Hungarian border barrier
In 2015, Hungary built a border barrier on its border with Serbia and Croatia. The fence was constructed during the European migrant crisis (see timeline), with the aim to ensure border security by preventing illegal immigrants from entering, and enabling the option to enter through official checkpoints and claim asylum in Hungary in accordance with international and European law. The number of illegal entries to Hungary declined greatly after the barrier was finished as it effectively abolished the entry to Hungary.
| Hungarian border barrier | |
|---|---|
Déli határzár | |
| Hungary | |
The border barrier at the Serbo-Hungarian border | |
Border barrier in operation or natural barrier: river (Serbian and Croatian border)
Planned border barrier (part of the Romanian border)
Hungary—operator of the barrier
EU and Schengen member states that assist in barrier operation [i.e. the "Visegrád Group"]
Other EU and Schengen member states
EU member states not yet implementing the Schengen Agreement
Non-EU, Non-Schengen states
Associated Schengen members | |
| Type | Border barrier |
| Height | 4 metres (13 ft) |
| Length | 320 kilometres (200 mi) |
| Site information | |
| Owner | Hungary |
| Operator | Hungarian Defence Force |
| Controlled by | Hungary In cooperation with the Visegrád Group: Czech Republic Poland Slovakia In further cooperation with: Turkey |
| Site history | |
| Built | 2015 |
| Built by | Hungarian Defence Force |
| Materials | Concertina wire |
| Events | European migrant crisis |
Following an increased influx of asylum-seekers and migrants into the Schengen Area despite the Dublin Regulation, Hungary stated that the EU was "too slow to act", and started construction of the barrier in June 2015. According to BBC News, "many of the migrants currently in Hungary have been refusing to register there, in order to continue their journeys to Germany before seeking asylum". Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán commented: "Our job is only to register them". The barrier was completed in September. Later, Hungary constructed barriers on minor sections of the Croatian border that are not separated by the Drava river.