Enhanced controls at Germany's land border crossings with other EU countries have incurred high financial costs. Data disclosed by the Federal Ministry of the Interior reveals that a total of 140 million euros has been spent on them from their introduction in 2024 until the end of 2025. The decision to implement the controls, taken in response to the increasing number of migrants, is controversial and criticized by the opposition as costly symbolic politics.

High Operational Costs

Data from the federal ministry shows that from September 2024 to the end of December 2025, the cost of enhanced controls on all of Germany's internal borders amounted to 140 million euros. These funds cover expenses for personnel, logistics, and equipment of the Federal Police (Bundespolizei).

Effectiveness and Scale of Operations

In the period from August 5 to December 31, 2025, German border services rejected 14,129 people at the borders, preventing them from entering the country. These figures show the scale of operations conducted on all border sections, not just the EU's external border.

Opposition Criticism and Debate

The Left Party (Die Linke) sharply criticizes the controls, calling them costly symbolic politics. MP Clara Bünger, who submitted the parliamentary inquiry, points out that the funds spent are urgently needed in other areas such as education or climate protection, and demands an end to the controls.

Legal Basis and Context

The controls were introduced in accordance with the provisions of the Schengen Borders Code, which allows for the temporary reintroduction of controls on internal borders in exceptional circumstances of threat to security or public order. The decision was made in response to increased migration and political pressure.

Enhanced controls on Germany's internal borders, conducted since September 2024, have proven to be a significant burden on the budget. The Federal Ministry of the Interior disclosed in response to a parliamentary inquiry that a total of 140 million euros had been spent on their operation by the end of December 2025. The operational effectiveness of this policy is reflected in the numbers. In the period from August 5 to December 31, 2025 alone, the German Federal Police (Bundespolizei) rejected the entry of 14,129 people at the borders. These actions are conducted on all border sections of the country, encompassing both borders with other countries of the European Union, as well as those within the Schengen Area. The free movement of persons is one of the pillars of European integration, established by treaties since the mid-20th century. The temporary reintroduction of controls on internal borders is possible under the Schengen Borders Code, but only in exceptional situations of threat to security or public order. This policy faces sharp criticism from the opposition. Clara Bünger, a member of parliament for the Left Party (Die Linke), who submitted the inquiry, described the controls as „kostenintensiver Symbolpolitik”. In Polish translation, this means costly symbolic politics. „kostenintensiver Symbolpolitik” (cost-intensive symbolic politics) — Clara Bünger, MP for the Left Party (Die Linke) The Left argues that the enormous public funds spent are desperately needed in other, priority areas such as education, climate protection, or social support. The party demands an immediate end to the controls. The decision to introduce them was made in response to increased migration and growing political pressure, but after more than a year and a half of operation, their effectiveness compared to the costs incurred is becoming a subject of public debate.

Mentioned People

  • Clara Bünger — Member of parliament for the German Left Party (Die Linke), who submitted a parliamentary inquiry regarding the costs of border controls.