Normalisation of border controls within Europe are cause for concern

Italy responded to events in Ceuta by imposing border controls on travellers arriving from Spain. Germany has once again extended its controversial border controls. Schengen promises free movement across Europe, yet temporary border checks are becoming increasingly common. According to political scientist Lisa Herbig, these measures do more than create queues and missed train connections for EU citizens; they can also erode trust in political actors and fuel hostility towards migrants.

Research #University of Amsterdam

Since 2015 border restrictions were introduced almost 500 times in total within Europe, peaking during the coronavirus pandemic, with numbers remaining high thereafter.

‘Before 2015 this was often due to political summits and terrorist threats, but after 2015 migration and pandemics have been the main reasons,’ Herbig notes. ‘What was once intended as an exceptional emergency measure seems to be becoming normal, and that is problematic.’

Source: https://www.uva.nl/en/content/news/press-releases/2026/08/border-controls-within-the-eu.html