Poland Extends Border Controls with Germany Until April 2026
Poland has extended its border controls with Germany until April 2026 due to rising illegal migration.
- • Poland's border controls extended until April 2026
- • Nearly 25,000 illegal crossings recorded in 2025
- • Over 2,100 apprehensions of migrants heading to Germany
- • Decrease in asylum applications in Germany noted
Key details
Poland has officially extended its temporary border controls with Germany until April 4, 2026, in response to increasing challenges related to migration and illegal crossings. The decision, announced by Polish Interior Minister Marcin Kierwinski, aims to manage and monitor the migration route from the Baltic states through Poland to Western Europe, particularly in light of significant illegal entry attempts in recent months.
In the first eight months of 2025 alone, Poland recorded nearly 25,000 illegal border crossings, with over 2,100 individuals apprehended while trying to cross into Germany. These new enforcement measures come in the wake of sporadic checks introduced by Germany since October 2023, which have intensified scrutiny on irregular migration, according to multiple reports.
The Polish government has cited concerns over human trafficking and illegal migration as primary drivers behind this extension. The ongoing conflict and instability in neighboring regions continue to escalate the inflow of migrants, necessitating stricter border controls. Additionally, there has been pressure from far-right civic groups in Poland, which are reportedly taking independent action against illegal migrants, contributing to the push for these stringent border policies.
Interestingly, while Poland tightens its borders, a decrease in asylum applications in Germany has been noted. In September 2025, applications fell to just over 9,000, a sharp decline from approximately 18,000 in the same month the previous year. According to the EU Asylum Agency, this trend could be linked to broader international changes, including shifts in geopolitics within Syria.
The maintenance of border controls illustrates a complex interplay between managing national security concerns and addressing humanitarian issues surrounding migration. Moving forward, Poland's actions will likely continue to influence bilateral relations with Germany and shape the broader EU migration landscape as both countries contend with the ramifications of these migration pressures.