Publications
Temporary border checks at the land borders with Austria, Switzerland, France, Luxembourg and Denmark
press release 15 March 2020
Border control aimed at further containment of the coronavirus comes into force on Monday, 16 March 2020, at 08:00
Federal Minister of the Interior Horst Seehofer has decided to temporarily reintroduce checks at the internal borders with Austria, Switzerland, France, Luxembourg and Denmark as an additional measure to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus.
The checks will come into force on Monday, 16 March 2020 at 08:00. The cross-border flow of goods will continue to be permitted. Cross-border commuters will also continue to be allowed to enter and leave the country. People travelling for other reasons should expect restrictions on travel both into and out of Germany. Travellers with symptoms that may indicate a coronavirus infection will not be permitted to enter/leave Germany, in coordination with the authorities in the relevant neighbouring country.
The Federal Ministry of the Interior is urging citizens to postpone all non-essential travel. Commuters are asked to provide proof that they need to cross the border for their work.
The Federal Police has been asked to oversee the border checks as of Monday. Notification of the temporary reintroduction of border control based on Article 28 of the Schengen Borders Code at internal land borders with Austria, Switzerland, France, Luxembourg and Denmark was sent to the European Commission and the home affairs ministers of the EU Member States today.
