Temporary reintroduction of border control

This government measure aims to combat irregular migration to the Netherlands and tackle human smuggling.

The temporary border controls are based on European agreements. These are described in Article 25 of Regulation (EU) 2016/399, the Schengen Borders Code. This code states that countries may temporarily introduce border controls. This is allowed only if it is necessary for public order or national security.

The border controls are temporary and will last twelve months (from 9 December 2024 to 9 December 2025).

The Royal Netherlands Marechaussee will be carrying out checks at the border with Belgium and Germany. These checks may occur at any border crossing point. We will also be conducting checks on international trains arriving from the Schengen Area. At airports, we will only be checking specific flights with a higher risk of irregular migration or cross-border crime.

The Marechaussee carries out these checks based on risk analysis and intelligence. This means that the border controls are not systematic. The frequency and intensity of these checks will depend on the situation. We will do our utmost to minimise any disruption to cross-border traffic.

Border checks can be carried out in different ways. We can conduct checks on the road, on trains and at airports.

On the road

Static checks: For large-scale checks, we sometimes close off a section of the motorway and direct traffic to a special checkpoint. There, we check some of the vehicles. To ensure the safety of our staff, it may be necessary to temporarily impose a speed limit. We realise this may cause inconvenience for traffic and will do our best to minimise any disruption.

Mobile checks: We may also carry out smaller, mobile checks. Marechaussee motorcyclists will then select vehicles at the border and escort them to a checkpoint.

At airports

At airports, we may check the travel documents of passengers at the arrival gate. This only applies to flights within the Schengen Area. Flights from outside the Schengen Area already go through passport control. We only check specific flights with a higher risk of irregular migration or cross-border crime.

On trains

On international trains arriving from the Schengen Area, Marechaussee officers may check the travel documents of passengers. They walk through the train carriages for this purpose.

We currently carry out random checks at the internal borders. This means that we do not check everyone. These checks take place on roads, on trains, on waterways and on flights from other Schengen countries. Under European law, we are only allowed to carry out a limited number of these checks.

From 9 December, we will temporarily be increasing the number of checks. This means that we will be carrying out checks more frequently and checking more people.

From 9 December, the Netherlands will be implementing temporary border controls at its internal borders. This means that there may be checks when you cross the border. You should therefore always carry a valid travel document (passport or identity card). The Royal Netherlands Marechaussee will be carrying out these controls. We will do our utmost to minimise any disruption for economic traffic and people who live and work in the border regions.

Asylum seekers can also apply for asylum in the Netherlands during border checks. They will then be escorted to a reception centre where their application will be processed. If they have previously applied for asylum in another EU country, steps will be taken to transfer them to that country under the Dublin Regulation.

The Netherlands has a large number of border crossings, totalling over 840. These include not only motorways and provincial roads, but also various smaller roads. Before the introduction of the Schengen Agreement, which enabled the free movement of people within a large part of Europe, the Netherlands had border checkpoints with permanent controls. In addition, there were also numerous border crossings that were not permanently guarded.