Germany announced that it would continue border controls
Germany plans to continue border controls with neighboring countries after September. Officials in Berlin cite the need to curb illegal migration as the reason, and point to the situation in the Spanish enclave of Ceuta as one of the factors.
German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt stated that the country intends to continue maintaining border controls with neighboring states. According to him, this step is necessary to combat illegal migration, and the events in the Spanish enclave of Ceuta only confirm the need for such measures.
Dobrindt noted that the current control regime will remain in effect after September. At the same time, he did not specify for how long it is planned to be extended. “We will continue to have the option of applying internal border controls after September. Our successes in curbing illegal migration must be preserved and expanded,” the minister stated.
According to Dobrindt, the events in Ceuta demonstrate how quickly the situation regarding illegal migration can change. “The situation in Ceuta illustrates the volatile nature of illegal migration,” he emphasized.
The Interior Minister also called on the Spanish authorities to strengthen security at the European Union’s external borders and expedite the return of illegal migrants to Morocco. “It is necessary to ensure the protection of Europe’s external borders and the prompt return of illegal migrants to Morocco,” Dobrindt noted.
As a reminder, Germany reinstated border controls with neighboring countries on September 16, 2024. This decision was made at the time by Interior Minister Nancy Feather, who explained that it was necessary to limit the flow of illegal migration. Despite criticism from some European politicians and the European Commission, Berlin has already extended these measures three times. They are currently in effect until mid-September 2026.
Dobrindt’s statement came against the backdrop of the migration crisis in the Spanish enclave of Ceuta. The German minister cited the situation there as one example of why EU countries must continue to pay special attention to the security of their borders. This was reported by Die Zeit.
The German federal government has approved a bill that establishes the legal framework for the use of artificial intelligence by immigration authorities. The new technologies are expected to help speed up the processing of asylum applications and the issuance of residence permits, though final decisions will remain with officials.
