Philippine Migrant Workers Department Warns of Stricter Schengen Border Controls

The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) in the Philippines has issued a warning to Filipino workers and tourists in the Schengen area to be vigilant due to heightened border security measures implemented by several European countries. According to DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac’s Advisory No. 02 of 2025, these measures are a response to security concerns and are permissible under the Schengen Borders Code (SBC). The advisory, released on February 6, explains that the European Union allows member states to temporarily reinstate border controls at internal borders when faced with significant threats to public policy or internal security. Filipinos in Europe are urged to be cautious when crossing borders within the Schengen Area and to carry valid passports, visas, residence permits, and other necessary documents at all times. Countries such as Denmark, Norway, Slovenia, and Sweden have introduced tougher border controls, including enhanced surveillance, thorough checks on cross-border trains, permanent police presence, and the potential use of facial recognition technology. Additionally, Austria, France, Germany, and Italy, which share borders with Switzerland, have also tightened border controls for specified periods ranging from October 2024 to December 2025. The DMW emphasized that these controls are limited in duration and scope, designed only to address the specific threats identified.