Europe is bracing for a wave of renewed internal border checks as multiple EU nations signal the re-imposition of controls inside the Schengen Area—marking a significant shift in a region once proud of its passport-free travel.
A Fortress Europe in the Making?
From scenic alpine passes in Austria to the quiet forest crossings of Finland, Europe’s seamless travel tradition is about to be disrupted. In response to growing security threats, migration pressures, and geopolitical tensions, at least seven European countries have already issued notifications to the European Commission that they plan to reinstate internal border controls (Cite) temporarily in 2025—and more may follow.
Governments are citing concerns such as:
- Increased irregular migration via the Balkan and Mediterranean routes
- Smuggling and trafficking networks
- Terrorism threats
- Public unrest and large-scale protests
- Geopolitical tensions involving Russia, Belarus, and the Middle East
These developments, while permitted under the Schengen Borders Code, are reigniting fierce debates over freedom of movement, the future of Schengen, and what “a borderless Europe” truly means in today’s climate (Cite).
Who’s Reinstituting Border Controls in 2025?
As of late April 2025, the following European countries have already notified their intent or are actively operating border controls within the Schengen zone:
- Austria: Border checks with Slovenia and Hungary due to increased migrant crossings and trafficking activity.
- Germany: Enhanced surveillance along the Polish and Czech borders to combat unauthorized migration and arms trafficking.
- France: Extended controls at borders with Belgium, Spain, and Italy, citing persistent terrorist threats and civil unrest.
- Denmark: Continuing controls at the German border, citing cross-border crime and migration pressures.
- Sweden: Internal checks tied to recent security alerts and regional criminal activity.
- Norway: Border controls reintroduced at ports of entry for security reasons, particularly concerning ferry travel.
- Finland: Toughened border regime with Russia, citing national security threats.
These internal border checks may include vehicle inspections, identity verifications, mobile patrol units, and even temporary closures of low-traffic crossing points (ref).
A Legal Loophole or a Growing Trend?
Under the Schengen Borders Code, member states can reintroduce temporary border controls in the event of a serious threat to public policy or internal security—but only for a limited duration. Yet over the past few years, many states have repeatedly extended these measures, drawing criticism from civil liberties groups and EU institutions.
In 2023 and 2024, the European Court of Justice ruled that continuous border checks beyond legal limits without fresh justifications violate EU law. Despite that, many governments have found workarounds—declaring “new” threats every few months to reset the timeline.
The Bigger Picture: Is the Schengen Dream Fading?
While the EU works on revising migration rules and deploying new digital border security systems like ETIAS and EES, the reintroduction of border controls threatens to undermine decades of integration.
Tourism, trade, student mobility, and cross-border workers will likely feel the pinch in the coming months—especially in border regions where daily life often spans two or more countries.
But the tension runs deeper. With elections looming across Europe and populist parties gaining ground, politicians are under pressure to appear tough on migration and national security. That means more border guards, not fewer, at least in the short term.
