Filipinos cautioned amid tighter border control in Schengen area

By Marita Moaje, Philippine News Agency

The DMW said the duration and scope of such controls are limited to what is necessary to address the identified threat. (File Photo: Department of Migrant Workers/Facebook)

MANILA – The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has advised overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), including Filipino tourists staying and traveling in the Schengen area, to take precautions as some countries in Europe impose stricter border controls.

Advisory No. 02 series of 2025 issued by DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac states that several countries within the Schengen area have temporarily reintroduced border controls in response to security threats, as permitted under the Schengen Borders Code (SBC).

“Pursuant to the European Parliament and European Union Council Community Code on the rules governing the movement of persons across borders otherwise known as the Schengen Borders Code (SBC), the EU Member States are allowed to temporarily reintroduce border controls at internal borders in response to serious threats to public policy or internal security,” read the advisory dated Feb. 6.

“The public and OFWs in Europe are reminded to exercise caution in crossing borders within the Schengen Area and to always have in their possession their valid passports, visa or residence permits, and other pertinent documents when traveling.”

Cacdac said affected nations include Denmark, Norway, Slovenia, and Sweden, which have implemented stricter border measures, including increased surveillance, rigorous checks on cross-border trains, permanent police stationing, and the exploration of facial recognition technology.

Additionally, several other European Union states sharing borders with Switzerland have also reinforced border controls for specific periods.

These include Austria imposing border control from Oct. 16, 2024 to April 15, 2025; France, from Nov. 1, 2024 to April 30, 2025; Germany, from Nov. 12, 2024 to March 15, 2025; and Italy, from June 19, 2024 to Dec. 18, 2025.

The DMW said the duration and scope of such controls are limited to what is necessary to address the identified threat.