Austria Extends Border Controls with Hungary and Slovenia Until May 2025
Key Highlights:
- Austria will maintain internal border controls with Hungary and Slovenia until May 2025.
- The measure aims to combat irregular migration and human trafficking effectively.
- Similar border controls are also implemented by other Schengen countries such as Germany, France, and Sweden.
Austria’s Ministry of Interior announced the continuation of border checks along its borders with Hungary and Slovenia starting from November 12, 2024. The extension of this measure, initially introduced in 2015, reflects the country’s ongoing efforts to curb illegal migration and disrupt smuggling networks the Extension
Interior Minister Gerhard Karner emphasized that these controls have significantly reduced arrests linked to irregular border crossings in regions like Burgenland. He noted the importance of continued vigilance to deter human trafficking and safeguard Austria’s borders. Karner described border checks as a “decisive factor” in combating illegal migration and ensuring national security .
Broader Coria is not alone in enforcing such measures. Other Schengen countries, including Germany, France, and Italy, have also reinstated internal border controls to address challenges ranging from migration to national security concerns. For instance:
- Germany reintroduced border checks at all its land borders in September 2024.
- France reinstated its border measures in November 2024, citing national security risks and increased migration pressures .
The decision aligns wiregulations, which permit temporary border checks in response to extraordinary circumstances such as migration crises or security threats.
