Schengen Border Controls 2026: Reintroducing Border Checks

9/16/2026

Several Schengen countries have temporarily reintroduced controls at selected internal borders in response to security, migration, and public-order concerns. These measures are temporary and vary by country, with some applying to land borders while others cover air and sea crossings. The current notifications show that countries including Spain, Italy, Austria, Germany, Poland, Denmark, Sweden, France, Norway, and the Netherlands have introduced or extended temporary border controls during 2026.

Spain has temporarily reinstated controls at its internal air and sea borders with Italy from 23 September to 7 October 2026. The measure is linked to concerns over public policy, internal security, and the management of migration flows, including the possibility of secondary movements of third-country nationals within the Schengen Area. Italy has also introduced controls at its internal air and sea borders with Spain from 16 September to 1 October 2026, citing similar concerns following recent events in the Spanish autonomous city of Ceuta.

Germany and Austria have announced longer periods of temporary controls. Germany's measures run from 16 September 2026 to 15 March 2027 and cover its land borders with several neighboring countries, including France, Austria, Switzerland, Poland, and the Czech Republic. Germany cited irregular migration, migrant smuggling, pressure on the asylum system, and the wider international security situation. Austria's controls, also running until 15 March 2027, apply to selected land and river borders, including those with Slovakia, Czechia, Hungary, and Slovenia.

Other Schengen countries have introduced controls for different security and migration-related reasons. Poland has temporary controls at its land borders with Germany and Lithuania, while Denmark has controls at its border with Germany. Sweden's measures cover all internal land, air, and sea borders, with additional controls involving Denmark. France has temporary controls with several neighboring countries through 31 October 2026, citing security threats, irregular migration, smuggling networks, and the wider international security environment.

For travelers, these measures do not mean that the Schengen Area has been suspended or that travel between these countries is generally prohibited. However, travelers should be prepared for possible identity checks when crossing an affected internal border and should carry a valid passport and residence permit or visa, as applicable. Anyone planning a multi-country Schengen trip should also check the latest border-control notifications before traveling, particularly when crossing the specific borders listed in the temporary measures.

Source: European Commission Migration and Home Affairs