Fresh statistics released on 15 December 2025 by the Federal Police office in Trier show that intensified land-border controls with France, Luxembourg and Belgium are catching far more irregular migrants than previously disclosed. Since Germany reinstated systematic checks on 16 September 2024—and twice extended them, most recently to 15 March 2026—officers in Rhineland-Palatinate and Saarland have recorded 5,515 unauthorised entries.
Break-down of cases: 3,454 people crossed illegally from France, 1,730 from Luxembourg and 331 from Belgium. In the same period, 2,547 individuals were immediately refused entry at the frontier and sent back to France, 1,134 to Luxembourg and 197 to Belgium. The police also arrested 169 suspected smugglers and detained 669 people wanted on outstanding warrants.
The Interior Ministry argues the figures prove the controls are working—unauthorised entries nationwide fell more than 60 % between October and November. Yet criticism is mounting from business lobbies and neighbouring governments. Luxembourg’s transport ministry says delays on the A64 have cost cross-border commuters up to 90 minutes each morning, affecting more than 50,000 German and Luxembourgish workers. French freight association FNTR warns of “millions in supply-chain losses” if controls persist through Easter.
![Germany’s western border checks detect 5,500 illegal crossings since September controls reinstated]()
For companies and individuals needing clarity on documentation requirements or help securing the correct travel permits while border checks remain unpredictable, VisaHQ offers up-to-date visa and passport services. Their dedicated Germany portal (https://www.visahq.com/germany/) provides expedited processing and expert guidance, helping commuters, hauliers and corporate mobility teams minimise the risk of being turned back at newly enforced checkpoints.
German industry groups are now lobbying for ‘green-lane’ passes for lorry drivers and registered commuters, similar to COVID-era arrangements. The Federal Police say they are piloting mobile document readers to speed up checks but insist that systematic control will stay until at least mid-March. Corporate mobility managers should advise staff who live in France or Luxembourg but work in Germany to carry residence and employment documents at all times and allow extra travel time.
Legally, Germany is approaching the two-year Schengen limit for continuous internal controls. Berlin plans to invoke the “exceptional circumstances” clause if security risks remain, meaning businesses may have to factor permanent spot-checks into workforce planning.
Break-down of cases: 3,454 people crossed illegally from France, 1,730 from Luxembourg and 331 from Belgium. In the same period, 2,547 individuals were immediately refused entry at the frontier and sent back to France, 1,134 to Luxembourg and 197 to Belgium. The police also arrested 169 suspected smugglers and detained 669 people wanted on outstanding warrants.
The Interior Ministry argues the figures prove the controls are working—unauthorised entries nationwide fell more than 60 % between October and November. Yet criticism is mounting from business lobbies and neighbouring governments. Luxembourg’s transport ministry says delays on the A64 have cost cross-border commuters up to 90 minutes each morning, affecting more than 50,000 German and Luxembourgish workers. French freight association FNTR warns of “millions in supply-chain losses” if controls persist through Easter.
For companies and individuals needing clarity on documentation requirements or help securing the correct travel permits while border checks remain unpredictable, VisaHQ offers up-to-date visa and passport services. Their dedicated Germany portal (https://www.visahq.com/germany/) provides expedited processing and expert guidance, helping commuters, hauliers and corporate mobility teams minimise the risk of being turned back at newly enforced checkpoints.
German industry groups are now lobbying for ‘green-lane’ passes for lorry drivers and registered commuters, similar to COVID-era arrangements. The Federal Police say they are piloting mobile document readers to speed up checks but insist that systematic control will stay until at least mid-March. Corporate mobility managers should advise staff who live in France or Luxembourg but work in Germany to carry residence and employment documents at all times and allow extra travel time.
Legally, Germany is approaching the two-year Schengen limit for continuous internal controls. Berlin plans to invoke the “exceptional circumstances” clause if security risks remain, meaning businesses may have to factor permanent spot-checks into workforce planning.
