Austria has decided to extend its internal border controls with Hungary and Slovenia for another six months.
The Ministry of Interior of Austria announced that the border measures, which will be effective from November 12, 2024, through May 2025, are aimed at ending irregular border activities.
While the number of arrests in Burgenland has significantly decreased in recent years, the Ministry emphasized that continued border controls are necessary to combat human trafficking and irregular migration into the country.
Minister of Interior Gerhard Karner echoed this sentiment, stating that the extension of the border controls is a crucial step in the fight against irregular migration to Austria and the wider European Union. This is not the first time Austria has extended its border controls with Hungary and Slovenia; the measures were initially introduced in 2015 and have been periodically extended since.
The most recent extension occurred in May 2024 when Austria prolonged the controls for another six months.
Austria is not the only Schengen country currently maintaining internal border controls. Several other Schengen/EU countries are also carrying out similar measures, including Germany, Denmark, France, Italy, Norway, Sweden, and Slovenia.
Germany reintroduced internal border controls at all its land borders on September 16, 2024, conducting checks on anyone entering the country from neighboring states. On November 1, France also reinstated border controls with all its neighbors, citing the need to tackle irregular migration and enhance national security due to rising terrorist threats.
Additionally, the Netherlands recently announced it will implement border controls starting December 9, 2024. These controls will remain in place for six months, focusing on combating irregular migration and migrant smuggling.
