Overview

• The FCO updated its guidance for UK travellers to Germany, Poland and Lithuania following Poland’s 30-day border checks and Germany’s ongoing land-border controls
• Starting 7 July Polish authorities launched inspections at 52 Germany–Poland points and 13 Lithuania–Poland frontier crossings to address illegal immigration concerns
• Around six million UK trips are made to these countries annually, underscoring the scale of potential travel delays and documentation requirements
• Germany has maintained temporary checks at all land borders since September 2024 to curb irregular migration, bolster internal security and manage integration of Ukrainian refugees
• Critics warn that extended internal controls risk hampering cross-border trade, daily commuting and the cohesion of the Schengen agreement