Germany, Denmark to maintain border controls over migration concerns

Germany and Denmark plan to maintain controls at their shared border for the time being, German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said on Thursday after talks with the Danish minister for migration and integration, Morten Bødskov.

"For us, border controls play an important role in curbing illegal migration," Dobrindt said, hailing the success of the temporary border controls implemented in recent months.

He said that although the border with Denmark plays only a minor role in irregular migration, German police have successfully disrupted people-smuggling operations there.

Bødskov said Denmark also currently sees a continued need for border controls.

Germany introduced checks at its border with Denmark in September 2024, despite both countries belonging to the Schengen visa-free travel area, and has extended the measure several times since. Denmark began border controls on the border with Germany in May 2024.

Dobrindt and Bødskov highlighted their close cooperation on migration policy at the European level, particularly regarding plans to establish so-called "return hubs" outside the European Union to accommodate migrants whose asylum claims have been rejected but who cannot be deported to their countries of origin.

Dobrindt said Greece, the Netherlands and Austria have expressed interest in participating in the initiative. 

Both he and the Danish minister said they were confident that an agreement could be reached before the end of the year with a country willing to host a return hub, without providing further details. A pilot project could then be launched next year, they said.