Berlin, 16 July 2026
EU Migration Commissioner Magnus Brunner has called in an interview in Brussels for the gradual abolition of intra-European border controls, justifying this with falling migration figures and new asylum rules.
Speaking on the margins of a conversation with the Deutsche Presse-Agentur and other agencies of the European Newsroom (enr), Brunner said it was "now time to gradually abolish intra-European border controls." With this position, the Austrian is explicitly going against the German line: in Germany, the stationary internal border controls ordered in September 2024 are set to remain in place at least until September.
To justify his stance, Brunner pointed to two developments. Firstly, the protection of the EU's external borders has been improved. Secondly, the EU border agency Frontex registered about a third fewer irregular border crossings at the external borders in the first half of the year. In addition, the European asylum reform (CEAS) entered into force on 12 June, standardising asylum procedures across the EU.
Justification from Brussels
The German internal border controls were originally ordered by the then Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser (SPD). Her successor Alexander Dobrindt (CSU) had tightened the controls in May of the previous year and had extended them several times since. According to Brunner's information, the German Interior Minister has not yet distanced himself from the controls that are in place until September.
At the same time, Brunner emphasised that concrete progress has already been achieved. For example, controls on the Trier motorway at the border between Germany and Luxembourg have been lifted. He also regarded the end of stationary controls between Austria and Slovenia as a sign of normalisation in the Schengen area.
Progress and Problems
At the same time, the Commissioner advocated for the new digital entry and exit system (EES), which applies to travellers from third countries – i.e. from outside the EU as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. "The system itself is working very, very well," said Brunner. He acknowledged, however, that there were still problems at some airport locations, for example in Greece and Portugal.
The European airport association ACI had reported waiting times of up to five hours and missed connecting flights in connection with the introduction of EES. Brunner spoke in this context of an "implementation process" and expressed confidence that the difficulties would be gradually resolved.
Reactions and Political Pressure
In Berlin, the initiative from Brussels received a mixed response. Supporters see Brunner's arguments as confirmation that the Schengen area can function again under the new framework conditions. Critics point out that the EES problems at several airports have not yet been resolved and that controls on German roads remain necessary as long as returns to third countries do not work reliably.
The debate has immediate political consequences. Federal Interior Minister Dobrindt had extended the controls several times, always justifying this with ongoing migration pressure and security concerns. Brunner's demand puts the German government under pressure to reassess the rationale for internal border controls. The decisive factor will be how irregular border crossings develop in the coming months and whether the EES problems can be resolved quickly.
Brunner announced that he would continue to advocate for gradually rolling back internal border controls in several member states – including Germany. According to his words, the timing for an end to the German controls is tied to the further stabilisation of the EU's external border.