Poland Extends Restrictions on Its Borders with Germany and Lithuania Until March 2027

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

Poland had imposed temporary border controls in July 2025, similar to actions taken by other governments in the European Union, and then extended them until October 1, 2026.

The ministry stated in a statement that since the re-imposition of border controls, 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 statement said, "Border restrictions are an effective tool to limit illegal immigration. Extending them allows for dealing with immigration pressures and enhancing border security."

In a related context, Polish Deputy Defense Minister Cezary Tomczyk said on Monday that Polish fighter jets and helicopters will be able to shoot down foreign aircraft detected in the country's airspace, according to defensive measures typically taken in wartime.

This step is part of the latest measures aimed at strengthening Poland's defenses, a member of NATO and the European Union, as the war in neighboring Ukraine approaches its fifth year, and amid increasing warnings from Kyiv's allies about the rising threat of Russian drones.

Tomczyk stated that such a change would allow "the pilot or operations commander to make the decision to shoot down a foreign aircraft based on radar data or other information received by the system."