DistantNews
Support us
Germany: Border Controls Heavily Burden Federal Police, Minister Says
🇩🇪 Germany /Elections & Politics

Germany: Border Controls Heavily Burden Federal Police, Minister Says

From Die Zeit · () German

Translated from German, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt stated that federal police are heavily burdened by ongoing border controls.
  • He expressed admiration for the officers' performance despite the significant demands placed upon them.
  • Border controls, in place since September 2024 and extended multiple times, are intended to be temporary, with a search for alternative solutions underway.

German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt has voiced concerns over the significant strain placed on the federal police due to persistent border controls. Speaking at the 75th anniversary celebration of the Federal Police in Potsdam, Dobrindt acknowledged the immense workload and pressure on the officers.

"I was not entirely sure whether the men and women of the Federal Police... whether the organization is capable and willing to carry out precisely this task," Dobrindt stated, expressing his deep respect for their efforts. He added that he knows he is asking a lot of the Federal Police and is impressed by their performance at the border, calling their service "anything but a matter of course."

I was not entirely sure whether the men and women of the Federal Police... whether the organization is capable and willing to carry out precisely this task.

— Alexander DobrindtGerman Interior Minister, expressing his initial doubts about the Federal Police's capacity to handle the demands of border controls.

The current border checks were initially implemented in September 2024 under the previous administration and have since been extended three times, most recently until mid-September 2026. Dobrindt, who took office in May 2025, has further intensified these controls. While acknowledging the necessity of these measures in the current security climate, he stressed that they are not meant to be a permanent fixture.

"We want to go a different way together," Dobrindt announced, indicating a desire to find alternative solutions to manage border security. He emphasized that this path forward is only possible because the Federal Police are prepared to cooperate. Within the Schengen Area, which comprises most EU states along with Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland, border controls are generally not permitted. The Federal Police, which evolved from the Federal Border Guard established in 1951, now handles a wide range of responsibilities including rail transport security, sea border protection, airport security, and participation in international missions and major events.

We want to go a different way together.

— Alexander DobrindtGerman Interior Minister, signaling a desire to move away from permanent border controls.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Die Zeit in German. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog