Austrian authorities extend Hungarian border checks due to mafia concerns

Austria is extending border checks along the Hungarian border and other neighbouring frontiers in a continued effort to combat organised human smuggling networks. The move, announced by the Austrian Interior Ministry, underscores growing regional cooperation to address illegal migration and cross-border crime.

Extended checks at the Hungarian border

As Portfolio reports, Austria will prolong its border checks at the Hungarian and Slovenian borders for another six months, starting Monday. The Interior Ministry described the extension as a necessary step to deter the so-called people smuggling mafia. Interior Minister Gerhard Karner emphasised that the goal is to reduce illegal migration to zero, crediting the border controls for a notable drop in the number of illegal crossings.

Military support

Originally introduced in 2015, the border controls involve cooperation between Austrian police and military forces. Soldiers continue to assist at the Hungarian border, alongside increased enforcement at the Czech and Slovak borders since autumn 2023. Austria is also supporting operations beyond its borders, deploying officers to hotspots such as Hungary, Serbia, and the Western Balkans under initiatives like Operation Fox. The Ministry said:

Around 40 Austrian police officers are fighting cross-border crime in Operation Fox.

Decline in illegal border crossings

The Austrian government reports a sharp decline in illegal border crossings, particularly in Burgenland, where only 19 arrests were made in a recent week compared to 3,600 in the same period in 2022.

While in the 41st calendar week of 2022, 3,600 people were arrested in Burgenland, in the 17th calendar week of 2025 only 19 people were arrested.

Officials claim the measures are forcing smugglers to avoid Austria altogether. Karner also welcomed Germany’s decision to intensify its border controls, highlighting the importance of shared action to protect the EU’s external frontiers.

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