Berlin, March 16, 2026 – Germany has officially ended its temporary border controls with Austria, restoring full freedom of movement across the shared frontier after more than a year of heightened security measures. The decision, announced by Interior Minister Nancy Faeser, takes effect immediately and marks a significant step toward normalizing intra-EU travel amid improving migration trends and bilateral cooperation.

The controls were first imposed in late 2024 in response to a surge in irregular crossings from Austria, driven by routes from the Balkans and Middle East. Officials cited a 40% drop in asylum applications and enhanced joint patrols with Austrian authorities as key factors enabling the lift. "This reflects our confidence in managed borders without compromising Schengen principles," Faeser stated during a press conference in Berlin.

The move is expected to boost cross-border trade, tourism, and family ties, with the German-Austrian Chamber of Commerce projecting a €2 billion economic uplift in the first year. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen welcomed the development, calling it "a vote of trust in collective European security." Travelers reported seamless passages at checkpoints like Salzburg and Passau within hours of the announcement.