Germany has quietly prolonged the ‘temporary’ controls re-introduced last September on all nine land borders—including the busy D5 and D8 motorway crossings and the Prague–Berlin rail corridor—until 15 March 2026. The notice appeared in the Federal Gazette on 29 December and was confirmed by Czech officials on New Year’s Day.
Under the measure Bundespolizei officers may stop motorists, coach passengers and rail travellers at random to verify identity documents, travel plans or proof of funds. Although passports are not stamped, rail operators report average delays of 30 minutes when entire carriages are screened, and freight forwarders cite kilometre-long tailbacks.
Travellers unsure about which documents are currently accepted, or needing help replacing or renewing passports, visas or Czech residence permits, can streamline the process through VisaHQ’s Czech portal (https://www.visahq.com/czech-republic/). The platform provides up-to-date requirements, live customer support and expedited filing options—useful perks when changing border rules threaten to derail carefully planned journeys.
![Germany Extends Border Checks with Czechia Until 15 March 2026]()
The extension pushes Berlin to the six-month ceiling allowed under Article 25 of the Schengen Borders Code without special authorisation from Brussels. Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt argues the checks have cut irregular entries by 35 %, but logistics associations warn of rising costs and schedule disruptions.
For the roughly 37 000 Czech commuters who cross into Bavaria and Saxony daily, journey times have become less predictable. Employers should advise staff to carry passports—not just ID cards—and build 45 minutes of buffer into meetings. Holders of Czech residence cards are reminded that only the physical plastic card is accepted; digital copies on phones are not.
Brussels will revisit the issue in February, yet analysts see little chance of a rollback before German regional elections in March.
Under the measure Bundespolizei officers may stop motorists, coach passengers and rail travellers at random to verify identity documents, travel plans or proof of funds. Although passports are not stamped, rail operators report average delays of 30 minutes when entire carriages are screened, and freight forwarders cite kilometre-long tailbacks.
Travellers unsure about which documents are currently accepted, or needing help replacing or renewing passports, visas or Czech residence permits, can streamline the process through VisaHQ’s Czech portal (https://www.visahq.com/czech-republic/). The platform provides up-to-date requirements, live customer support and expedited filing options—useful perks when changing border rules threaten to derail carefully planned journeys.
The extension pushes Berlin to the six-month ceiling allowed under Article 25 of the Schengen Borders Code without special authorisation from Brussels. Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt argues the checks have cut irregular entries by 35 %, but logistics associations warn of rising costs and schedule disruptions.
For the roughly 37 000 Czech commuters who cross into Bavaria and Saxony daily, journey times have become less predictable. Employers should advise staff to carry passports—not just ID cards—and build 45 minutes of buffer into meetings. Holders of Czech residence cards are reminded that only the physical plastic card is accepted; digital copies on phones are not.
Brussels will revisit the issue in February, yet analysts see little chance of a rollback before German regional elections in March.
