Poland extends restrictions on its borders with Germany and Lithuania until March 2027

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The Polish Ministry of the Interior said on Thursday that the country intends to extend restrictions on its borders with Germany and Lithuania, two members of the European Union, for a period of six months until March 30, in a move that it says limits illegal immigration and enhances its security.

Poland had imposed temporary control measures in July 2025, similar to what other governments in the European Union had done, and then extended their validity until October 1, 2026.

Since the re-imposition of border control measures, nearly 1,300 people have been prevented from entering the country at the border with Lithuania and nearly 1,200 people at the border with Germany, the ministry said in a statement.

“Border restrictions are an effective tool to reduce illegal migration. Their extension allows us to address migration pressures and strengthen border security,” the statement said.

In a related context, Polish Deputy Defense Minister Cezary Tomczyk said on Monday that Polish fighters and helicopters will be able to shoot down foreign aircraft that are detected in the country’s airspace, according to defensive measures usually taken in times of war.

This step comes as part of the latest measures aimed at strengthening the defenses of Poland, a member of NATO and the European Union, as the war in neighboring Ukraine approaches its fifth year, and warnings from Kiev’s allies increase about the increasing danger of Russian drones.

Such a change would allow "the pilot or operations commander to make a decision to shoot down a foreign aircraft based on radar data or other information received into the system," Tomczyk said.