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Here at Travel Off Path, we believe that the freedom to travel and seamlessly to move between countries is a cornerstone of an ideal travel experience. However, the landscape of European journeys in the Schengen zone evolves, whereby increased safety measures become more prominent as we continue until 2025.
Eleven countries of Schengen have currently re -introduced temporary internal border controls in the region. This development can influence travel routes and lead to more frequent requests for documentation.
Insight into changes in Schengen Travel
The Schengen agreement usually makes traveling between Member States possible without internal border inspections, which makes simple movement facilitate. Nevertheless, countries can temporarily restore controls at their borders if they are confronted with serious threats to public policy or internal safety. This is the situation that is increasingly being observed in 2025.
Countries with border controls for 2025
The next eleven Schengen countries have restored border controls, referring to various reasons and timelines:
- Germany: Has implemented checks at its country borders With Poland, the Czech Republic, Austria, France, Switzerland, Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg. These measures, initiated in September 2024 to tackle irregular migration and smuggling activities, are expected to continue until at least 15 September 2025.
- France: Continues its border controls due to continuous security threatsIncluding terrorism, and to guarantee safety during major public events. These checks influence borders with Belgium, Germany, Spain and Italy, as well as large airports and train stations. Initially active from November 1, 2024 to April 30, 2025, these measures are expected to be extended.
- The Netherlands: Re -introduced checks At airports, ferry terminals and international train hubs from 9 December 2024 to 8 June 2025, to manage a high volume of migrant arrivals. There are indications that these measures can be expanded.
- Austria: Enures strict border surveillance, in particular with Hungary, Slovenia and Slovakia, because of migration routes through the Western Balkans. These checks, extended in May 2025, last a long time until at least November 2025.
- Italy: Has more intensive checks at its limits With France, Austria and Slovenia, with reference to concern about migrant arrangements and national security risks. These measures started at the end of 2024 and are expected to continue in 2025.
- Slovenia: In December 2024, checks implemented in December 2024 in response to regional instability and migration problems. These influence borders with Croatia and Hungary and are currently extended to at least December 21, 2025.
- Denmark: Has extended his Schengen checks until at least November 2025, with reference to national security and migration problems. The most important locations are the Øresund bridge that connects to Sweden and ferry from Germany and Sweden.
- Sweden: Will maintain internal border controls in 2025, probably until at least November, to tackle migration and to combat transnational crime. These are present in southern ports, airports and country borders with Denmark and Norway.
- Norway: This non-EU Schengen member also continues border controls, with current measures that extend to at least November 2025. The reasons cited include irregular migration and the need for coordination with wet neighbors. Checks are mainly on ferry terminals, southern land routes and airports.
- Bulgaria: After his member of the Schengen area for air and sea trips on March 31, 2024, and with land border controls with colleague Schengen -States lifted on January 1, 2025, Bulgaria applies selective internal checks. These are part of its phased integration in the Schengen zone and for national security purposes, including on the border with Romania until at least 30 June 2025.
- Slovakia: Has set checks at its limits with Austria and HungaryStarting in April 2025 and is expected to last in July 2025. The reason for these measures is to prevent the spread of ‘foot and mouth’ disease.
Reasons behind the restored border controls
The primary motivations for these countries to re -introduce border controls include tackling threats for national security, managing increased irregular migration and improving safety during large -scale public events.
Advice for travelers in the Schengen region in 2025
If your travel plans contain the Schengen area this year, consider the following:
- Always wear identification: Always keep your national passport or EU National ID card with you. Non-EU citizens must ensure that their visa documentation is easily accessible.
- Anticipate potential delays: It is advisable to add an extra 30 to 60 minutes to your travel schedule for road trips, train journeys and possibly a few flights between Schengen countries, because you encounter controls.
- Stay informed: Consult the latest information about border controls before traveling. The website of the European Commission and the official immigration websites of the countries you want to visit are valuable resources.
- Keep travel details accessible: Having copies of your hotel reservations and tickets that are immediately available can be useful.
Implications for your European trips
These recurring border controls change the travel experience in the Schengen zone. Although the freedom to easily move between countries is a core of European ideal, current safety needs and current events in 2025 mean that this principle is now being applied differently. However, you can still fully explore this diverse region – prepared for these checks will easily help you ensure that your journey is more flexible.
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This article originally appeared on Traveloffpath.com
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