German interior minister Alexander Dobrindt confirmed in an interview with Bild that the temporary controls on the Polish–German land border will be extended for another six months from 15 March 2026. The checks, first introduced in October 2023 to curb irregular migration, were due to lapse next month but will now run at least until 15 September. (se.pl)
Although the measure is taken by Germany, it directly affects thousands of commuters, lorry drivers and business travellers who cross daily between Słubice/Frankfurt (Oder), Świecko and other popular crossings. Travellers must continue to carry a valid passport or national ID card and allow extra time for spot inspections that can generate queues of up to 45 minutes at peak hours. Rail operators Polregio and Deutsche Bahn have warned that random on-board checks may delay EC and regional services.
For travellers who find the shifting requirements confusing, VisaHQ offers an easy way to verify and obtain any visas or travel documents needed for Poland, Germany and the wider Schengen zone. Their online portal (https://www.visahq.com/poland/) walks you through current regulations, lets you apply in minutes and provides live support—useful backup when border rules can change overnight.
![Germany prolongs Schengen border checks with Poland until mid-September, sparking business-travel concerns]()
Polish logistics firms say the decision undermines the very purpose of the Schengen area. “Every extra stop means higher fuel costs and disrupted delivery windows,” notes Rafał Kowalczyk, operations director at a Poznań-based transport company specialising in just-in-time automotive components. According to the West Pomeranian Employers’ Association, the 2025 controls already added an estimated PLN 120 million (€28 million) to annual trade-flow costs.
Berlin insists the extension is legal: Article 25 of the Schengen Borders Code allows internal controls when a serious threat to public policy or internal security persists. Yet Brussels has repeatedly urged member states to use the tool only as a “last resort” and to apply risk-based, proportionate checks. The European Commission is expected to examine Germany’s notification next week; if it finds the justification weak, it could issue a recommendation to shorten the period.
For multinationals with operations on both sides of the Oder, contingency planning is advised. Best practices include providing drivers with bilingual letters explaining the critical nature of deliveries, scheduling cross-border meetings outside peak commuter windows and building at least a 60-minute buffer into door-to-door itineraries for executives flying into Berlin or Poznań and continuing by road.
Although the measure is taken by Germany, it directly affects thousands of commuters, lorry drivers and business travellers who cross daily between Słubice/Frankfurt (Oder), Świecko and other popular crossings. Travellers must continue to carry a valid passport or national ID card and allow extra time for spot inspections that can generate queues of up to 45 minutes at peak hours. Rail operators Polregio and Deutsche Bahn have warned that random on-board checks may delay EC and regional services.
For travellers who find the shifting requirements confusing, VisaHQ offers an easy way to verify and obtain any visas or travel documents needed for Poland, Germany and the wider Schengen zone. Their online portal (https://www.visahq.com/poland/) walks you through current regulations, lets you apply in minutes and provides live support—useful backup when border rules can change overnight.
Polish logistics firms say the decision undermines the very purpose of the Schengen area. “Every extra stop means higher fuel costs and disrupted delivery windows,” notes Rafał Kowalczyk, operations director at a Poznań-based transport company specialising in just-in-time automotive components. According to the West Pomeranian Employers’ Association, the 2025 controls already added an estimated PLN 120 million (€28 million) to annual trade-flow costs.
Berlin insists the extension is legal: Article 25 of the Schengen Borders Code allows internal controls when a serious threat to public policy or internal security persists. Yet Brussels has repeatedly urged member states to use the tool only as a “last resort” and to apply risk-based, proportionate checks. The European Commission is expected to examine Germany’s notification next week; if it finds the justification weak, it could issue a recommendation to shorten the period.
For multinationals with operations on both sides of the Oder, contingency planning is advised. Best practices include providing drivers with bilingual letters explaining the critical nature of deliveries, scheduling cross-border meetings outside peak commuter windows and building at least a 60-minute buffer into door-to-door itineraries for executives flying into Berlin or Poznań and continuing by road.
