What is the Centre for Police and Customs Cooperation (CCPD)?

The CCPD is a coordinating institution between the police and customs authorities of two countries, created to facilitate the exchange of information and the joint management of border controls. In the case of the Jans-Dobrindt meeting on 31 August 2026, Switzerland and Germany are considering whether to create a CCPD at their common border, or whether to transform the existing liaison office in Basel to carry out this function. The aim is to improve the fight against transnational crime and irregular migration through the exchange of information in real time.

Who is Beat Jans and what is his role in Swiss border management?

Beat Jans is the Swiss Federal Councillor for the Department of Justice and Police, responsible for security, migration and border policy. As a member of the Federal Government, he chairs international negotiations on these issues and represents Switzerland in dialogues with neighbouring countries, as confirmed by the meeting of 31 August 2026 with the German Minister of the Interior Alexander Dobrindt, held in Chiasso.

What are the benefits of an intensified Switzerland-Germany cooperation on security?

Enhanced cooperation enables faster exchange of information between the Swiss and German authorities, speeding up checks at crossings and reducing waiting times. It also facilitates the coordinated fight against cross-border crime and irregular migration. According to the meeting of 31 August 2026, the decline in illegal stay detentions and asylum applications already demonstrates the effectiveness of collaborative measures.

What is the EU Compact on Migration and Asylum, and how does it affect Switzerland?

The EU Pact on Migration and Asylum is a European law that entered into force on 12 June 2026, aimed at coordinating the management of migration between the countries of the Union. Although Switzerland is not an EU member, it remains indirectly influenced by European regulations due to its geographical proximity and economic interdependence. Ministers Jans and Dobrindt expect this Pact to have further positive effects on the migration policy of the two countries.

When will the changes at the Switzerland-Germany borders come into effect?

According to the communiqué of 31 August 2026, the creation of the CCPD and the possible conversion of the Basel office are still under evaluation. No official implementation date has been communicated. The operational details will be disclosed when the bilateral negotiations between the Swiss and German Governments are concluded.

Jans and Dobrindt: CH-Germany border cooperation (cross-border guide)

Di Redazione Frontaliere Ticino · Published on 31 August 2026

Swiss-German border crossing with customs control and Alpine landscape

August 31, 2026: Chiasso. Federal Councillor and German Minister agree on strengthening cross-border cooperation. Proposal for a Police-Doganale Cooperation Centre. Asylum and stops are decreasing.

Context

In short

Jans-Dobrindt meeting in Chiasso for cross-border security cooperation
Proposal for creation of Police-Customs Cooperation Centre at CH-Germany border
Arrests for illegal residence and asylum applications continue to decline
EU Migration Pact in force since June 12, 2026

Key facts

What: Agreement on cross-border security and migration cooperation
When: August 31, 2026
Where: Chiasso, Switzerland-Italy/Germany border
Who: Beat Jans (Federal Councillor), Alexander Dobrindt (German Interior Minister)
Proposals: Police-Customs Cooperation Centre (PCCC) or conversion of Basel office
EU Pact: Entered into force June 12, 2026
Trend: Asylum applications and arrests for illegal residence declining

On August 31, 2026, in Chiasso, Federal Councillor Beat Jans met with German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt for crucial discussions on border security and cross-border police cooperation. The meeting, held right at the Swiss border, represented a moment of administrative convergence between the two Governments aimed at strengthening the fight against crime and irregular migration.

During the meeting, the two ministers agreed to examine various options for deepening collaboration. One involves the creation of a Police and Customs Cooperation Centre (PCCC) directly at the border between Switzerland and Germany. The alternative is the conversion of the current liaison office in Basel, already a point of contact between the two countries from which to coordinate joint operations. The stated objective is to improve information exchange between the security authorities of the two States, allowing faster and more coordinated responses to transnational criminal phenomena.

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Operational details

Implications for those who work and reside in Switzerland

The strengthened cooperation between Switzerland and Germany will have direct repercussions on migration management and cross-border mobility. For those who live or work in Switzerland, especially near the borders, this means potentially more efficient procedures at border offices and more thorough control of irregular migration. The decline in detentions for illegal stay and in asylum applications, reported during the meeting, suggests that the measures already in place are producing positive effects. The implementation of a CCPD at the border with Germany, if confirmed, could further accelerate this trend by allowing Swiss and German authorities to coordinate controls in real time and exchange data more quickly.

Effects on the labour market and cross-border mobility

One of the sectors most sensitive to these changes is that of cross-border workers. Switzerland, although outside the European Union, depends on bilateral agreements to regulate the entry of foreign workers. Stricter control of irregular migration, a direct consequence of enhanced cooperation, helps maintain a clear distinction between the regular entry of authorised workers and unauthorised migration. This administrative order is essential to preserve the balance of the national labour market.

For those who regularly cross the border in search of employment or to carry out legitimate work, more efficient border management translates into greater predictability in crossing procedures. The Swiss labour market remains open to regular foreign workers, but CH-Germany cooperation reinforces the filtering mechanisms against crime and illegal employment.

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Key points

Who needs to stay informed and why

The organisational changes described in the 31 August 2026 Jans-Dobrindt meeting do not lead to immediate changes in border-crossing procedures for citizens or legal workers. However, anyone who regularly travels between Switzerland and Germany — whether for work, residence, or personal purposes — should stay informed about developments in cross-border cooperation. An operational Police-Customs Cooperation Centre could mean different waiting times at border crossings, as well as coordinated management of border documents and crossing data.

Where to check for official updates

The federal body responsible for border and migration matters is the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM), which publishes official updates on crossing regulations and control procedures. For those who regularly work in Switzerland or are about to cross international borders, it is good practice to periodically check the federal institutional websites so as not to miss information on possible changes to procedures. The Ticino cantonal authorities, especially the Department of the Interior, can provide clarifications on how CH-Germany cooperation concretely affects local mobility and the administrative requirements at borders.

The Federal Government will communicate the operational details of the CCPD — precise location, opening hours, specific competences — as soon as the bilateral negotiations with Germany are concluded. In the meantime, the existing cooperation remains operational, and the downward trend in detentions for illegal stay demonstrates the effectiveness already present in the current mechanisms.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Centre for Police and Customs Cooperation (CCPD)?: The CCPD is a coordinating institution between the police and customs authorities of two countries, created to facilitate the exchange of information and the joint management of border controls. In the case of the Jans-Dobrindt meeting on 31 August 2026, Switzerland and Germany are considering whether to create a CCPD at their common border, or whether to transform the existing liaison office in Basel to carry out this function. The aim is to improve the fight against transnational crime and irr
Who is Beat Jans and what is his role in Swiss border management?: Beat Jans is the Swiss Federal Councillor for the Department of Justice and Police, responsible for security, migration and border policy. As a member of the Federal Government, he chairs international negotiations on these issues and represents Switzerland in dialogues with neighbouring countries, as confirmed by the meeting of 31 August 2026 with the German Minister of the Interior Alexander Dobrindt, held in Chiasso.
What are the benefits of an intensified Switzerland-Germany cooperation on security?: Enhanced cooperation enables faster exchange of information between the Swiss and German authorities, speeding up checks at crossings and reducing waiting times. It also facilitates the coordinated fight against cross-border crime and irregular migration. According to the meeting of 31 August 2026, the decline in illegal stay detentions and asylum applications already demonstrates the effectiveness of collaborative measures.
What is the EU Compact on Migration and Asylum, and how does it affect Switzerland?: The EU Pact on Migration and Asylum is a European law that entered into force on 12 June 2026, aimed at coordinating the management of migration between the countries of the Union. Although Switzerland is not an EU member, it remains indirectly influenced by European regulations due to its geographical proximity and economic interdependence. Ministers Jans and Dobrindt expect this Pact to have further positive effects on the migration policy of the two countries.
When will the changes at the Switzerland-Germany borders come into effect?: According to the communiqué of 31 August 2026, the creation of the CCPD and the possible conversion of the Basel office are still under evaluation. No official implementation date has been communicated. The operational details will be disclosed when the bilateral negotiations between the Swiss and German Governments are concluded.