The Netherlands follows Germany and others in bringing in extra border checks

Amidst rising asylum applications, the Dutch government has implemented additional border checks

The Netherlands has joined Germany and other European countries in implementing stricter border controls due to the influx in asylum applications.

The Dutch government announced that it would be conducting additional checks at the borders with Belgium and Germany, which took effect on Monday, 13th February 2023.

The decision was made following discussions between Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, as both countries look to address the increasing number of asylum applications.

According to the Dutch government, the extra checks are intended to "prevent illegal immigration and human trafficking".

The Netherlands is facing an asylum application surge

In recent months, the Netherlands has witnessed a significant rise in the number of asylum applications, primarily from people fleeing war and persecution in Syria, Afghanistan, and Turkey.

According to the Dutch Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND), the country received over 50,000 asylum applications in 2022, the highest number since 2015.

The influx of asylum seekers has put a strain on the Netherlands' asylum system, leading to longer waiting times for processing applications and a shortage of accommodation for asylum seekers.

Germany and other European countries have also tightened border controls

The Netherlands is not the only European country to implement stricter border controls in response to the rising number of asylum applications.

Germany, which received over 240,000 asylum applications in 2022, has also increased border checks and deployed additional police to its borders.

Other European countries, including Austria, Denmark, and Sweden, have also implemented stricter border controls in recent months.

The EU is working on a common approach to migration

The European Union (EU) is working on developing a common approach to migration, including measures to address the challenges posed by asylum seekers.

In December 2022, the European Commission proposed a new migration pact that would strengthen the EU's external borders, improve the asylum system, and create new legal pathways for migrants.

The pact is currently being negotiated by EU member states, and it remains to be seen whether it will be adopted in its current form.