Czechia and Poland have prolonged border controls with Slovakia until November 22.
Czechia and Poland have chosen to prolong internal border controls with Slovakia until November 22. This measure, initially implemented on October 4 of the current year, was prompted by a surge in the detection of irregular migrants at these borders.
The Department of Communications of the Czech Ministry of the Interior, in a statement issued on November 1, highlighted that the border checks with Slovakia will persist for an additional 20 days, following a coordinated approach with neighboring states.
Border controls with Slovakia are implemented as part of measures to safeguard internal borders, with coordination among neighboring states. Inspections are conducted randomly and adjusted according to the evolving situation.
Ministry of the Interior of Czechia
The Ministry has not ruled out the potential extension of border controls beyond November 22, depending on the prevailing circumstances. Poland has similarly taken this step, declaring an extension of border control validity until November 22, surpassing the initial expiration date of November 2. Originating on October 4, Warsaw initiated controls, citing a "serious threat of illegal immigration on the Polish-Slovak section of the state border." Initially intended for one week, the measure was prolonged until November 2, despite asserting positive outcomes.
Recent weeks have witnessed a surge in internal border controls within the supposed border-free zone, driven by an increase in irregular migrants moving from eastern Schengen to the west. On November 1, France extended its border controls at all internal borders, citing new terrorist threats and the external borders situation as grounds for this necessity. Initially set to expire on October 31, these controls have been in place for several years.
Sweden will also extend internal border controls at all internal borders on November 12 due to the Islamist terrorist threat. Austria currently maintains border controls with Hungary and Slovenia, citing pressures on the asylum reception system, high migratory pressure at the EU's external border with Turkey and the Western Balkans, the threat of arms trafficking, criminal networks due to the war in Ukraine, and human smuggling. Initially set to expire on November 11, the authorities have already announced plans to prolong it for an additional six months.
Border controls between Slovenia and Croatia, as well as Hungary, are in effect until at least November 19, 2023. Other Schengen zone countries with current border controls include Denmark and Germany, and Germany and Austria, all grappling with a significant influx of irregular migrants. Slovakia, for instance, claims to have detected around 24,500 undocumented migrants from the beginning of the year to the end of August, in contrast to the fewer than 11,000 recorded throughout the entirety of 2022.