In an effort to reduce irregular migration and prevent cross-border crime, the Swiss upper house of parliament has supported a motion to tighten the border controls with the neighbouring Schengen member states.
The motion was backed on Thursday, March 13, 2025, with it stressing that the country should consider border measures that have already been taken by other member states, Schengen.News reports.
Moreover, the motion also requires the authorities to introduce more vigorous measures when it comes to expelling people who do not hold a valid residence permit and who have not applied for asylum.
Despite seeing the strengthening of border controls and other measures as necessary, the motion warned against systematic controls for everyone who enters the territory of Switzerland.
It said that systematic controls would have a negative impact specifically on the economy, Reuters explains.
The proposal to intensify border controls has already been passed by the lower house, and the initiative will now be passed on to the federal cabinet.
The State Policy Commission of the Council of States has also called for increased border controls. Such a measure, according to the State Policy Commission, would contribute to a better internal security.
A Number of Schengen Member States Currently Have Border Controls in Place
Currently, Germany, Bulgaria, Slovenia, Italy, Austria, the Netherlands, Norway, Denmark, France, and Sweden, have border controls in place with at least one member state.
Germany reinstated internal border controls with all of its neighbouring countries on September 2024 in an attempt to control cross-border crime and irregular migration.
The measure was set to expire in March of this year. However, just last month, the German authorities decided to extend temporary border controls with France, Luxembourg, Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark, Austria, Switzerland, Czechia, and Poland, until September 15, 2025.
Austria has also prolonged internal border controls with two of its neighbouring countries – Hungary and Slovenia. The border controls between Austria and Hungary and Slovenia will remain effective until May 2025.
According to the Austrian authorities, this measure is aimed at putting an end to irregular border activities and improving national security.
Just like Germany, France also has border controls in place with all of its neighbouring Schengen countries. The internal controls of France are set to last until April 2025.
The other member states that have border controls in place will also keep such restrictions in place until the second quarter of the year.