The Polish Border Guard is working closely with the German Federal Police in the process of returning migrants to Poland. Joint patrols are conducted on both Polish and German territory, with officers from both countries involved in the transfer of individuals under the Dublin III Regulation and readmission agreements.
This information was confirmed to Niezalezna.pl by the Polish Border Guard.
Polish-German Border Security Cooperation
The collaboration between the Polish Border Guard and the German Federal Police is based on the 2014 agreement between the governments of Poland and Germany regarding the cooperation of police, border, and customs services.
One key operational center is the Joint Polish-German Border Facility in Pomellen, which includes officers from the Polish Border Guard’s Szczecin station and the German Federal Police’s Pasewalk Inspection Unit.
Joint Patrols and Readmission Process
To understand how this cooperation functions in practice, Niezalezna.pl reached out to the Maritime Border Guard Unit, which oversees a 169-kilometer section of Poland’s land border with Germany.
According to the unit’s spokesperson, joint patrols operate on both Polish and German territory. However, some tasks, particularly those related to readmission and migrant transfers, take place in Germany, as the joint border facility is headquartered on the German side, at the former Kołbaskowo/Pomellen border crossing.
In addition to conducting border patrols, Polish and German officers work together on:
- Combating cross-border crime
- Preventing illegal migration
- Ensuring public safety and order
- Transferring individuals under Dublin III and readmission agreements
- Coordinating extraditions under European Arrest Warrants (EAWs)
Multiple Joint Border Facilities in Operation
This level of cooperation is also evident in other sections of the Polish-German border. The Nadodrzański Border Guard Unit operates three joint Polish-German border facilities:
- Świecko
- Tuplice
- Ludwigsdorf (under the Border Guard station in Zgorzelec)
These centers allow officers from both countries to work side by side, conducting joint patrols and law enforcement actions. Their focus remains on preventing illegal migration, combating cross-border crime, and ensuring public safety.
The cooperation also enables efficient information sharing between both sides, allowing for faster response timesduring operations, such as arrests of suspected migrant smugglers or detentions of individuals illegally crossing the border.
Effects of the Cooperation
Since the beginning of 2024, the number of migrants being returned to Poland under readmission agreements has been increasing. According to the Polish Border Guard:
- Szczecin Border Guard Station received 260 individuals between January 2024 and January 2025.
- Nadodrzański Border Guard Unit processed 507 individuals under the same agreements.
Authorities have observed a notable increase in migrant returns since the start of the year, although it is still too early to release detailed statistical projections.
Stronger Border Enforcement Amid Growing Migration Challenges
The joint Polish-German border security initiatives underscore the increasing pressure of migration in the region. With both border control and law enforcement agencies working together, the goal is to enhance security, prevent illegal crossings, and efficiently process migrant returns under existing legal frameworks.
This collaborative approach reflects a broader European effort to tackle migration-related challenges, as countries face rising numbers of irregular migrants and ongoing concerns about border security.