Full Breakdown
Germany Defends Border Checks Amid EU Phase-out Push
6/5/2026, 11:46:59 PM
German Minister Rejects EU Call to End Checks
On Thursday, German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt told reporters at an EU interior-ministers meeting in Luxembourg that Germany will not drop its internal border checks. He said the controls remain necessary to curb illegal migration and protect security, rejecting the European Commission’s request that Germany phase them out.
EU Commission’s Call to Lift Checks and Actors
The European Commission this week urged Austria, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, non-EU Norway, Slovenia and Sweden to gradually lift internal border checks, citing falling illegal-migration numbers, a new returns regulation and stronger external border protection. Poland was not asked to lift its checks.
Official Statements
Dobrindt said Germany’s checks are “working” and “remain necessary,” urging a support mechanism for migrant-receiving states and “significant improvement” of border protection. Brunner countered that illegal-migration numbers are declining, reforms are complete and external borders are better protected, calling it “right time to gradually phase out these border controls.” Gloden welcomed pressure but noted it arrived “nine months late” and that no clear deadline has been set for lifting the controls.
Criticism & Gaps
The Commission’s stance directly opposes Germany’s, arguing that internal checks are no longer justified. Luxembourg lodged a formal complaint against Germany’s continued checks last year. Poland’s deputy minister Duszczyk warned that reducing checks would be “strongly politicized” and difficult to achieve. Germany points to ongoing seizures of smuggling gangs as evidence of effectiveness, while the Commission cites overall migration declines without providing specific metrics. The timeline for the proposed support mechanism for migrant-receiving states remains unspecified.
Quotes
- “The significant number of pushback, illegal migration, the seizure of smuggling gangs, all of this shows how effective these border roles are and that is why we want to continue them.” — Alexander Dobrindt, German Interior Minister
- “[Illegal migration] numbers … are going down. We’re on the right track. The reforms have been done. The external borders are better protected. The returns regulation has been decided. … It’s the right time to gradually phase out these border controls.” — Magnus Brunner, EU Commissioner for Home Affairs
- “All the member states that have spoken today have strongly emphasized that the functioning of the Schengen Area is one of the EU’s most important tasks.” — Maciej Duszczyk, Polish Deputy Interior Minister
- “The move came nine months late and countries have not given a clear deadline towards lifting said controls.” — Léon Gloden, Luxembourg Home Affairs Minister
Next Steps
EU interior ministers will reconvene in Luxembourg later this month to discuss the external-border support mechanism and assess whether Germany will adjust its stance on internal checks.
