New decision from Germany regarding Schengen visas: Effectively suspended
As rejection rates for Schengen visa applications from Turkey to European countries continue to rise, another significant development has occurred. Germany has effectively suspended the Schengen agreement, which allows for free movement within Europe.
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Germany has closed its borders to address general security, prevent irregular migration, reduce the increasing financial and humanitarian burden on the country, and counter threats stemming from radical Islamist terrorism and cross-border crime.
Effective from September 16, the Schengen Agreement, which provides for free movement within the European Union, has been suspended. Controls will be implemented at land borders, and in accordance with German law, border police will deny entry to those they deem 'objectionable,' even if they hold a valid visa.
According to a report in Sözcü, any undocumented individual from Turkey, Syria, Afghanistan, or an African country will be turned away if they do not have permission to enter the country or are subject to an entry ban. Those requesting asylum will be sent to camps.
Citizens of the Republic of Turkey who have obtained a visa and arrived will also be subject to this treatment and may be turned back at the border. The turning back of undocumented individuals from Turkey at the borders will also be implemented by the 'direct border police.' The matter in question has been brought into compliance with German law and has been reported to EU institutions.
Starting September 16, border controls will be implemented for six months for those arriving from France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Denmark. Travel from Germany to these countries will remain free.
Controls will continue to be increased at the Austrian borders until November 11, 2024, and at the Swiss, Czech, and Polish borders until December 15, 2024. These controls may be extended further. The maximum extension period could be three years.
Following the partial implementation of border controls last year, there was a decrease in illegal entries. The most significant decline was observed at the Swiss-German border. In 2023, there were more than 18 thousand illegal entries from the Swiss border into Germany. Since the controls began, that number fell to 6 thousand by the end of the first six months of this year.