"Illegal immigration is approaching zero": The Minister of Interior praises the tightening of border control
Austrian Interior Minister Gerhard Karner (ÖVP - Austrian People's Party) expressed his satisfaction with the current situation at the eastern borders of the country, confirming that illegal immigration in the Burgenland region has become 'close to zero.' During a field visit at the border with Hungary in the Deutschkreutz area, the minister clarified that the latest figures clearly show that the new border protection measures are yielding tangible and strong results.
The inspection visit took place accompanied by the police director of Burgenland, Martin Huber, as part of a focused security operation. According to the minister, this success is attributed to a comprehensive package of measures that combine strict enforcement at the national level with close international cooperation, where joint cross-border operations played a crucial role in reducing irregular crossings.
Burgenland has been one of the most affected Austrian regions by illegal immigration in recent years, but the situation has changed significantly. Comparing the number of arrests in calendar week 49 of 2022 with the same week in 2025, the figures show a sharp decline. According to Karner, illegal immigration has been 'almost pushed to zero' thanks to the ongoing and coordinated efforts of the security forces.
Based on these developments, Austria has decided to extend border control measures until at least June 15, 2026. This includes the borders with Hungary, Slovenia, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia. Support for the Austrian Armed Forces (Bundesheer – the Federal Armed Forces) will also continue, while simultaneously shifting towards a more flexible border protection model based on intelligence analysis.
The new concept is based on what is known as the 'control belt' around Austria, consisting of three layers of protection. This includes enhancing measures at the external borders of the European Union, intensifying border monitoring in the Western Balkan countries and at the Austrian-Hungarian border under 'Operation Fox', in addition to priority inspections within border areas and deep into the country in close cooperation with the Bundesheer. According to the Federal Ministry of the Interior (BMI), real-time migration data and risk analysis allow for precise and flexible direction of security personnel and inspections wherever needed.