Luxembourg demands Germany to comply with Schengen agreements

The Luxembourg government has strongly protested against Germany's decision to extend internal border controls until 15 September 2025. This decision was notified to the European Commission by the German Federal Minister of the Interior, Nancy Faeser, on 12 February 2025. Luxembourg, as a founding member state of the Schengen Agreement, categorically insists on respecting the principle of open internal borders in Europe and believes that increased controls should only take place at the external borders of the Schengen area.

Germany's decision to extend border controls was initially justified by the need to ensure security during the European Football Championship in 2024. However, the Luxembourg government, led by Prime Minister Luc Frieden, believes that such a measure violates the principles of the Schengen Agreement. Luc Frieden has repeatedly emphasised that the extension of controls is contrary to the basic provisions of the Schengen Code and should only be justified in strict compliance with the principles of necessity and proportionality.

The Luxembourg government insists that any changes to border policy within the Schengen area must be carefully justified and agreed with European partners. Prime Minister Luc Frieden raised this topic at a meeting with the President of the European Commission in Luxembourg on 27 January 2025 and during the European Council in Brussels on 17-18 October 2024. Luxembourg's Minister of the Interior also plays an important role in the dialogue with Germany, having repeatedly raised the need for Schengen compliance in meetings with Nancy Faeser. Discussions took place at the international conferences in Basel and Ghent in 2024 as well as in the framework of the EU Justice and Home Affairs Council (JAI) meetings.

Support for Luxembourg's position comes not only from officials but also from regional German leaders. Minister-President Anke Rehlinger of Saarland, despite belonging to the same party as Nancy Feser, has expressed opposition to the extension of border controls. In an interview with Radio 100komma7 on 6 January 2025, she stated that she did not support the extension of border controls and favoured a return to normal border crossing procedures.

The Luxembourg government continues to exert diplomatic pressure on Germany, demanding justifications for the extension of border controls that fulfil the criteria of necessity and proportionality set out in the Schengen Code. A formal protest was sent to the European Commission on 14 February 2025, underlining Luxembourg's determination to defend the principles of the Schengen Agreement.