A new survey from the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK Trier) shows growing dissatisfaction with Germany’s ongoing border checks at entry points from Luxembourg. According to the report, around two-thirds of local companies want these controls to end — many of them immediately.
The German government reintroduced stationary border checks in September 2024, aiming to curb irregular migration. Initially intended as a short-term measure, the policy has now been extended twice and is currently scheduled to remain in place until March 2026.
Losses hit key sectors in the Trier–Luxembourg region
The IHK surveyed 60 companies between 6 and 12 October. Despite not claiming statistical representativeness, the results point to notable economic pressure:
- Nearly 50% report negative impacts from the controls
- 14% face severe revenue losses
- 29% face moderate losses
The hardest hit sectors include:
- Retail — fewer customers crossing the border
- Logistics — delayed transport and delivery schedules
- Services — reduced footfall and longer commuting times
With more than 50,000 German commuters working in Luxembourg, the daily cross-border movement is essential to the region’s prosperity.
“We need smart solutions, not broad checks”
IHK Trier chief executive Jennifer Schöpf-Holweck criticized the current approach as damaging to trust and mobility in the Schengen area. She warns that checks are causing traffic bottlenecks in commuter traffic and supply chains, discouraging cross-border shoppers and even undermining 40 years of Schengen cooperation.
“Our businesses want intelligent systems rather than blanket controls,” Schöpf-Holweck said.
Possible alternatives highlighted in the survey include:
- Digital identification for low-risk commuters
- Fast lanes for locally registered vehicles
- Focus on EU external borders rather than internal crossings
Security vs. economic freedom: a balancing act
Border controls are not part of the original Schengen model, which relies on free movement within participating countries. The German Interior Ministry argues that action remains necessary due to continued high numbers of unauthorized entries. However, local leaders warn that longer-term measures could harm regional cohesion and weaken businesses already facing high costs and labor shortages.
As political debate continues, companies in Trier hope for clear timelines and a strategy that protects both security and economic stability — without leaving border communities to shoulder the burden.
