As Europe marks 40 years since the creation of the Schengen Area, some member states are reintroducing internal border controls. Starting July 7, Poland has temporarily reinstated border checks with Germany and Lithuania. Though officially presented as an effort to tackle illegal migration, experts are sceptical that such measures will produce lasting results.
Checks begin, but travel plans unchanged
In the Polish town of Suwałki, Lithuanians going about their shopping and travel routines said the checks had not significantly disrupted their plans.
“We’re sticking to our schedule. The possibility of waiting in line does not scare us. We used to wait longer,” said Rasa Maraškevičienė from Kazlų Rūda.
At the Budzisko–Kalvarija crossing – one of three border points with round-the-clock checks – car queues appeared slightly longer than on the first day of enforcement. At ten other locations, checks are carried out selectively. Travellers reported being asked to show ID and open their car boots.
Many Lithuanians interviewed in Suwałki said they understood Poland’s move.
“Every country has the right to protect its interests. Nobody wants illegal migrants, and I think this is how it should be,” said Čivinskai family, Laimis and Loreta from Marijampolė.
According to LRT correspondent Laurynas Vaičiūnas, the measure is supported by the Polish public. But growing concern surrounds the emergence of right-wing “citizen patrols” along the German border – groups that have taken it upon themselves to monitor migrants, often bypassing authorities.
“There are fears these groups could spiral out of control, creating internal risks within Poland and tension with neighbouring countries, the EU,” said Vaičiūnas.
According to L. Vaičiūnas, members of these groups do not trust the state or the work of official border authorities.
The Polish government has pledged to remove these patrols by force if necessary, including issuing fines.
Checks in Germany
Border checks on the German side are not new. As LRT’s correspondent in Germany, Mindaugas Savickas, explains, Berlin introduced controls nearly two years ago and expanded them this May, driven in part by pressure from one of the ruling parties – the Christian Democratic Union of Germany, which had pledged to voters that it would bring irregular immigration under control.
“People without valid documents are now being turned back immediately. This was previously done only in exceptional cases – now it’s routine,” said Savickas, noting that public reaction in Germany has been largely supportive.
He pointed to the recent ordeal of an 18-year-old Afghan migrant stuck in limbo between the two countries: turned away by German police, pushed back by Polish nationalists, he was sent back and forth between Germany and Poland multiple times before eventually being relocated by German officers to a less contentious crossing point.
Not a political move, say ministers
Ahead of the reinforced checks, Lithuania’s and Poland’s interior ministers met and stressed the decision was not politically motivated.
“The main reason is illegal migration – a shared problem for Poland and Germany,” said Polish Interior Minister Tomasz Siemoniak. “It stems from the Belarusian regime’s strategy of pushing migrants into the EU via Lithuania, Latvia, and Poland. This measure is not aimed at Lithuanian citizens – they are always welcome in Poland.”
While Lithuania’s Interior Minister, Vladislav Kondratovič, acknowledged that the situation had created tension at the German–Polish border, as Germany cites high levels of secondary migration, he said, “these checks will help demonstrate that the Lithuanian corridor is not contributing to these flows,” he said.
Minister Siemoniak confirmed that the checks will continue beyond 5 August – unless Germany withdraws its own border controls.
Call for coordinated EU response
Vytautas Magnus University political scientist Andžejus Pukšto questioned whether border checks inside the Schengen Area can solve what he calls a much deeper issue.
“You don’t cure pneumonia with compresses,” he said. “What’s needed is a unified EU position – one that defends the integrity of Schengen and strengthens external borders. If internal checks are introduced, they must be short-term.”
Pukšto added that while it may be regrettable, the EU is likely heading toward a new “iron curtain” – particularly along borders with Russia and Belarus.
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