After initial plans were leaked about the possibility of tighter border controls in November, the Dutch Minister of Asylum and Migration Marlojein Faber has announced that from December, the border police will carry out extra border checks between the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany. These plans are a part of the measures by the government to combat human trafficking and reduce the number of asylum seekers coming into the country.

Dutch police to tighten border controls from December

From December 9, 2024, Dutch police will temporarily introduce additional border controls for six months. In the minister’s statement, Faber did not give details about how intensive the checks would be or how they would be carried out, but did state that the Royal Marechaussee would not receive extra personnel.

“Border controls are to be carried out in such a way that economic and commuter traffic in the border regions is hindered as little as possible,” stated Faber. Extra border checks will also be imposed at Dutch airports, but only for specific flights that have been deemed a risk for “irregular migration or cross-border crime”.

While regular checks are in place, taking your passport and residence permit is advisable if you are crossing the Dutch border.

The Netherlands joins Germany and France with stricter border controls

Currently, the Dutch border police perform border checks on drivers at road crossings, travellers on public transport and at airports. Now more checks will be done as part of the asylum measures being implemented in the country.

The Netherlands establishing more intensive border controls comes after Germany extended strict border controls in September and France introduced extra border checks in November. Under EU law, these extra measures can be done temporarily for six months and extended to a maximum of two years. 

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