Border controls carried out by the Netherlands, Germany and seven other European countries must be phased out. That is the view of the European Commission. According to Brussels, the controls cause traffic delays, economic damage and disruptions to the free movement of people within the European Union.
In recent years, various Member States have reintroduced border controls to limit the influx of asylum seekers. The Netherlands began doing so in December 2024, whilst Germany had already introduced checks at various border crossings earlier. According to the European Commission, such measures are only permitted under exceptional circumstances and must not be used on a permanent basis.
Border controls have long been a major bottleneck for the logistics sector. Transport operators are particularly affected by daily traffic jams and waiting times at the German-Dutch border. Lorries lose valuable driving time and schedules come under pressure.
In addition, the congestion regularly leads to dangerous traffic situations. Traffic jams formed at various locations, unexpectedly backing up onto motorways, resulting in serious accidents. According to transport organisations, several fatalities have now been reported as a result.
For businesses that rely on international distribution, delays at the border can have a direct impact on delivery times, costs and customer satisfaction. Further information on international logistics solutions can be found on the page about road transport and intermodal transport.
Within the Schengen area, the principle of open borders applies. Member States may only introduce border controls on a temporary basis where there is an immediate threat to public order or security. According to the European Commission, the current situation in some countries has now gone on for too long.
Brussels points out that new European migration rules will come into force later this year. Furthermore, other forms of surveillance would be more effective. The Commission cites, among other things, mobile biometric checks and targeted police checks as alternatives to permanent border controls.
Although the European Commission is pushing for the phasing out of controls, this remains a recommendation for the time being. Member states ultimately decide for themselves how to handle border control within the framework of European regulations.
The Netherlands has now announced that it will end border controls as of 30 September. Germany has not yet announced any plans to do the same. This leaves uncertainty for hauliers who rely on the smooth flow of traffic between the two countries on a daily basis.
For the logistics sector, predictable and efficient border crossings remain essential. Any additional delay has consequences for supply chains, distribution networks and international trade flows within Europe.
…the Schengen Area consists of 29 European countries in which people and goods can normally travel without border controls?
Stay up to date with container traffic, terminal capacity and developments in inland waterway transport and sea freight. Sign up now: