Almost 2.5 million travellers cleared in 2025 by the Maritime Border Guard

Border traffic growth, temporary controls on the German frontier and offshore driven labour migration defined 2025 operations of Morski Oddział Straży Granicznej in northern Poland. More than 2.246 million travellers were cleared in 2025, marking a 13.5 percent year on year increase across the Pomorskie and Zachodniopomorskie regions as well as parts of Warminsko-Mazurskie. The unit supervises 19 maritime and 2 air border crossing points.

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17 february 2026   |   13:39   |   Source: Gazeta Morska   |   Prepared by: Kamil Kusier   |   Print

fot. Kamil Kusier / Gazeta Morska

– 2025 was a year of intensified operational activity, combining border traffic control with strong measures against irregular migration – said Tadeusz Gruchalla-Wensierski from the press office of the maritime border guard.

Traffic growth concentrated in Gdańsk and Szczecin

The highest passenger volumes were recorded in Gdańsk with more than 1.9 million travellers, followed by Szczecin with nearly 265000. Maritime crossings accounted for over 127000 persons.

Automated border clearance at Gdańsk airport continued to expand. More than 653000 passengers used abc gates, nearly 17 percent more than in 2024.

Vehicle traffic increased sharply. Over 27000 vehicles were cleared, up by 55 percent year on year. Almost one third were processed at maritime crossings, 11728 at airports and 6026 under temporarily restored controls.

Temporary controls on the Polish German border

In July 2025 temporary controls were reintroduced on the Polish German border, requiring rapid deployment of infrastructure, logistics and personnel.

– The scale of preparations was significant. Thanks to coordinated logistics and support from national headquarters, all tasks were completed efficiently and in line with procedures – Tadeusz Gruchalla-Wensierski noted.

Labour inspections reveal structural challenges

The maritime border guard conducted 248 inspections concerning the legality of foreign employment. More than 96 percent resulted in the detection of violations.

Out of over 13000 foreign nationals checked, 2373 were found to have breached employment regulations. The largest groups involved came from Ukraine, Colombia, Indonesia, Georgia and the Philippines. Construction, manufacturing, transport and hospitality remained the dominant employment sectors.

Offshore investment driving migration flows

More than 5000 residence legality inspections were carried out, a 35 percent increase compared with 2024. Over 8500 foreign nationals were checked and more than 2000 were found in violation of entry or residence regulations, a 46 percent year on year increase.

Large scale offshore wind projects on the Slupsk Bank, Central Bank and Odra Bank continue to generate labour demand in northern Poland, attracting workers from Ukraine, Colombia, Georgia, Bangladesh, India and the Philippines.

At the same time migration pressure linked to the situation on the Polish Belarusian border affects secondary movements towards western Poland. The Szczecin unit recorded the highest number of inspections within the maritime border guard structure.

– Dynamic migration processes combined with rapid offshore development require constant operational adaptation. Our priority remains secure borders and efficient handling of legitimate maritime and air traffic – Tadeusz Gruchalla-Wensierski concluded.

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Morski Oddział Straży Granicznej ruch graniczny 2025 kontrole graniczne Polska Niemcy kontrola legalności zatrudnienia cudzoziemców migracja i offshore Polska

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