Germany is planning to bring back some form of border controls on a temporary basis in an effort to reduce the number of non-EU nationals arriving in the country by road, train and plane.

The Netherlands shares a 570 kilometre border with Germany on land and at sea, and thousands of people live in one country and work or study in the other. The measure is set to be introduced on September 16 and will last at least six months.

“We are strengthening internal security and continuing our hard line against irregular migration,” interior minister Nancy Faeser said in a statement. Germany has hardened its stance on migration in recent years and the government is currently facing a surge in support for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD).

As yet, it is unclear how the extra checks will work in practice but Faeser has said the impact on commuters and daily life in the border area will be “as minimal as possible”.

PVV

In the Netherlands too, the far right PVV has called for the reintroduction of more border checks. Temporary border controls are permitted within the EU if Brussels is briefed in advance.

Migration minister Marjolein Faber said in a reaction that she understood the German move. Germany and the Netherlands will now discuss how the measure will be implemented and how to reduce the impact on cross-border trade, her spokesman told the AD.

Faber also said she wants the Dutch cabinet to work with Germany and the rest of Europe in sharpening up immigration rules and strengthening controls at Europe’s outer borders, broadcaster NOS reported.

Germany also shares its 3,700 kilometre land border with Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, France, Switzerland, Austria, the Czech Republic and Poland. All are fellow members of the Schengen open border area.