Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade updated its Smartraveller advice for Germany late on 25 July 2026 (still current as of 24 July in Europe). While the overall risk rating remains ‘Exercise normal safety precautions’, the notice draws fresh attention to temporary border controls at all German land frontiers—measures that Berlin has prolonged to 15 September 2026. Under the Schengen Code, Germany reintroduced controls in March to stem irregular migration through Poland, the Czech Republic and Austria. DFAT warns Australian passport-holders to carry travel documents at all times—even on intra-Schengen trains—and to allow extra time at airports because biometric registration under the new EU Entry/Exit System (EES) can create queues. The advisory also reminds travellers that ETIAS, the electronic travel authorisation, has not yet launched; any website charging fees now is fraudulent. For corporate mobility teams the alert underscores the administrative frictions that continue to affect cross-border staff moves. Assignees transiting by road to client sites in neighbouring countries may face spot checks, and shuttle services should build in slippage. Employers should also brief dual citizens on which passport to use for EES so as not to erode their 90/180-day Schengen allowance. Although the DFAT bulletin is aimed at Australians, the operational implications apply equally to multinationals moving talent between German hubs and EU neighbours. Travel managers are advised to circulate the update company-wide and revisit risk assessments for projects that rely on tight cross-border schedules.
