Poland has announced that border controls with Slovakia will remain in place until next year, SchengenVisaInfo.com reports.
Poland’s Border Guard Service said that internal border controls with Slovakia have been extended until 2 January 2024. Additional checks are expected only for those entering Poland. Polish Border Guard reported:
Temporary border controls on the Polish-Slovak border are extended until January 2, 2024. Inspections will continue to be carried out only in the direction of entering Poland.
Poland’s decision to expand controls on its border with Slovakia was provoked by a sharp increase in the number of illegal migrants. Many migrants from the Middle East and Afghanistan pass through Slovakia on their way to Western Europe. This was the reason why Poland decided to maintain controls to prevent illegal entry.
Poland reintroduced controls at its internal border with Slovakia on 4 October and has since extended them regularly, citing problems with illegal migration.
At the time of the previous extension, Poland’s Interior Ministry said people would be able to cross the Polish-Slovak border at eight checkpoints. During the period when border controls will be reintroduced, a number of checkpoints will also be open for movement.
The ministry says that some of the crossing points for foot crossing will now allow cars and lorries to pass through if permitted by traffic regulations. However, large buses and vehicles that can carry more than seven or up to nine people are exceptions. The changes apply to the following border crossings: Jaworzynka – Čierne – Skalité, Winiarczykówka, Ujsoły, Łysa Polana, Chochołów, Bór, Niedzica, Konieczna.
The rules under which citizens of EU countries, the European Free Trade Agreement and Switzerland, as well as their spouses and children, can travel across these borders remain the same.
Travellers must always carry their travel documents – identity card or passport, depending on their nationality.
Poland is not the only country that has decided to keep internal border controls with Slovakia until next year. More recently, the Czech government announced that its border control with Slovakia would remain in place until 3 January 2024. According to Czech Interior Minister Vit Rakuzan, this is how the country is fighting illegal migration. Minister Rakuzan also said that border checks are necessary because there is currently no unified EU policy aimed at protecting the bloc’s external borders from illegal migration.
