Poland will temporarily reinstate border checks with Germany and Lithuania starting Monday, July 7th, in response to rising concerns over irregular migration and cross-border security. The announcement was made by Prime Minister Donald Tusk on Tuesday, July 1st, following recommendations from the country’s Border Guard and mounting pressure along the affected borders.
The move follows reports of migrants entering Poland through Lithuania and unconfirmed claims that German authorities have returned asylum seekers to Polish territory. Tusk noted the government’s decision was based on recent briefings about the security situation. He emphasized the need to act in light of the current flow of migrants, particularly from the Lithuanian side.
Tusk emphasized that Poland had already notified Germany about the possibility of reinstating checks “if there are cases that we see as doubtful.”
The announcement adds to a growing list of internal border controls within the Schengen Area. Germany had already reinforced its own borders last year and began turning back irregular arrivals, including asylum seekers, after Chancellor Friedrich Merz took office in May. Merz campaigned on a platform of stricter migration controls and extended earlier border checks imposed by his predecessor.
Merz addressed concerns from neighboring countries on Monday, asserting that reports of systematic migrant returns to Poland were inaccurate. “This is not the case, there are no such cases,” he stated, rejecting the notion of “repatriation tourism” raised in Polish media. He acknowledged, however, that illegal border crossings are a “joint problem” that requires close cooperation between Germany and Poland.
Lithuanian authorities confirmed they had been notified of Poland’s decision and indicated a willingness to coordinate responses. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys stressed the importance of protecting the EU’s external border without compromising the principle of free movement.
According to European Union rules, member states may temporarily reintroduce internal border controls under exceptional circumstances, such as threats to internal security. A spokesperson for the European Commission confirmed it is in contact with all affected countries to ensure that any such measures remain limited and proportionate.
