Danish government seeks greater power over EU border control laws

The current laws governing mobility between EU countries don’t reflect reality, says minister

Denmark has allied itself with Austria, France, Germany and Norway on a new proposal that, if accepted, will make it possible for border controls to be in place between EU Schengen countries for up to four years.

READ ALSO: Denmark pushing to extend border controls

The proposal was sent to the European Commission ahead of a meeting of the ministers for justice and home affairs held in Brussels today, Ekstra Bladet reports.

“It would be a very, very great advantage if we had more flexibility when it comes to imposing border controls – and also the possibility of keeping them in place longer when there is a need for them,” explained the integration and immigration minister, Inger Støjberg.

Two more years
The proposal suggests that members of Schengen ought to be able to impose border controls for two years, but that this can be extended for an extra two in extraordinary circumstances.

The present legislation only allows for a six-month period in cases when there are threats of terrorism or up to two years in extraordinary circumstances.

There have been border controls in place at the Danish-German border since January 4 last year, and since then the period has been extended several times. However, on September 6, the EU migration commissioner, Dimitris Avramopoulos, warned that further extensions would not be granted.

READ ALSO: EU: Border controls must be ended as soon as possible

Getting real
Støjberg feels that countries should be able to implement controls when they feel like it and keep them as long as they want to.

“It’s not as if the threat of terror stops within three months. We live in the real world, and that’s what we are trying to reflect through border controls,” she said before the meeting.

It seems to work
Up until now, according to Støjberg, 4,300 people have been turned back at the German-Danish border.

“With regard to Denmark, there’s no doubt that border controls have played a really big part in reducing the number of asylum-seekers.”

According to the Udlændingestyrelsen immigration service, in 2015 there were 21,316 people seeking asylum in Denmark. In 2016 the number fell to 6,266. Figures for the first seven months of 2017 show a further dramatic reduction to 1,918.




  • Today is 10 years from Copenhagen terrorist attack

    Today is 10 years from Copenhagen terrorist attack

    On February 14 and 15, the last terrorist attack took place in Denmark. Another episode occurred in 2022, but in that case, there was no political motive behind it

  • Enter Christiania: how the Freetown works

    Enter Christiania: how the Freetown works

    We all know Christiania and have been there at least once. But how does the Freetown work? How are decisions made? Can a person move there? Is there rent or bills to pay? British journalist Dave Wood wrote a reportage on Christiania for The Copenhagen Post.

  • The struggles of Asian women in Denmark’s labour market

    The struggles of Asian women in Denmark’s labour market

    Isha Thapa unfolds her research “An Analysis on the Inclusivity and Integration of South Asian Women in High-Skilled Jobs within the Danish Labor Market”. Thapa describes the systemic and social challenges these women face, ranging from barriers in social capital to cultural integration.

  • Parents in Denmark reject social media monitoring 

    Parents in Denmark reject social media monitoring 

    Most parents in Denmark reject using social media parental controls despite knowing about them. A new study questions the effectiveness of these tools in ensuring children’s online safety.

  • Analysis: we need a different education system for international children in Denmark

    Analysis: we need a different education system for international children in Denmark

    Data analyst Kelly Draper Rasmussen highlights that Denmark sees peaks in international migration during early childhood and high school years. However, with only one international education option, many families are forced to leave to secure different opportunities for their children.

  • Danish Refugee Council to lay off up to 2,000 staff

    Danish Refugee Council to lay off up to 2,000 staff

    After the anticipation from The Copenhagen Post, a press release by DRC has confirmed the plan to lay off thousands of employees in response to the recent halt of foreign aid spending by the Trump administration.