The European Union’s member states in the so-called Schengen area are obligated to allow passport-free travel between bloc countries.
But the Danish Ministry of Immigration and Integration announced yesterday that it would be extending its temporary border controls with Sweden and Germany.
The restrictions were first introduced in January last year to control migrant flows on Europe’s borders and as a counter-terror measure in the wake of a host of attacks across the continent.
Immigration and Integration Minister Inger Stoejberg said: “A prerequisite for free movement is that there is control over Europe’s external borders.
“And while we are currently experiencing low entry and asylum rates in Denmark, we must unfortunately note that there is still a great deal of pressure on Europe’s external borders.
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“At the same time, we cannot close our eyes to the serious terrorist threat against Denmark.
“The government has, therefore, considered it necessary that border controls be maintained so far.”
The extension will see controls continue until at least next May, the minister said.
Denmark has notified the European Commission and other member states of its plans this week.
And, in a letter to the commission, Ms Stoejberg argued terrorists were taking advantage of the EU’s open borders.
He warned: “The many failed, foiled and completed terrorist attacks carried out in EU Member States in 2016 and 2017 have demonstrated in all their horror terrorist groups are likely to try to take advantage of deficiencies in our border controls.
“Crossing the external and internal borders of the Schengen area is part of their strategy, which often involves preparing attacks in one Member State from the territory of a neighbouring member state.”
Denmark has previously refused to comply with calls from Brussels to relax its restrictions, insisting Europe’s frontiers are out of control.
Although free movement is a key plank of EU policy, last month the commission proposed allowing further temporary border controls inside the bloc if required to deal with a crisis.
Germany, Austria and Norway had all introduced similar restrictions to deal with a growing number of migrants in November 2015.
The EU has taken in more than 1.7 million people from the Middle East and Africa since 2014.
But after an influx in 2015, numbers have gone down steadily following a 2016 deal that closed the route from Turkey to Greece.
The EU has also stepped up support for Libya to curb arrivals in Italy.