The push by EU Migration Commissioner Magnus Brunner to phase out internal border controls reflects a growing consensus that the temporary measures of the past two years have outlived their purpose. Proponents of this view argue that the Schengen Area is one of the European Union’s most significant achievements, and its erosion through permanent-style temporary checks undermines the economic and social integration of the bloc. By maintaining these barriers, member states are not only creating unnecessary friction for millions of daily commuters and freight transporters but are also signaling a retreat from the core principles of European unity.
From a practical standpoint, the data supports a shift in policy. With the implementation of the new EU asylum reform and a 37 percent reduction in irregular border crossings, the justification for emergency measures has weakened. Supporters of the Commissioner’s stance emphasize that modern, technology-driven border management—such as the new Entry-Exit System—provides sufficient oversight at the EU’s external borders. This allows for a more strategic approach that protects the bloc without the need to choke internal traffic flows.
Furthermore, the economic impact of these controls cannot be ignored. Businesses that rely on just-in-time supply chains and workers who cross borders daily are bearing the financial and personal costs of these delays. By advocating for a return to open borders, Commissioner Brunner is championing a more efficient, competitive, and integrated European economy. This perspective holds that member states should trust the newly established EU-wide frameworks and prioritize the long-term benefits of free movement over the short-term political optics of national border checks.