Germany Tightens Border Controls – Drivers Should Expect Delays

The new German federal government, following the announcements of Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt, is introducing even stricter controls at national borders, including crossings with Poland, the Czech Republic, Austria, and many other neighboring countries. These measures aim to reduce the number of illegal entries into Germany.

Permanent and Mobile Border Controls – List of Affected Countries

Temporary border checks at Germany's land borders were reinstated on September 16, 2024, and remain in place until further notice. Currently, these controls cover the borders with Austria (in place continuously since 2015), Poland, Czechia (since October 2023), as well as France, Denmark, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg.

Some of these crossings – for example, the Saalbrücke bridge in Freilassing at the Austrian border – have been re-equipped with permanent checkpoints. On busy routes like the A8 motorway between Munich and Salzburg, intensified checks have been in place for some time. The Bavarian federal police have assured that these operations will be conducted in a way that minimizes disruption, but travelers are likely to feel the impact.

Impact on Drivers and Carriers

For road carriers and professional drivers, this means one thing – they must prepare for extended travel times and potential delays in fulfilling transport orders. The most significant traffic jams and queues regularly form at borders with Austria, Czechia, Poland, and Switzerland, especially at major motorway crossings:

❌ Austria: Suben (A3), Walserberg (A8), Kiefersfelden (A93) – peak wait times can exceed 30 minutes.
❌ Poland: A12 at the Frankfurt (Oder) crossing (on the Polish side – A2).
❌ Czechia: Increased checks on A17 (Prague–Dresden), possible queues at crossings: Breitenau-Schönwald, Selb, Schirnding, Waidhaus.
❌ Switzerland: Delays at Basel, Weil am Rhein (A5), Kreuzlingen-Konstanz.

Exit Checks and Neighboring Countries’ Measures

In response to international developments, Germany's neighboring countries have also reinstated border checks for entries from German territory:

❌ Denmark: Reintroduced border checks for arrivals from Germany on October 6, 2024.
❌ France: Imposed temporary controls on all land borders, including with Germany, from November 2024, officially due to the threat of terrorism and smuggling.
❌ Netherlands: Since December 2024, mobile checks aimed at minimizing the impact on freight transport.
❌ Austria and Czechia: Random checks during specific occasions.
❌ Additionally, despite being part of the Schengen area, Switzerland still maintains customs checks, which can be burdensome for freight transport.