Schengen Border Checks in 2027: Seven Countries Extend Internal Controls

Seven Schengen countries keep internal border checks into 2027. See the end dates, which borders are checked, the reasons and Italy's position

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Passport-free travel inside the Schengen area will remain partly suspended in 2027. As of 4 November 2026, eight Schengen countries run temporary controls at some or all of their internal borders, and seven of them have told the European Commission that the checks will continue into next year, UNIAN reports, citing SchengenVisaInfo.

This matters for anyone crossing a European border by car, train, ferry or plane in the coming months. The new extensions came about five months after the European Commission recommended a gradual phase-out of internal checks.

Planning to drive through several European countries while border checks remain in place?

A road trip across Schengen borders means more than carrying the right ID: motorways in some countries require a paid toll sticker. Buy a Vignette online on Visit World before you set off and avoid queuing at the border. Get your vignette now.

Which Schengen countries have border checks in 2026 and 2027?

According to UNIAN, the eight countries with internal border controls as of 4 November 2026 are Austria, Denmark, Italy, Germany, Norway, Poland, France and Sweden. Data from SchengenVisaInfo dated 24 October 2026 also lists eight countries.

All of them except Italy plan to keep the checks in 2027. The law firm Fragomen likewise reports controls lasting until March–May 2027 in Austria, Denmark, France, Germany, Norway, Poland and Sweden.

Some countries have stepped back. According to UNIAN:

• the Netherlands ended its controls at the end of September;
• Italy and Spain dropped the mutual checks on flights and ferries introduced in summer amid the crisis in Ceuta.

Fragomen, in an earlier update, described the Italy–Spain checks as valid until October 2026.

About which countries checked documents at Schengen borders earlier in 2026 — read more at the link.

When do the border checks end in spring 2027?

The current periods expire on these dates, according to UNIAN and Travel and Tour World:

• 15 March 2027 — Austria and Germany;
• 30 March 2027 — Poland;
• 30 April 2027 — France;
• 11 May 2027 — Denmark, Norway and Sweden.

Denmark, Norway and Sweden introduced new six-month periods running from 12 November 2026 to 11 May 2027. Germany's controls had been due to end on 15 September 2026; it notified a new period from 16 September 2026 to 15 March 2027.

Which borders are checked in each country?

• France and Sweden — all internal borders, including flights from other Schengen countries.
• Germany — all nine land borders: with Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Denmark, Austria, Switzerland, the Czech Republic and Poland (the list of neighbours is given by kordinate.world).
• Poland — borders with Germany and Lithuania, according to UNIAN.
• Italy — only the border with Slovenia.
• Norway — only ports with ferry links to other Schengen countries, so there are no Norwegian checks when entering by land from Sweden.
• Denmark — land and sea borders with Germany.

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Why are countries keeping the checks?

A Schengen country may temporarily restore controls only in case of a serious threat to public order or internal security and only as a last resort, SchengenVisaInfo notes. The stated reasons are:

• Denmark — risks of sabotage, terrorism and organised crime;
• Norway — threats to the energy sector and sabotage;
• Sweden — cross-border organised crime, threats from Russia, hybrid threats, the use of migrants as a means of pressure and the events in Ceuta.

How long can controls last under Schengen rules?

Under the 2024 reform of the Schengen Borders Code, controls for a foreseeable threat may be introduced for up to six months, with a total limit of two years. In exceptional circumstances they can be extended by another six months, and then for one final six-month period.

Several countries have run checks almost continuously for years:

• Germany — since 13 September 2015;
• Austria — since 16 September 2015;
• Sweden — since 12 November 2015;
• Denmark — since 4 January 2016;
• France — since 1 November 2018;
• Norway — since 12 November 2021;
• Italy, border with Slovenia — since 21 October 2023;
• Poland — since 7 July 2025.

The European Commission has issued opinions on controls in Austria, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Slovenia and Sweden.

What happens with Italy's border checks?

Italy's controls on the border with Slovenia are due to end on 18 December 2026. When the European Commission compiled its latest list, Italy had not notified any extension, UNIAN reports. Unless a new notification follows, Italy will be the only one of the eight countries without checks in 2027.

What travellers need to know now

In most cases these are spot checks rather than full passport control, but any traveller may be asked for an identity document:

• EU and Schengen citizens — a passport or national ID card; a driving licence is not accepted;
• third-country nationals — a passport and, where required, a visa or residence permit.

Visa-exempt travellers should keep within the limit of 90 days in any 180, Fragomen reminds. The EU Entry/Exit System has been fully operational since 10 April 2026: fingerprints and a photo are taken on first entry, while the launch of ETIAS keeps being postponed.

About how the EES works at EU borders and the documents needed for a road trip through Europe — read more at the links.

Driving through Germany, Austria or other countries with border checks this winter? Sort out road tolls in advance and keep your ID at hand. Buy your Vignette online on Visit World before the trip.

We remind you! In our previous article, we wrote about how the EU tightened border checks from 6 September.

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