The reintroduction of border checks by several European Union (EU) countries in late 2024 has caused significant disruptions to daily life for millions of citizens and businesses that rely on open borders.
The decision, taken by nations including Austria, Bulgaria, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Norway, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Slovenia, has been met with frustration and concern, especially in border regions where cross-border travel is a routine part of life.
The move challenges the principles of the Schengen Agreement, a cornerstone of the EU that allows for the free movement of people and goods between member states.
For the 150 million people living in border regions — nearly 30% of the EU population — the reimposition of checks has brought delays, economic disadvantages, and a strain on social cohesion.
“When more countries started announcing this measure, we felt sad and very frustrated,” said Martín Guillermo Ramírez, Secretary General of the Association of European Border Regions (AEBR), in an interview with The Brussels Times.
Ramírez emphasized the profound impact on residents who cross borders daily for work, education, and shopping. In some areas, delays now range from five to 30 minutes, significantly affecting those accustomed to seamless travel.
Michael Dejozé, director of Euregio Maas-Rhein — an area spanning parts of Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany — echoed these concerns.
“We are struggling with the decision of border controls,” she stated, highlighting the interruptions to long-standing cross-border cooperation initiatives. The checks have also disrupted governance processes, stalling decision-making between regions.
The reintroduction of border controls, according to EU regulations, should be a last resort in response to serious threats to public order or internal security.
Most of the countries reinstating these checks have cited concerns about irregular immigration and strains on their asylum systems. Denmark, for instance, has maintained checks on its border with Germany since 2014, pointing to security threats as the rationale.
However, Ramírez argued that these measures seem more politically motivated than effective. “We see that this measure is not being introduced as a last resort solution but that countries facing problems internally rely on it as an expeditious answer,” he said.
He pointed to Germany as an example, where border checks were reinstated under pressure from far-right factions but failed to prevent subsequent security incidents.
Border region organizations have called for the EU to explore alternative solutions that do not impede the flow of people and goods. Proposals include shifting checks to more strategic locations and implementing electronic systems that reduce the need for physical stops.
Additionally, these groups have urged reforms to the Schengen Code to prevent unilateral decisions by member states on border controls.
A European Commission spokesperson stated that the Commission is in close dialogue with member states to mitigate the impact on the millions of Europeans who cross internal borders daily for work or personal reasons.
They emphasized that where checks are deemed necessary, measures must be taken to minimize disruption.
Despite the challenges, Ramírez remains cautiously optimistic. “We are now closing on a crisis momentum which will force the EU to react,” he said, expressing hope that the crisis could ultimately lead to a more unified approach to external protection and internal integration. For now, however, uncertainty looms for border communities who fear that the temporary checks may become a lasting reality.
