An immigration alert from Fragomen on 22 September confirms that France has notified the European Commission of its intention to prolong internal Schengen border controls through December 2026, citing persistent terrorist threats. The measure, first introduced in 2015 after the Paris attacks, allows French police to stop travellers on trains, coaches and roads arriving from neighbouring EU states. The extension aligns France with Austria, Denmark, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden, all of which maintain similar derogations under Article 25 of the Schengen Border Code. For day-trippers and cross-border commuters the practical impact is sporadic ID checks at key crossing points such as the A40 Mont Blanc tunnel and Thalys rail services from Brussels. Corporate mobility teams must remind visa-exempt assignees that time spent in France still counts towards the Schengen 90/180-day allowance even when entering via a land border. Carrying a passport or national ID card remains mandatory, and non-EU nationals should keep evidence of legal stay (visa or residence card) on their person to avoid secondary inspection delays. Fragomen notes that the amended 2024 Schengen Border Code requires member states to review internal checks every six months and to publish proportionality assessments. France’s latest filing cites both the elevated Vigipirate level and the logistical challenges of securing large-scale events such as the papal visit and the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
Source: Fragomen
