Poland has extended its border controls with Germany until April 2026 to address the rising number of illegal crossings, with controls also continuing at the border with Lithuania.

The primary goal of these measures is to monitor migration routes and combat smuggling, especially along the Belarus route, which has seen approximately 25,000 attempted illegal crossings in the past eight months.

Polish authorities have reported over 2,100 arrests of individuals attempting to cross illegally from Belarus into Poland, including nearly 550 foreigners who had already crossed the Polish-Belarusian border.

The extension of border controls, initially introduced temporarily in July 2025, depends on decisions made by the German government, with Poland indicating that the end date is subject to their approval.

The measures are a response to increasing undocumented migration and are aimed at preventing illegal entry and smuggling.

Border checks typically involve presenting ID or passports, with occasional detailed inspections during spot checks.

While Schengen rules generally prohibit internal border controls, exceptions are permitted temporarily during threats to public security, provided proper notification and approval are obtained from the EU Commission.

Germany had reinforced border controls with all nine neighboring countries by May 2025, resulting in about 12,000 people being turned back by August, some of whom were later deemed unlawfully rejected by courts.

German officials defend their border policies citing a decrease in asylum applications and warn that strong anti-immigration sentiments could influence voter support for parties like the AfD.

The intensified border controls in Germany have led to approximately 2.7 million overtime hours for the Federal Police by August, reflecting the significant resource commitment.

Despite legal challenges and court rulings declaring some measures unlawful, Germany's Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt plans to extend border controls, maintaining that they are necessary for security.

Border enforcement in Germany is concentrated at specific locations such as Hintersee, Pomerania, and Linken, involving border security, police, and military police.

In the summer, Polish authorities faced pressure from right-wing citizen patrols conducting independent searches for illegal migrants and accusing Germany of deporting refugees to Poland, though these activities have since decreased.