Poland Keeps Border Checks With Germany and Lithuania Until March 2027

If you drive to Berlin for the weekend, take a bus to Vilnius or cross the Oder for work every day, you may have met a police officer at the border who asked for your documents. For many people this felt strange, because Poland has been part of the Schengen area since 2007.

These checks are not going away soon. At the start of October 2026, the Polish government decided to keep temporary controls on its borders with Germany and Lithuania for another six months, until 30 March 2027. Here is what that means for you and how to cross without stress.

What Was Decided

Poland first brought back checks on these two borders in July 2025. The government said the aim was to stop illegal migration and strengthen security. The controls were later extended to 1 October 2026, and now to 30 March 2027. Under Schengen rules, a country can bring back internal checks for a limited time when it sees a serious threat, but it must notify the European Commission and other members.

According to the Interior Ministry, about 1,300 people have been refused entry at the Lithuanian border and about 1,200 at the German border since the checks began. Germany also runs its own checks on the Polish border, so you may be stopped in either direction.

Who Gets Stopped

Checks are not carried out on every car or every train. Border Guard officers choose vehicles and travellers at selected crossing points. Buses, vans and cars with many passengers are often checked more closely. If you are stopped, the officer will ask for your identity document and may ask where you are travelling and why.

Polish and other EU citizens are not refused for normal travel if their documents are in order. Foreign nationals living in Poland need to show they have the right to stay, for example with a residence card or a valid visa.

Documents to Carry

• Polish citizens: a valid ID card or passport. A driving licence or the mObywatel app is not always accepted as a travel document abroad.
• Other EU citizens: a valid national ID card or passport.
• Foreign residents: your passport plus your Polish residence card or valid visa.
• Children: their own valid ID card or passport.
• Drivers: vehicle registration documents and insurance.

Tips for a Smooth Crossing

1. Keep your documents in the car, not in the boot.
2. Allow extra time at busy crossings, especially on Friday evenings and holidays.
3. Check traffic updates before you leave.
4. Answer questions calmly and honestly.
5. If you are a foreign resident, make sure your residence card has not expired.

What It Means for Cross Border Workers

If you live in Poland and work in Germany, or the other way round, the checks can add time to your journey. Many commuters now leave earlier or use crossings that are usually quieter. Employers who send staff across the border should remind them to carry the right documents every day.

For foreign workers living in Poland, there is one more point. Your right to work in Poland does not give you the right to work in Germany or Lithuania. If you cross for work, you need permission from that country too.

Remember that the rules on the Polish side and the German side are separate decisions. Germany has its own checks on its land borders, so even if Poland ended its controls, you might still be stopped when entering Germany. Always travel as if a check could happen.

If you are refused entry or have a problem at the border, ask the officer for the reason in writing. Keep any document you are given. If you are a foreign resident and believe the decision was wrong, speak to a lawyer about your options.

Before You Rely on Any Figure

The dates and figures above reflect government announcements and news reports up to October 2026. The checks may be extended again or ended early. Rules, fees and dates change, so check the official government website on the day you act. For questions about your own case, speak to a licensed immigration lawyer or an authorised representative. World Visa Academy is a training academy; it does not file applications or guarantee any visa or outcome.

The Honest Summary

Border checks with Germany and Lithuania are planned to stay until 30 March 2027. Travel is still open, but carry a valid ID card or passport, and foreign residents should also carry their residence card. A little planning saves a lot of waiting.

Key takeaways

• Poland has extended its temporary checks on the German and Lithuanian borders until 30 March 2027.
• The checks began in July 2025 and have been extended several times.
• You still need a valid passport or ID card, even inside the Schengen area.
• Foreign residents should carry their residence card as well as their passport.