Status as of November 4, 2026
As of November 4, 2026, eight countries within the Schengen Area continue to enforce temporary border controls at their internal frontiers. Seven of these nations have informed the European Commission of their plans to extend these checks into 2027. Although these measures are intended to be temporary under the Schengen Border Code, some have been prolonged through renewed announcements. Italy, for example, is scheduled to end border controls with Slovenia by December 18, 2026.
Countries Implementing Border Controls
The following countries currently carry out internal border checks:
- Austria
- Denmark
- Italy
- Germany
- Norway
- Poland
- France
- Sweden
Denmark, Norway, and Sweden have imposed border controls from November 12, 2026, through May 11, 2027. In contrast, the Netherlands ended its border checks at the end of September 2026. Both Italy and Spain discontinued mutual inspections on flights and ferry routes during 2026.
France and Sweden enforce border controls across all internal boundaries, including flights arriving from other Schengen countries. Germany has maintained checks on all nine of its land borders continuously since September 13, 2015. Austria began its controls on September 16, 2015, and Sweden on November 12, 2015. Denmark started on January 4, 2016, with France following on November 1, 2018. Norway introduced controls on November 12, 2021, but only at ferry ports connecting to other Schengen states. Italy’s controls are limited to the border with Slovenia since October 21, 2023, while Poland monitors its borders with Germany and Lithuania from July 7, 2025.
According to the Schengen Border Code, internal border controls may last up to six months at a time, with a total duration not exceeding two years. Extensions of two additional six-month periods are possible under exceptional conditions. These temporary measures are set to expire in 2027: Austria and Germany on March 15, Poland on March 30, France on April 30, and Denmark, Norway, and Sweden on May 11.
Since April 10, 2026, the EU has introduced a new entry system for third-country nationals, replacing passport stamps with fingerprinting and photographing at the border. However, the planned ETIAS electronic travel authorization system for visa-exempt visitors has yet to launch due to repeated delays.
EU and Schengen citizens must carry either a passport or national ID card to cross borders; driver’s licenses are not accepted for this purpose. Third-country nationals require a passport and, if needed, a Schengen visa or residence permit even for short trips. Travelers should anticipate random checks rather than full passport inspections at every crossing, which may cause delays for drivers, bus passengers, and ferry travelers.
These ongoing temporary controls highlight persistent security and migration challenges faced by European countries within the Schengen Area.