The German Federal Police will continue controlling travellers arriving from Czechia until at least 15 September 2026, according to the latest notification published by the European Commission on 30 July. Berlin first reinstated the checks in mid-March after recording a sharp rise in irregular crossings along the Czech-German and Polish-German corridors. While the controls are labelled “temporary,” Germany has renewed them several times under Article 25 of the Schengen Borders Code, arguing that asylum facilities in Saxony and Bavaria face critical overcrowding. For Czech exporters and commuters heading to markets in Dresden, Leipzig and Munich, the practical effect is sporadic passport screening on the A17 (Prague–Dresden) and A93 (Cheb–Regensburg) motorways, plus spot inspections on regional trains. Large manufacturing companies in western Bohemia have already reported lost production hours when cross-border staff were held up by morning peak-time checks. HR departments recommend that posted workers carry employment confirmations in German and factor possible delays into shift planning. Transport firms note that perishable-goods trucks are being prioritised, but general cargo may face waits of up to 45 minutes during shift changes. German authorities insist the measures are proportionate and that “bona-fide commuters” should experience minimal disruption. Nevertheless, chambers of commerce on both sides warn the extensions undermine confidence in Schengen’s predictability and could discourage future foreign investment in the border regions. If the controls continue into the autumn, seasonal workers recruited from Czechia for Germany’s wine and hops harvest could face administrative hurdles. Businesses should keep copies of workers’ residence permits, driving licences and A1 social-security certificates readily available, and watch for further Commission bulletins that may shorten—or prolong—the current end-date.
