An updated notification on the European Commission’s Schengen portal confirms that Poland will re-introduce temporary controls at its land borders with Germany and Lithuania from 2 October 2026 to 30 March 2027. Warsaw cites “persistent migratory pressure” and associated security risks as the rationale, extending a measure that has been renewed periodically since April. The move means that travellers—EU citizens and third-country nationals alike—should expect spot checks on documents, vehicle searches and possible waiting times on the A2/A12 motorway near Świecko-Frankfurt (Oder), the A4/A15 at Ludwigsdorf, and the S61/A5 corridor at Budzisko–Lazdijai. Rail and coach services will also be subject to on-board inspections by Border Guard and police. Business travellers crossing for meetings or commuter work must carry either a national ID card or passport, while non-EU nationals need a valid Schengen visa or residence permit plus proof of purpose of stay. The notification emphasises that freight flows should remain “as fluid as possible,” but logistics firms recall that earlier reinstatements added several hours to truck transit during peak shifts. Germany and Lithuania have each prolonged their own border measures, creating a domino effect across the internal Schengen area. The Commission continues to press Member States to limit such checks, yet acknowledges that Russia’s war in Ukraine and hybrid pressure from Belarus have strained external-border management in the region. Companies relocating staff through Poland are advised to update travel policies, alert assignees to carry originals of residence cards, and build possible delays into cross-border project timelines, especially for just-in-time supply chains linking Polish plants with German suppliers.
Source: European Commission – DG HOME
