Germany extends land border controls with Austria through November 11

Border controls doesn't necessarily mean a closed border. Even in normal times, many countries have controlled borders but people can (relatively), easily pass across with the correct paperwork such as a passport. For instance between Canada and USA or France and Britain. At present there are additional controls which, in effect, mean some borders are closed to all but essential travellers, even within the Schengen zone. However, extending controls for months doesn't necessarily mean the same rules will continue to apply for the whole period - in the case of Austria the longer controls seem more about stopping undocumented migrants - the same as controls used a few years ago. Still, time will tell.

I've updated. Really hard to interpret and would welcome some informed details. Will returning Germans still be required/expected to self quarantine for 14 days etc? Any forthcoming decisions for other countries beyond 12 May will help.

I think this will become more frequent in the future if virus outbreaks occur again - and may this is not such a bad thing. Some borders between the Netherlands and Germany have also become more difficult to pass as some German mayors have viewed the relatively relaxed lockdown rules here as a threat to their own health and safety precautions.

The past few years the EU has had a difficult time keeping their concept of open borders. First migrants now COVID. What the notice means is that Germany will override Schengen for a few months and exercise their sovereign rights to control access into and out of the country. What that means for tourism is yet to be seen.

Yes, as Nick, TigerBull and James have said, this probably is more a “checking documents” kind of border control than a “completely close the border” thing.

The best site for info would be the German and Austrian websites of their Interior Ministry and their Foreign Affairs Ministry. If they are like France, they will also have the pertinent language posted on their sites in English as well as in their own language.

What do you mean James? The Schengen agreement allows EU member states to close borders in case of emergencies so there's no question of "overriding" anything.

I did see in one article the extension was based on Articles 25 to 27 of the Schengen Borders Code. I'll admit I have not read the code, but something to put on my COVID 19 list.

tigerbull1986; it does, but it encourages the opposite. In both the migrant issue and the beginning of the COVID there was a lot of push back from the EU. I followed it in both instances. There were some very good discussions on both sides of the issue.

I think you mean the EC rather than the EU - and that hasn't stopped individual member states from dealing with this current situation as they see fit. That's why there are wildly different approaches to both the migrant and covid situations in - for example - the Netherlands and France. Whereas my family members in France are required to stay at home (i.e. total lockdown) in the Netherlands we are currently celebrating King's Day and people are outside having barbecue's...

That's good to hear. I just remember all the flack some countries took when they closed their borders to migrants. And I saw s little of the same when Austria set up checkpoints.

Border controls doesn't necessarily mean a closed border.

Regrettably, right now it means just that. And when tourist travel to Austria will be possible again has not yet been decided, as the responsible Austrian minister Mrs. Köstinger said in a press release yesterday.

We are nevertheless optimistic that we will be able to spend our usual two weeks in Illmitz at Lake Neusiedl in September.

Germany extends worldwide unnecessary international tourism travel warning until at least 14 June 2020 (29 April 2020).
https://www.schengenvisainfo.com/news/germany-extends-international-travel-warning-until-june-14/

To be honest unneccessary international travel will be the last thing that is allowed to resume its just too hard to control

I have been told by travel vendors in two non-EU European countries that their borders will be fully open July 1st. If true, excellent news.

James E, please come back to the forum and tell us about your next trip in Europe as you may be one of the first to make it there. We are hoping for a trip to France with RS in October (a long shot) or Crete instead.

Hi Tammy, Ive made a few posts. I just got tired of every question of travel on the forum being answered with

Its impossible until 2021 (probably not true)
How do you feel about a 14 day quarantine (probably not a requirement when travel is permitted)
Do you understand you will be killing people (no comment)
Trump is a fool (huge no comment)
The US was so reckless they wont want you (no comment is becoming a stock answer)
Everything will be closed (not true today, much less when the borders open)
And the ever so popular, hydrochlorquin will kill you (I took it about 30 years ago, recommended back then for some parts of the world. I'm alive)

Travel wont happen for many until the EU opens its borders to the US and the US to the Eurozone. I didnt read all of the proclamations but the last one I did read only closed the US border from the EU and the UK; and didnt include US citizens. So unless something has changed that I missed (and i might have), getting back from Europe is doable at this time. The only problem is in the reverse.

The EU is such that I would not be surprised if it was the last to open to the US so I've been looking elsewhere. I love Eastern Europe anyway so that's not exactly a hardship. But to find a comparable to France wouldnt be easy in the East. Me? There is a pretty extensive non-EU region with good fishing and a few days in a river with a fly rod would be a most excellent trip. So as soon as one of the will accept me, I am off. I would also do Budapest, even with a 14 day quarantine comparable to the US quarantines, but that's up to the EU.

I intend to remain positive; but positive isnt popular here.

When the borders are open, and I have my tickets, I will post the trip.

Thanks for asking.