Slovenian Government Ends Border Checks with Croatia and Hungary

The Slovenian government has decided to lift the temporarily reintroduced border controls at the internal borders with Croatia and Hungary. This decision, announced by Minister of the Interior and Public Administration Franci Matoz and Acting Director General of the Police Danijel Lorbek, aims to enhance security through more effective police measures.

Background and Decision

Minister Matoz stated that the government has opted to discontinue border checks at the internal borders with Croatia and Hungary. Instead, border control will be conducted through different, more effective police measures. The lifting of border checks is intended to improve security by allowing the police to change their approach to surveillance of these borders, ensuring greater effectiveness on the ground. This will involve random checks based on risk analyses and the implementation of compensatory measures, primarily on the most important and highest-risk transit routes.

Rationale and Implications

The decision comes in response to a dramatic increase in the number of migrants on the Western Balkan migratory route. Targeted measures are expected to be more effective in preventing illegal border crossings and other forms of crime. By lifting internal border checks, the government aims to reduce the workload on police stations and ensure a greater patrol presence on the ground. Additionally, this move is anticipated to ease the flow of travelers and cross-border freight traffic on Slovenia’s already overburdened roads.

Compliance with European Commission Recommendations

The government’s decision aligns with the European Commission’s recommendations regarding the necessity and proportionality of Slovenia’s reintroduction of border control. The Slovenian authorities will notify European Union member states and institutions of this decision.

Implementation of the Pact on Migration and Asylum

Regarding the Pact on Migration and Asylum, which becomes fully applicable on 12 June 2026, Minister Matoz indicated that Slovenia is substantively prepared for its implementation. Key strategic and operational documents have been adopted, and measures have been taken to ensure organizational and procedural preparedness. However, a key challenge remains in the legislative framework, as a draft act to adequately regulate the implementation of the pact within the Slovenian legal system has not been adopted by the pact’s entry into application.

Operational Changes

Acting Director General of the Police Danijel Lorbek announced that the police would cease carrying out checks at internal borders at midnight. This means that police officers will leave border crossing points, adjust traffic signs to allow unimpeded passage, remove all equipment, and resume work in their original units. The police will compensate for the checks with compensatory measures along the state border and inland.

The lifting of border checks is expected to free up more police officers to carry out other tasks, including the implementation of the Pact on Migration and Asylum, as the number of illegal border crossings has increased by more than 60 percent this year.

For more details, refer to the official announcement: Government lifts checks at borders with Croatia and Hungary