Statement by the European Commission following the temporary reintroduction of border controls by Germany

Yesterday the European Commission issued a statement underlining that Germany’s decision to reintroduce border controls, particularly at the German-Austrian border, is a temporary measure. This exceptional possibility in case of a crisis situation is foreseen in and regulated by the Schengen Borders Code – such is the current situation in Germany. Prima facie, Germany’s decision appears to be covered by the rules. The Commission will now closely monitor the situation and keep the European Parliament and the Council fully informed, as foreseen in the Schengen Borders Code. The objectives of our efforts must be to help ensure that we can go back to the normal Schengen system of open borders between Schengen Member States as soon as feasible. As President Juncker said in his State of the Union speech: “The free movement of people under Schengen is a unique symbol of European integration. However, the other side of the coin is a better joint management of our external borders and more solidarity in coping with the refugee crisis”. The full statement is available in EN, FR and DE.