Austria extends border controls with Czechia, Slovakia, Hungary and Slovenia for six months

Austria has extended internal border controls at its frontiers with Czechia, Slovakia, Hungary and Slovenia for another six months, the government announced on 15 September 2026. The decision is presented as part of efforts to strengthen the fight against human trafficking and to further curb illegal migration.

The Austrian armed forces will continue to assist border security in the eastern state of Burgenland, where, officials noted, two people were detained last week after crossing the frontier illegally.

Coordinated checks across Schengen

Vienna says the measures are being coordinated with neighbouring capitals. Officials also pointed out that several other EU and Schengen countries are operating internal border checks, including Germany, the Netherlands, France, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Italy, Poland and Spain.

Commenting on the decision, Austrian Interior Minister Gerhard Karner said: "The European pact on asylum will lead to further development of protection of the EU's external borders, but additional measures are still needed at Austria's borders. The aim is to remove human traffickers and criminals from circulation and to make daily commuting to work easier as much as possible for people from neighbouring countries who work in Austria," emphasised Austrian Interior Minister Gerhard Karner.

Authorities describe the extension as a temporary security measure tied to migration and trafficking risks, and say it is intended to balance tighter controls with facilitating legitimate cross-border travel for workers.

Photo: press material from the event