Germany's Border Controls Lead to Over 13,000 Turnbacks in 140 Days

Systematic checks at German borders since September have reduced unauthorized entries and resulted in arrests and deportations.

Germany has conducted systematic border controls since September 16, 2024, at all land borders, including those with France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, and Denmark.
In 140 days, 13,786 individuals without valid documentation were turned back or deported, while 22,243 unauthorized entry attempts were recorded.
Authorities arrested 518 human traffickers and uncovered 396 individuals linked to extremist or Islamist networks during these checks.
The measures also led to the execution of 3,300 outstanding arrest warrants as an incidental outcome of the controls.
Unauthorized entry attempts have decreased significantly, with January 2025 recording 5,147 cases, compared to 6,906 in January 2024 and 7,588 in January 2023.