Europe’s Open-Border Agreement Faces New Challenges as Key Countries Reintroduce Checks

Italy, France, and Germany, three of Europe’s most influential nations, have reintroduced border checks, raising concerns about the Schengen Area’s future. This development challenges the principle of free movement, a cornerstone of the Schengen Agreement, which allows individuals to cross borders without checks.

Yet, the Schengen Borders Code (SBC) provides Member States with a legal framework to temporarily reinstate border controls under specific circumstances. Such measures are permitted when there is a serious threat to national security or public policy. Common justifications include irregular migration, cross-border crime, and terrorism.

These European countries’ decision to reintroduce border checks may undermine trust in the Schengen Area’s stability and effectiveness. As these actions challenge one of the EU’s most tangible achievements, the question remains: Can the Schengen Area withstand these pressures, or is its integrity at risk?

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Table of Contents

Italy

In October 2023, Italy reintroduced border checks along its Slovenian border. The initial reinstatement of border controls was only supposed to last ten days. However, checks at the border have been continuously reinstated and extended and are now expected to continue into 2025.

We traveled by train from Brussels to Northern Italy for the fall break, and on our way back, our passports were checked in Italy, Austria, Germany, and Belgium,” shares Merit Olthoff, lawyer.

According to Schengen News, Italy’s border checks were initially expected to end on December 18th, 2024, but could now be extended a further six months. Italy’s main reasons for reinstating border checks include increased migratory pressure, the risk of terrorist infiltration, and violence related to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Between January and September 2024, the Central Mediterranean route, which includes Italy, saw 47,000 irregular entry attempts.

The Netherlands

The Netherlands is one of the latest European countries to reintroduce border checks. On November 11th, 2024, the Netherlands notified the European Parliament of its plans to reinstate land border checks at its borders with Belgium and Germany. They also announced tighter controls at the country’s airports.

The Dutch government cited a national security threat from irregular migration and migrant smuggling as the reason for reintroducing border controls. It also claims that the Netherlands asylum system risks disruption due to capacity issues and a lack of available housing.

In 2023, nearly 49,000 asylum seekers and following relatives entered the Netherlands. The new controls are implemented as of December 9th for an initial six months.

Austria

In 2024, Austria announced the reintroduction of border checks on two occasions. The Austrian government temporarily reinstated border controls with Slovakia and the Czech Republic on the first occasion. From October 16th, 2024, until April 15th, 2025, border crossing between Austria and its neighbors will only be permitted at designated crossing points.

In November 2024, the Austrian government also announced an extension of its border controls with Slovenia and Hungary. Austria has extended the restrictions on and off between the two countries since 2015. This latest extension will see tighter border controls between November 12th, 2024, and May 2025.

Irregular migration, an increased terrorism threat, and violence in the Middle East and Eastern Europe are responsible for the reintroduction of these border checks.

France

In November 2024, France became one of the latest Schengen countries to initiate border controls with its neighboring countries. From November 1st, France implemented controls at its borders with Belgium, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Spain, and Switzerland.

The latest border controls will be in place until April 30th, 2025. However, France has been maintaining checks on its internal borders since 2015. The last reintroduction of France’s border checks was supposed to end in October 2024.

“We took the train from Brussels to Paris, expecting a smooth journey, but we were surprised when our passports were checked not just once but twice during the trip,” said Stathis Konidaris, an accountant. “It’s unusual for such checks within the Schengen area, and it made us question if this is becoming the new norm for travel.”

France’s primary concerns are irregular migration and increased terrorism threats. While the reinstatement of border controls has proven effective, travelers entering France via its neighboring countries have been warned to expect long delays.

Germany

According to the European Commission, Germany announced the temporary reintroduction of border controls on three separate occasions in 2024. In September, the German government revealed plans to reinstate border checks at all land crossings on its nine borders. The border controls will be in place for at least six months.

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Some of the countries impacted by this reinstatement are Belgium, France, the Netherlands, and Denmark. Meanwhile, Germany’s border with Austria has experienced tighter border controls since 2015. New border controls were also implemented at Germany’s border with Poland and the Czech Republic in 2023.

Germany has reintroduced border checks to tackle cross-border crime and curb migration. Rows of German border police have been spotted carrying out checks at border crossings.

Norway

Norway introduced temporary border checks in October 2024. The move to reinstate border controls with other Western European nations comes after the Scandinavian nation raised its terror threat level. The main reason cited for reintroducing border checks is an increased terrorist threat, particularly against Israeli and Jewish targets in Norway.

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Violence related to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is another potential threat Norway faces. The initial reinstatement of border controls was supposed to end on October 22nd. However, it was extended until November 11th. On November 8th, it was announced border controls would stay in place until at least December 1st, 2024. Border controls will only be lifted once the threat level is reduced.

Sweden

In October 2024, Sweden announced that it would be extending its temporary border controls until May 11th, 2025. Initially, the reinstatement of border checks was supposed to end on May 11th, 2024. Sweden took action to improve the security measures at its borders.

The decision impacts Sweden’s land, air, and sea borders. The reasons for reintroducing border checks in Sweden relate to serious threats to public order and national security. Recent terrorism-related events and serious crime have also raised the alarm.

In 2023, the Swedish government raised the nation’s terror threat level to its second-highest level following the thwarting of planned terror attacks.

Slovenia

Slovenia first reintroduced border checks at its borders with Croatia and Hungary on October 21st, 2023. At the time, the reasons cited for reinstating police controls at the border included the increased threat of terrorism and the deteriorating security situation in the Middle East.

Since then, Slovenia’s temporary border controls have been extended multiple times, the latest on November 21st, 2024. On November 21st, the Slovenian government announced that its internal border controls would stay in place for another six months. This latest extension will see tighter border checks at Slovenia’s borders until June 21st, 2025.

Slovenia’s Government Communication Office cited an elevated terrorism threat as responsible for the latest extension.

Denmark

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In the summer of 2023, the European Union investigated Denmark for allegedly continually extending temporary controls from 2016 onwards. However, that didn’t stop the Scandinavian country from extending its border controls with Germany.

Denmark’s temporary border checks have been continuously extended in the last two years to increase the country’s security. The latest extension came in November when border controls were extended for another six months. This latest border control is in place from November 12th, 2024, to May 11th, 2025.

The Danish Ministry of the Interior has cited various reasons for continuing stricter border checks at Denmark’s border. Reasons include terror-related incidents, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, organized crime, and armed conflicts in the Middle East and Africa.

Estonia

In August 2024, Estonia announced full customs controls along its border with Russia. Reinstated on August 8th, this announcement means anyone crossing the Estonia-Russia border at Narva, Koidula, and Luhamaa will be subject to a full security check. Previously, inspections were carried out randomly at the border.

As expected, these tighter security checks have increased waiting times at the border. Travelers should expect longer queues and delays. Besides increasing Estonia’s security and safety, border controls were reinstated to stop the flow of sanctioned goods through Estonia into Russia.

According to Estonia’s Prime Minister, Kristen Michal, attempts have already been made to avoid sanctions and transport goods through Estonia.