Germany and Denmark to Maintain Border Controls to Curb Illegal Immigration
German Interior Minister Dobrints and Danish Migration Minister Morten Bedskov confirmed after a meeting that border controls between the two countries will remain in place to limit illegal immigration. The officials also discussed plans to establish return centers outside the European Union.
German and Danish officials have agreed to continue border controls at their shared border. After talks with Danish Migration and Integration Minister Morten Bedskov, German Interior Minister Dobrints emphasized that such measures are essential for curbing illegal immigration. He praised the temporary border checks introduced in recent months.
Although the German-Danish border plays only a minor role in illegal migration, Dobrints noted that German police have successfully disrupted human smuggling operations there.
Morten Bedskov stated that Denmark also considers it necessary to maintain controls on the border with Germany. Germany introduced checks on the Danish border in September 2024, despite both countries being part of the Schengen Area, and has extended them multiple times since. Denmark began border controls on the German border in May 2024.
Both ministers highlighted close cooperation on migration policy at the European level, particularly regarding plans to establish so-called "return centers" outside the European Union. These centers are intended to house migrants whose asylum applications have been rejected but who cannot be deported to their countries of origin. Dobrints reported that Greece, the Netherlands, and Austria have expressed interest in joining this initiative.
