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We take care of the security of Poland's borders. The government has made a decision to temporarily reinstate checks along the borders with Germany and Lithuania

01.07.2025

'We have decided to temporarily reinstate border checks along the Polish borders with Germany and with Lithuania,' Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced on Tuesday, 1 July. The government has decided to temporarily reinstate checks along the Polish-German and Polish-Lithuanian borders. This is a concrete and responsible decision that will bolster the security of the state its citizens. The solutions will take effect from Monday, 7 July.

We take care of the security of Poland's borders. The government has made a decision to temporarily reinstate checks along the borders with Germany and Lithuania

We continue to support freedom of movement in Europe, under the proviso that all of our neighbours share the will and pursue symmetrical efforts based on solidarity to curb the uncontrolled flow of migrants across our borders

- the Prime Minister stated at the start of the cabinet meeting. 

Prime Minister Donald Tusk also brought up talks with the German Chancellor concerning this matter.

I have spoken to the German Chancellor on several occasions, informing him that Poland's patience concerning this issue is running out - in particular in response to the change in practice, which makes it difficult to determine whether people who are returned to Poland should actually end up here

- he stated. 

I remain hopeful that any negative consequences when it comes to the interests of Polish citizens in connection with the temporary reinstatement of border checks will be minimised. This is the mission of the Border Guard and other authorities

- said the Polish Prime Minister. 

Our decision to temporarily reinstate border checks on the Lithuanian and German sections of the Polish border is irrevocable - regardless of the emotions in other countries' capitals

- the Prime Minister concluded. 

Reinstated checks at the internal borders in the EU

Internal border checks may be reinstated immediately in the event of the situation described in Article 25(a)(1) of the Regulation (EU) 2016/399 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 March 2016 on a Union Code on the rules governing the movement of persons across borders (Schengen Borders Code). 

According to this provision, where there is a serious, unpredictable and immediate threat to public policy or internal security in a Member State, that Member State may exceptionally reintroduce border control at all or specific parts of its internal borders. 

Border checks reintroduced under this procedure may remain in place for a maximum of 30 days. If the serious threat to public policy or internal security in the Member State concerned persists beyond that period, that Member State may prolong border control at its internal borders for renewable periods of up to 30 days, for a total of 90 days. At the end of this period, border checks may continue - as a measure of last resort - under another regime set out in the Schengen Borders Code. 

The notification obligation connected with the reintroduction of border checks under Article 25(a)(1) must be made at the same time as the border checks are reintroduced. The list of notified parties includes the European Parliament, the Council, the Commission and other Member States.

Following the reintroduction of border checks, foreign nationals who do not have the documents permitting them to enter Poland will be refused entry on the basis of Article 32 of the Schengen Borders Code in conjunction with Article 14 of the Code.