Brussels (enr) – The EU’s migration commissioner has reiterated the need for Germany to start phasing out internal border controls, highlighting a decrease in irregular arrivals and the new asylum framework established by the bloc.
“It is now time to gradually abolish internal border controls,” Magnus Brunner stated to members of the European Newsroom (enr) network in Brussels.
The Austrian commissioner noted that the EU’s external borders are now better secured and that irregular crossings have significantly decreased. Frontex reported approximately one-third fewer irregular crossings at the EU’s external borders during the first half of 2026 compared to the same timeframe last year.
The new Pact on Migration and Asylum came into effect on June 12, and Brunner mentioned that member states have begun to implement its provisions, showcasing early signs of progress.
He praised individual countries for relaxing their border controls, citing the removal of checks on the Trier motorway between Germany and Luxembourg and the suspension of controls between Austria and Slovenia.
Germany has maintained checks at its land borders since September 2024, initiated by former Interior Minister Nancy Faeser, with her successor Alexander Dobrindt intensifying them in May 2025. Dobrindt has repeatedly extended these measures, which are set to last until September.
Brunner also supported the EU’s new Entry/Exit System (EES), a digital mechanism tracking the entry and exit of travelers from outside the EU, as well as from Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland.
While he acknowledged that the system has created challenges at some airports, including in Greece and Portugal, he affirmed: “The system itself works very, very well.”
The system has faced backlash due to lengthy wait times, with Airports Council International Europe reporting delays of up to five hours and missed connections.
Brunner pointed out that professional truck drivers from the Western Balkans encounter specific issues, as they can currently stay in the EU for only 90 days within any 180-day period. He suggested that EU member states and Western Balkan nations should negotiate long-term visas bilaterally.
Leave a Reply