Germany reports 9,400 illegal entries in first year of Czech border checks

German authorities have recorded 9,400 cases of illegal entry at the border with Czechia and arrested 225 smugglers since the introduction of border checks a year ago. The German Interior Ministry released the figure on Tuesday, as the country marks one year since border controls were reintroduced with Czechia, Poland, and Switzerland.

The controls, initially set up to curb illegal migration and smuggling, were introduced as part of a broader security initiative. Although Germany is part of the passport-free Schengen Zone, it launched border checks with Austria in 2015 during the European migration crisis.

In October 2023, Chancellor Olaf Scholz made it clear that the government intends to maintain these controls for as long as necessary. The current measures, which are set to expire on December 15, 2024, are also likely to be extended.