Germany’s Federal Police in Ebersbach have arrested a 23-year-old Georgian driver who crossed the Kunratice–Neugersdorf border from Czechia with five undocumented construction workers on board. The late-night stop on Saxony’s S 148 road at 21:00 on 17 September uncovered that neither the driver nor the Moldovan and Georgian passengers held valid residence permits or work authorisations. According to investigators, the VW Transporter—registered to a company in northern Germany—was heading to cable-laying sites near Zittau. All six men wore high-visibility work gear, suggesting they were en-route to begin shifts the next morning. Officers seized the vehicle and opened proceedings for facilitation of illegal entry, unauthorised stay and illegal employment. The case underscores the continued pressure along the German-Czech land border, which, despite being an internal Schengen frontier, has seen periodic spot checks since Austria and Germany reinstated temporary controls last year. For Czech employers using posted-worker arrangements or subcontractors, the incident is a reminder that documentation must travel with the employee, even for intra-Schengen moves. Labour-law specialists note that fines for illegal posting can reach EUR 500,000 in Germany, while Czech firms may also face sanctions at home under the Act on Employment. Companies placing staff across the border are advised to keep electronic copies of A1 certificates, employment contracts and proof of health insurance ready for inspection. German authorities say further joint patrols with Czech Foreign Police will take place in the coming weeks as construction activity peaks before winter, increasing the likelihood of opportunistic smuggling operations.
