Traveling to the Netherlands Is About to Get More Difficult

Another European country to introduce border controls.

Following Germany and France, the Netherlands will reinstate temporary land border controls starting December 9. Germany implemented similar restrictions in September, with France following in October. The Dutch government has justified this decision as a necessary measure to curb illegal migration and human trafficking. These controls will remain in effect for six months.

The Netherlands shares its borders with Germany and Belgium, and spot checks will be conducted at hundreds of land border points. Marjolein Faber, the minister of asylum and migration, stated, “It is time to tackle irregular migration and migrant smuggling in a concrete way.”

Currently, random checks are already being carried out in the Netherlands, and illegal crossings are monitored. However, these measures may be intensified to prevent illegal immigrants from entering the country. Additionally, individuals who have applied for asylum in other countries will also be turned away. According to Minister Faber, the police will not receive additional resources for conducting these checks, and efforts will be made to minimize traffic disruptions as much as possible.

Faber represents the far-right Party for Freedom (PVV), which won the last elections and has an anti-immigration stance. The party’s tightening of border controls aims to discourage immigration. Despite this, news reports indicate that asylum applications have decreased by 5% compared to the previous two years. So far this year, there have been 700 asylum applications, down from 1,200 at the same time in 2023.

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Schengen Zone

The Schengen Agreement facilitates the free movement of goods and people among European Union member states, making it one of the E.U.’s most significant achievements. Established in 1985, the agreement allows for unrestricted movement within 25 of the 27 EU countries, as well as Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland.

According to the E.U., approximately 3.5 million people cross internal borders daily. Citizens can live in one country, work in another, and travel freely without undergoing checks. Students have the opportunity to study in different countries and work anywhere while also accessing healthcare benefits. For non-E.U. travelers, a common visa policy (the Schengen visa) enables them to travel within member states with fewer border checks and visa requirements.

Germany, France, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, and Belgium were the first five countries to abolish border checks as original signatories of the Schengen Agreement. However, today, three of these five nations have reinstated temporary border controls to address illegal migration.

With the newly imposed restrictions, experts are concerned about the implications for daily commuters and travelers. While all three governments have assured that the impact on freedom of movement will be limited, delays are anticipated. Additionally, there is a risk of a ripple effect that could weaken the Schengen Treaty. Other countries, including Norway, Austria, Denmark, Sweden, Slovenia, and Italy, have also implemented temporary border controls.

The E.U. allows for temporary border controls, but these measures are intended for emergency situations and can be applied for a maximum of six months. The European Commission states, “The reintroduction of border control at internal borders must be applied as a last resort measure, in exceptional situations, and must respect the principle of proportionality.” However, the recent rise of far-right movements in Germany and the Netherlands has intensified anti-immigration rhetoric, prompting governments to extend border controls as a means to curb immigration. This sentiment is increasingly visible across Europe, with far-right parties gaining traction.

Related: Traveling to France Is About to Get More Difficult