Germany will extend border controls for another six months, Minister of the Interior Alexander Dobrindt announced to the German newspaper Bild, prolonging disruptions for travelers and raising concerns among Dutch border communities.
The extension, set to last until September, maintains random checks at the border with the Netherlands, a measure initially implemented in September 2024. German authorities state the controls are necessary to combat illegal migration, a justification repeated as the measures have been repeatedly renewed. Since the introduction of the checks, police have reportedly denied entry to 46,426 individuals, according to German authorities.
The decision requires formal notification to the European Commission, as such measures within the Schengen Area are permitted only in exceptional circumstances. Bild reported that Germany has submitted the required notification.
The continued controls are already impacting traffic flow. In the Dutch province of Drenthe, the ANWB, the Dutch automobile association, reported an 85 percent increase in congestion on the A37 near Zwartemeer in 2025, directly attributed to the border checks. The increased delays are particularly noticeable at major crossings like Subpar Nieuweschans, where drivers are diverted from the highway to pass through police checkpoints.
Dutch border communities are as well facing financial implications. Details regarding the costs incurred by these communities have not been released, but the extension of the controls suggests ongoing financial burdens.
The extension comes despite criticism from some quarters, with some observers characterizing the move as “German obstinacy.” The Dutch government has not yet issued a formal response to the latest extension.
