EU urges France and eight other countries to end internal border checks
The European Commission has called on France and eight other countries to begin phasing out internal border controls within the Schengen area.
The European Commission has called on nine countries, including France and Germany, to begin phasing out internal border controls within the Schengen area, arguing that new migration and border management systems have reduced the need for routine checks.
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France, Germany, Austria, Italy, Denmark, Sweden, the Netherlands, Slovenia and Norway were urged to gradually lift controls and make greater use of alternative security measures, including police checks and regional cooperation.
EU officials said the introduction of the Entry/Exit System (EES), which digitally records the movements of non-EU travellers, and the forthcoming European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), due by the end of 2026, have strengthened monitoring at the bloc’s external borders.
Internal border checks are intended to be temporary under Schengen rules, but several countries have maintained them for years, citing concerns over migration and security.
Germany, for example, has had some form of border controls in place since 2015.
The Commission said it had received complaints from citizens and businesses about the impact of prolonged checks, particularly in border regions where many people cross daily for work or study.
According to the EU, irregular border crossings fell by 40% during the first four months of 2026 compared with the same period last year.
The recommendation is not legally binding, but forms part of a wider effort to restore full freedom of movement across the Schengen zone, which is home to nearly 450 million people.