Berlin, March 15, 2026 – Germany has officially ended its temporary border controls with Switzerland, restoring seamless travel across their shared 362-kilometer frontier. The decision, announced by Interior Minister Nancy Faeser, takes effect immediately and marks the conclusion of measures introduced in 2023 to address irregular migration and smuggling.

The controls were initially implemented as a response to increased asylum seeker arrivals and organized crime concerns, allowing German authorities to perform checks on incoming traffic from Switzerland. Over the past three years, these checks intercepted thousands of undocumented migrants and contraband, but data showed declining irregular crossings amid improved EU-wide cooperation. Faeser cited stabilized migration flows and enhanced bilateral policing agreements as key factors enabling the lift.

This move aligns with the Schengen Area's open-border principles and is expected to boost cross-border trade, tourism, and daily commutes for the roughly 30,000 residents living in one country and working in the other. Swiss Federal Councillor Elisabeth Baume-Schneider welcomed the development, calling it a "return to normalcy" that strengthens neighborhood ties. No immediate disruptions are anticipated, though monitoring will continue.