Austria to Extend Border Controls at Hungarian Border for Another 6 Months
Bad news for travelers heading to Austria: the country has announced plans to extend internal border controls with Slovenia and Hungary for another six months, starting mid-May when the current measure expires.
Austrian Interior Minister Gerhard Karner made the announcement during a visit to the Slovenian border at Spielfeld, stating that the measure is essential to prevent illegal migration and people smuggling. The decision to extend border controls comes after Austria initially introduced them in 2022 and has been extending the restrictions ever since.
The last extension took place in November 2023, with Austria deciding to maintain border controls between Slovenia and Hungary until May 2024. Minister Karner noted that the internal border controls had been effective in deterring smugglers from using Austria as a route or main destination.
Slovenia has expressed opposition to Austria’s decision, arguing that the internal border controls are not in line with EU law and cause delays for EU citizens. Despite Slovenia’s objections, Austria has decided to continue with the border controls until mid-November.
In addition to Slovenia, Austria also maintains internal border controls with the Czech Republic. The Czech Minister of the Interior has stated that these controls have minimal impact on cross-border movement and cause little inconvenience to Czech citizens crossing the border.
Meanwhile, Slovenia has also prolonged border controls on its borders with Hungary and Croatia until June 2024. The decision was made in response to the ongoing security threats in Europe, including the situation in the Middle East and Ukraine, as well as recent terrorist attacks in EU member states. Slovenian authorities believe that illegal migration poses a security risk in the region and that maintaining strict border controls is necessary to address these threats.
Travelers planning to visit Austria should be aware of the extended border controls and plan accordingly to avoid any potential delays or disruptions during their journey.
