A recent survey conducted across 23 EU member states indicates a significant majority of Europeans advocate for their national governments to regain control over border management, particularly in addressing the challenges of migration. According to the poll, which gathered responses from 11,714 participants, 71% of individuals concurred that “the European Union needs to allow member states much greater control of their own borders, so that countries can better manage immigration.”
Shifts in EU migration strategy amidst rising skepticism
The poll results underscore a growing skepticism toward the EU’s existing migration coordination, an issue historically marred by disputes and finger-pointing among member states. This sentiment emerges as Brussels is actively pursuing substantial reforms aimed at enhancing the protection of the EU’s external borders and providing increased support to countries that bear the brunt of migrant arrivals.
However, the potential shift from EU-level coordination to a national focus on border control raises concerns regarding the future of the Schengen area, Europe’s hallmark passport-free travel zone. Comprising 25 countries, 24 of which are EU members, the Schengen zone has pledged to eliminate internal border checks. While temporary reintroduction of border controls is permitted in response to serious threats, such measures are intended to be limited to six months, with the possibility of extension up to two years.
Ongoing challenges and government responses
Since 2025, 12 EU nations have informed the European Commission of their implementation of temporary border controls, with eight countries citing migration as a primary rationale. Some nations have maintained border checks for extended periods, indicating a persistent challenge in achieving unified migration management within the bloc.
EU ministers convened recently in Cyprus to address strategies aimed at curbing migration across internal borders to safeguard the Schengen agreement. Cypriot Justice Minister Costas Fytiris emphasized that the survival of the check-free travel zone “relies on trust and shared responsibility.” This notion of shared responsibility has been a contentious point in EU migration discussions, as it weighs the burdens faced by countries primarily receiving migrants, such as Italy and Greece, against the effects of secondary movements to other EU nations.
Migration Commissioner Magnus Brunner pointed out that the solution lies in balancing responsibility for border management with solidarity from member states impacted by secondary movements. However, the quest for a cohesive EU-level approach to immigration management continues to be fraught with disagreement about the obligations of individual countries.
Support for frontline states like Italy and Greece could take various forms, including financial aid or the relocation of migrants. Nevertheless, several nations, including Belgium and Sweden, have already indicated they will not participate in relocation efforts. Belgium’s Migration Minister Anneleen Van Bossuyt revealed that the country’s initial solidarity contribution has been reduced to €12.9 million, as discussions continue with Italy and Greece regarding the historical context of secondary movements.
Against this backdrop, Luxembourg has emerged as a distinctive advocate for the Schengen principles, expressing concerns that the intertwined debates surrounding the free-travel area and migration have overshadowed the core ideals of Schengen. Home Affairs Minister Léon Gloden lamented that “Schengen is much more than just migration,” asserting that the pressing issue of secondary movements is not solely a Schengen concern but rather an indication of the need for improved cooperation and stronger controls at external borders.
Gloden also criticized migration-related checks on Germany’s borders that have created significant traffic delays for thousands of daily commuters into Luxembourg, asserting that the original purpose of the Schengen agreement was to ease the movement of people rather than complicate it.
FGS Global conducted the survey from November 10 to November 23, 2025, ensuring a representative sample from various demographics across the 23 EU nations.