THE HAGUE – October 6, 2026 | The Dutch Daily
Border surveillance in the Netherlands changed on 1 October 2026. From that date the border surveillance at the Dutch internal borders takes place under the widened and renewed framework for Mobile Security Monitoring (Mobiel Toezicht Veiligheid, MTV), Minister Van den Brink of Asylum and Migration announced on 24 September 2026. The temporary internal border controls that were introduced at the end of 2024 ended on 30 September. The Royal Netherlands Marechaussee (KMar) gets more room and flexibility to act against illegal migration.
Key facts
- 1 October 2026: border surveillance continues under the widened MTV framework.
- 30 September 2026: the temporary internal border controls introduced at the end of 2024 end.
- Who: the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee (KMar), with the same capacity as before.
- Where: MTV checks can take place in a wider area around the borders with Belgium and Germany.
- How: checks are information- and risk-driven; not all traffic entering the Netherlands from Belgium or Germany is checked.
- Aim: act against illegal migration and cross-border crime, including human smuggling.
In this report
Border surveillance: what changed on 1 October
Since 1 October 2026 the border surveillance at the internal borders is based on the widened and renewed framework for Mobile Security Monitoring. This is the regular surveillance at the internal borders with a renewed legal framework. According to the minister, the cabinet will “continue to act undiminished against illegal migration and cross-border crime, such as human smuggling”. He calls the MTV “a solid and lasting alternative to the temporary internal border controls”. The government adds that the switch also responds to concerns expressed by border-region municipalities, entrepreneurs and residents of the border region.
Timeline of the border surveillance change
- End of 2024: the temporary internal border controls are introduced.
- 24 September 2026: Minister Van den Brink of Asylum and Migration announces the switch to the widened MTV framework.
- 30 September 2026: the temporary internal border controls end.
- 1 October 2026: border surveillance takes place under the widened and renewed MTV framework.
The minister calls the new framework regular surveillance at the internal borders with a renewed legal framework. The government says the KMar can use it to act against illegal migration and that the surveillance also contributes to fighting cross-border crime, including human smuggling. In short: the capacity stays the same, but the area, the hours and the flexibility of the checks are widened.
Temporary controls vs MTV
| Temporary internal border controls (until 30 Sept 2026) | Mobile Security Monitoring (from 1 Oct 2026) | |
|---|---|---|
| Introduced | End of 2024 | Widened and renewed framework |
| Area | — | Checks can take place in a wider area around the borders with Belgium and Germany |
| Capacity | Royal Netherlands Marechaussee | The same KMar capacity, continued |
| Approach | — | Information- and risk-based, flexible in time and place |
The government says that, compared with the temporary border controls, MTV checks can take place in a broader area around the borders with Belgium and Germany. The KMar can therefore decide, on the basis of information and risks, where, when and which vehicles are checked.
The widened rules
The new rules widen the possibilities for checks:
- The maximum number of aircraft and trains that may be checked is changed to percentages, so that the surveillance can grow with future developments in passenger numbers.
- The maximum number of hours that may be checked on roads and waterways in the border region with Belgium and Germany is increased.
- As a result the KMar can check more vehicles: cars, lorries, buses, aircraft, trains and boats.
Why flexible border surveillance checks
The widened framework gives the KMar more flexibility to respond to the changing methods of human smuggling networks. Because checks can be deployed more flexibly in time and place, the surveillance becomes less predictable for these networks, and they can less easily adapt their routes and planning to the checks and so avoid the surveillance.
Ordinary border traffic and border surveillance
In carrying out the checks, the starting point remains that ordinary border traffic suffers as little hindrance as possible. Not all traffic that enters the Netherlands from Belgium or Germany is checked: checks are information- and risk-driven. In this way targeted internal border surveillance remains possible while the impact on residents, entrepreneurs and cross-border workers in the border region is limited as much as possible.
What it means for you
- If you cross the Belgian or German border: the government says not all traffic is checked and that checks are based on information and risk.
- If you live or work in the border region: the government says the starting point is that ordinary border traffic suffers as little hindrance as possible.
- What is not specified: the announcement gives no exact locations, hours, percentages or numbers.
Frequently asked questions
Do the temporary border controls still exist?
No. The temporary internal border controls introduced at the end of 2024 ended on 30 September 2026.
What replaces them?
Border surveillance under the widened and renewed framework for Mobile Security Monitoring (MTV), from 1 October 2026.
Will everyone be checked at the border?
No. According to the government not all traffic from Belgium or Germany is checked; checks are information- and risk-driven.
Who carries out the checks?
The Royal Netherlands Marechaussee (KMar), with the same capacity as under the temporary controls.
Which vehicles can be checked?
Cars, lorries, buses, aircraft, trains and boats.
🇳🇱 Dutch Corner
| Dutch | Meaning |
|---|---|
| De binnengrens | Internal border |
| Het grenstoezicht | Border surveillance |
| De Koninklijke Marechaussee (KMar) | Royal Netherlands Marechaussee |
| Mobiel Toezicht Veiligheid (MTV) | Mobile Security Monitoring |
| De mensensmokkel | Human smuggling |
| De grensstreek | Border region |
| De grenswerker | Cross-border worker |
| Illegale migratie | Illegal migration |
Related: our IND appointment guide explains how to book residence-document appointments.
Sources
- Rijksoverheid, 24 September 2026: Kabinet voert nieuwe vorm van toezicht aan de binnengrens in (all facts in this report, including Minister Van den Brink’s quotes)
Free: Netherlands 2027 Money Checklist
Every deadline and number you need before and after 1 January 2027, on two printable pages. Confirm your email and the PDF is yours; we will also email you when the 2027 figures are confirmed.
