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The Czech Republic experienced a substantial decline in illegal migration last year, with police recording significant decreases across all categories.
A total of 9,461 individuals were detected in connection with illegal migration, marking a year-on-year drop of 4,437 people, or 31.9 percent.
Of these, 9,159 were found residing in the country without proper authorization, while 302 individuals were caught illegally crossing the external Schengen border, according to Josef Urban, spokesperson for the Foreign Police, who reported the figures on Wednesday.
Nationalities and Transit Patterns
The most frequently represented nationalities among those detected in 2024 were citizens of Ukraine, Moldova, and Vietnam, who together accounted for nearly two-thirds of all recorded cases of illegal migration.
โOf the total, 420 individuals were intercepted as part of transit-related illegal migration, a dramatic decrease of 4,322 people, or 91.1 percent. The majority of these cases involved nationals of Syria and Turkey,โ Urban stated.
Germany remained the most commonly cited destination for those traveling illegally through the Czech Republic. The country continues to function primarily as a transit point rather than a final destination for migrants, as most individuals do not seek international protection in the Czech Republic and instead aim to continue their journey to Germany.
International Cooperation and Border Security
According to police, strengthened international cooperation in border security has contributed to reducing migration pressure along the so-called Western Balkan route. The total number of people using this route declined by 72 percent, dropping to 21,520.
โThese measures have played a crucial role in curbing transit migration through the Czech Republic. As a result, it was not necessary to temporarily reinstate border controls with Slovakia in 2024, unlike in 2022 and 2023. Meanwhile, Germany continues to enforce border controls along the Czech-German border,โ Urban noted.
Document Fraud and Smuggling Cases
Efforts to curb illegal migration also targeted document fraud and smuggling operations. In 2018, Czech authorities prosecuted 11 individuals for organizing or facilitating illegal border crossings. Additionally, 288 individuals were caught presenting irregular travel documents, with the most common offenders being citizens of Syria, Vietnam, and Moldova.
The latest data underscores the effectiveness of ongoing enforcement measures and international cooperation in managing migration flows through the Czech Republic. While the country remains a key transit hub, improved border security and diplomatic efforts have significantly reduced the number of illegal crossings and unauthorized stays.
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