German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt confirmed to Bild on 16 February that the "temporary" checks re-introduced across all nine land borders—including the busy crossings with Czechia—will be prolonged by another six months, now running until at least 15 September 2026. The previous authorisation, notified to Brussels under Schengen-code safeguard clauses, was due to expire on 15 March.
The extension means federal police will continue to conduct spot inspections of cars, coaches and trains entering from Czech territory. Since controls were expanded to the Czech-German frontier in October 2023, rail operators on the Prague–Berlin EuroCity route have reported delays of up to 30 minutes when full carriages are screened, while logistics firms using the D5 (Rozvadov–Waidhaus) and D8 (Ústí nad Labem–Dresden) corridors warn of knock-on effects on just-in-time deliveries.
If you’re uncertain about which travel documents or visas might be required during the prolonged checks, VisaHQ can streamline the process. Their online portal for Czech residents (https://www.visahq.com/czech-republic/) offers up-to-date guidance on Schengen entry rules, customised document checklists, and expedited visa services—particularly valuable for companies coordinating frequent trips across the Czech-German border.
![Germany extends border controls with Czechia and other neighbours until 15 September]()
Berlin argues that the measure is necessary to curb irregular migration and cross-border crime, but critics note that it undermines Schengen’s principle of free movement. The European Commission is expected to question the proportionality of the decision, yet analysts doubt a rollback before Germany’s regional elections in September.
For Czech businesses the practical impact is extra time and paperwork. Travel-management companies advise allowing at least 45 minutes buffer on itineraries and carrying original work contracts or invitation letters. Holders of Czech biometric residence cards should note that plastic cards are accepted as ID, but digital copies on smartphones are not.
HR and mobility teams with assignees commuting to Bavarian plants should review cross-border allowances and communicate the continued need for physical documents. Road-haulage managers may want to reroute sensitive shipments through less busy night-time slots or via Poland, though that border has also faced stepped-up checks since 2024.
The extension means federal police will continue to conduct spot inspections of cars, coaches and trains entering from Czech territory. Since controls were expanded to the Czech-German frontier in October 2023, rail operators on the Prague–Berlin EuroCity route have reported delays of up to 30 minutes when full carriages are screened, while logistics firms using the D5 (Rozvadov–Waidhaus) and D8 (Ústí nad Labem–Dresden) corridors warn of knock-on effects on just-in-time deliveries.
If you’re uncertain about which travel documents or visas might be required during the prolonged checks, VisaHQ can streamline the process. Their online portal for Czech residents (https://www.visahq.com/czech-republic/) offers up-to-date guidance on Schengen entry rules, customised document checklists, and expedited visa services—particularly valuable for companies coordinating frequent trips across the Czech-German border.
Berlin argues that the measure is necessary to curb irregular migration and cross-border crime, but critics note that it undermines Schengen’s principle of free movement. The European Commission is expected to question the proportionality of the decision, yet analysts doubt a rollback before Germany’s regional elections in September.
For Czech businesses the practical impact is extra time and paperwork. Travel-management companies advise allowing at least 45 minutes buffer on itineraries and carrying original work contracts or invitation letters. Holders of Czech biometric residence cards should note that plastic cards are accepted as ID, but digital copies on smartphones are not.
HR and mobility teams with assignees commuting to Bavarian plants should review cross-border allowances and communicate the continued need for physical documents. Road-haulage managers may want to reroute sensitive shipments through less busy night-time slots or via Poland, though that border has also faced stepped-up checks since 2024.
