In an attempt to prevent the movement of illegal migrants, some European countries have significantly strengthened their border controls in recent days. Austria, the Czech Republic, Poland, and Hungary took such measures in order to limit the number of migrants arriving to their countries from Slovakia.

On October 3rd, the Czech Republic and Poland announced that they will be tightening the checks at the border with Slovakia in order to limit the arrival of illegal migrants and to prevent smuggling activities. All travelers who want to enter these countries must carry essential personal documents such as a passport or an ID card together with them. There are nine border points in Poland through which travelers can enter the country from Slovakia:

• Radoszyce,
• Periwinkle,
• Muszynka,
• Piwniczna-Zdrój – Mnišek nad Popradom,
• Jurgów,
• Chyżne,
• Korbielów,
• Zwardoń – Skalité Platform,
• Leluchów (from October 5th, this point is available only for EU citizens, their spouses, and children).

Austria has taken similar measures to strengthen its border controls. Taking into account all of the aforementioned changes, the Slovak Government declared that it will reintroduce border controls at the border with Hungary up until October 14th.

Since September 26th Germany has also tightened its border controls at the Polish and Czech borders due to the recent sharp increase in the number of asylum seekers arriving in the country. Via these measures, Germany is also seeking to reduce the risk of human trafficking.
 

Keywords: work for drivers, work for long-haul drivers, road bans, border control