Seven Schengen countries will keep temporary checks at their internal borders into 2027, according to the European Commission's notification register, extending a system meant to be exceptional well into next year.

As of 6 November, Austria, Denmark, France, Germany, Norway, Poland and Sweden had all notified extensions. Italy's current controls run until 18 December 2026, with no extension announced.

When the checks run until

Germany and Austria have notified controls until 15 March 2027, Poland until 30 March, France until 30 April, and Denmark, Norway and Sweden until 11 May 2027. Germany's checks cover all nine of its land borders; France's cover land, air and sea borders with Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Spain and Italy; Austria's affect its borders with Slovakia, Czechia, Hungary and Slovenia.

Why countries say they need them

Governments cite continued irregular migration, migrant-smuggling networks, pressure on asylum systems and wider security concerns. Germany, which reintroduced checks on all its land borders in September 2024, says the measures are linked to serious threats to public security and public order.

Not the end of passport-free travel

The Commission stresses that the controls are a last-resort, temporary measure that must remain necessary and proportionate, and that they do not end Schengen's passport-free travel. Checks may still add delays for people crossing by road, rail and coach, and countries can notify further extensions before the current periods expire.

[Source: travelandtourworld.com](https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/sf48b08ri7gg/) | [Source: visitukraine.today](https://visitukraine.today/blog/9893/eight-schengen-countries-maintain-border-controls-what-will-change-in-2027)