The German interior ministry confirmed at the weekend that temporary border controls on the 204-kilometre frontier with Belgium will be prolonged until at least September 2026, citing continued pressure from irregular migration. Random passport checks were first re-introduced in September 2024 and have been rolled over every six months since, but Belgian officials say this is the longest continuous suspension of passport-free travel on that stretch of Schengen internal border since the zone was created. (brusselstimes.com)
According to data reported by Bild and relayed by The Brussels Times, 46,426 travellers have been turned back at the German-Belgian boundary since the controls began. While freight traffic has largely adapted to the spot-checks, commuters in the East Cantons complain of delays that can add 30–45 minutes to daily journeys. Oliver Paasch, Minister-President of Belgium’s German-speaking community, warned that the extension hurts cross-border labour mobility and local retail trade. (brusselstimes.com)
![Germany extends border checks with Belgium for six more months, testing Schengen rules]()
For travellers who suddenly face new paperwork demands or need a passport renewal on short notice, VisaHQ can step in to streamline the process. The company’s Belgium portal (https://www.visahq.com/belgium/) offers fast-track passport services, visa procurement and real-time updates on entry requirements—support that can be invaluable when rules at the German border keep shifting.
Under Schengen rules, internal checks should be a last-resort, time-limited measure. Brussels has asked Berlin to justify the prolongation; EU Commission officials say they have been “formally notified” but will scrutinise whether the necessity and proportionality criteria are still met. Legal scholars note that the European Court of Justice has signalled a tougher stance on indefinite extensions, raising the risk of infringement proceedings later this year. (brusselstimes.com)
For Belgian employers who rely on German resident workers—and vice-versa—the extra controls mean continued uncertainty over commute times and possible ID inspections. Mobility advisors recommend that cross-border staff carry passports, residence permits and proof of employment to avoid refusals, and that logistics firms build extra slack into delivery schedules until at least autumn. (brusselstimes.com)
According to data reported by Bild and relayed by The Brussels Times, 46,426 travellers have been turned back at the German-Belgian boundary since the controls began. While freight traffic has largely adapted to the spot-checks, commuters in the East Cantons complain of delays that can add 30–45 minutes to daily journeys. Oliver Paasch, Minister-President of Belgium’s German-speaking community, warned that the extension hurts cross-border labour mobility and local retail trade. (brusselstimes.com)
For travellers who suddenly face new paperwork demands or need a passport renewal on short notice, VisaHQ can step in to streamline the process. The company’s Belgium portal (https://www.visahq.com/belgium/) offers fast-track passport services, visa procurement and real-time updates on entry requirements—support that can be invaluable when rules at the German border keep shifting.
Under Schengen rules, internal checks should be a last-resort, time-limited measure. Brussels has asked Berlin to justify the prolongation; EU Commission officials say they have been “formally notified” but will scrutinise whether the necessity and proportionality criteria are still met. Legal scholars note that the European Court of Justice has signalled a tougher stance on indefinite extensions, raising the risk of infringement proceedings later this year. (brusselstimes.com)
For Belgian employers who rely on German resident workers—and vice-versa—the extra controls mean continued uncertainty over commute times and possible ID inspections. Mobility advisors recommend that cross-border staff carry passports, residence permits and proof of employment to avoid refusals, and that logistics firms build extra slack into delivery schedules until at least autumn. (brusselstimes.com)
