that east-bound trucks are queuing up to eight days at the sole open cargo crossing, Koroszczyn. The association is lobbying the Finance Ministry to deploy more customs officers and open an additional “green corridor” for EU-origin goods.
From a duty-of-care standpoint, HR teams should remind travelling employees that crossing at unauthorised points in the buffer zone carries fines of up to PLN 15 000 and may void corporate insurance. Foreign assignees living near the affected area should keep residence cards on hand; SG patrols conducted 52 ad-hoc ID checks last week.
While the government insists the measures are compatible with the Schengen Borders Code, Brussels has signalled it will review Poland’s justification every three months. Mobility managers should monitor future renewals in case documentation requirements change.
The figures come as the Interior Ministry has extended the internal-Schengen controls until at least 4 April 2026, citing continued pressure from organised smuggling rings linked to Belarusian and Russian agencies. A 78-kilometre buffer zone along the Belarussian frontier—first imposed in June 2024—also remains in force. Employers with cross-border staff rotations must therefore continue to factor in possible spot checks, which can add 30–60 minutes to coach and van journeys.
Logistics companies have already felt the impact: representatives of the Road Transport Association (ZMPD) report that east-bound trucks are queuing up to eight days at the sole open cargo crossing, Koroszczyn. The association is lobbying the Finance Ministry to deploy more customs officers and open an additional “green corridor” for EU-origin goods.
From a duty-of-care standpoint, HR teams should remind travelling employees that crossing at unauthorised points in the buffer zone carries fines of up to PLN 15 000 and may void corporate insurance. Foreign assignees living near the affected area should keep residence cards on hand; SG patrols conducted 52 ad-hoc ID checks last week.
While the government insists the measures are compatible with the Schengen Borders Code, Brussels has signalled it will review Poland’s justification every three months. Mobility managers should monitor future renewals in case documentation requirements change.
