Urgent alert! Restrictions implemented on another long Schengen border in Hungary
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Temporary border control has been implemented on another extensive Schengen border of Hungary due to the catastrophic outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD). Although it appears that strict authority measures may have halted the spread of the infection on Hungarian farms—and no new outbreaks have been reported for several days—the Croatian authorities felt compelled to enhance security to protect their livestock.
Another Schengen border affected by FMD
According to police.hu, the official website of the Hungarian police, only two Schengen border crossings—Udvar (Duboševica) and Letenye (Goričan)—may be used by drivers transporting cloven-hoofed animals or products derived from such animals from 15 April onwards, on the Croatian-Hungarian border. Furthermore, at these two entry points, vehicles must undergo disinfection and receive a certificate confirming this.
In addition, mandatory cleaning, washing, and disinfection measures also apply to empty road vehicles used for transporting live animals susceptible to foot-and-mouth disease or raw milk. These vehicles must be disinfected before entering Croatia and must carry official certification. Authorities may request this documentation during road checks.
The good news is that Croatian authorities have not extended such mandatory checks to individuals entering the country. The Hungarian-Croatian Schengen border spans 344.8 kilometres, making it the fourth longest in Hungary.
Austria and Slovakia also introduced restrictions
Previously, Austria and Slovakia introduced restrictions on entry following multiple foot-and-mouth disease outbreaks in Hungary. Austria closed 21 low-capacity border crossings and deployed military personnel near the Hungarian border to assist authorities in conducting mandatory disinfections. As a result, waiting times increased at high-capacity Schengen border crossings, especially during peak hours, due to the large number of Hungarians working and commuting in Austria daily. Austria has not indicated when it will reopen the closed crossings.
