Berlin has confirmed that temporary checks at Germany’s land borders—including crossings from France—will run for another six months, now set to expire on 15 September 2026. The decision, announced on 20 February after EU consultation, cites the need to curb unauthorised entries; German police say 67,000 irregular arrivals were intercepted between September 2024 and December 2025.
For travellers, this means that anyone driving or taking a train from Alsace, Lorraine or the Rhine region into Germany should continue to expect ID spot-checks, even though both countries belong to the Schengen zone. Business travellers must carry passports or EU ID cards and, if non-EU, evidence of legal stay in the Schengen area; manual stamps are still in use until the delayed Entry/Exit System goes live.
![Germany extends internal-EU border checks—French land routes affected]()
French authorities already operate their own internal-border controls and are likely to request a parallel extension beyond the current 30 April deadline. Transport operators say the impact on timetables is limited—border stops typically add 5-10 minutes—but advisors warn of occasional delays to cross-border commuter trains and corporate shuttles.
If you find the evolving requirements confusing, VisaHQ can streamline the process by verifying whether you need any additional documentation and by arranging fast-track courier services for passport renewals or extra visas—particularly helpful for non-EU residents juggling multiple assignments. Check their France gateway at https://www.visahq.com/france/ for up-to-date guidance on Schengen compliance and other travel paperwork.
The extension underscores a broader trend of ‘temporary’ Schengen controls becoming semi-permanent. HR departments should remind staff on regional assignments to travel with valid documentation and allow extra buffer when scheduling meetings across the Rhine.
For travellers, this means that anyone driving or taking a train from Alsace, Lorraine or the Rhine region into Germany should continue to expect ID spot-checks, even though both countries belong to the Schengen zone. Business travellers must carry passports or EU ID cards and, if non-EU, evidence of legal stay in the Schengen area; manual stamps are still in use until the delayed Entry/Exit System goes live.
French authorities already operate their own internal-border controls and are likely to request a parallel extension beyond the current 30 April deadline. Transport operators say the impact on timetables is limited—border stops typically add 5-10 minutes—but advisors warn of occasional delays to cross-border commuter trains and corporate shuttles.
If you find the evolving requirements confusing, VisaHQ can streamline the process by verifying whether you need any additional documentation and by arranging fast-track courier services for passport renewals or extra visas—particularly helpful for non-EU residents juggling multiple assignments. Check their France gateway at https://www.visahq.com/france/ for up-to-date guidance on Schengen compliance and other travel paperwork.
The extension underscores a broader trend of ‘temporary’ Schengen controls becoming semi-permanent. HR departments should remind staff on regional assignments to travel with valid documentation and allow extra buffer when scheduling meetings across the Rhine.
