Illegal Migration in the Czech Republic Rises Slightly – Transit Migration Remains at a Low Level

The Czech Foreign Police recorded a slight increase in cases of illegal migration during the first half of 2026. The vast majority involved people staying in the country unlawfully, while transit migration through the Czech Republic remained at a low level.

In the first half of 2026, the Czech Foreign Police recorded a total of 5,358 cases of illegal migration. This represents an increase of 5.9 per cent, or 300 people, compared with the same period last year. As the Czech Police announced on its website, the overwhelming majority of cases involved people staying unlawfully in the Czech Republic, for example by overstaying their permitted period of residence.

A total of 5,158 people, or 96.3 per cent of all recorded cases, involved illegal residence. More than three-quarters of those concerned were nationals of Ukraine, Moldova, Vietnam, Uzbekistan, Georgia or Russia.

At the Czech Republic's external Schengen borders, particularly at airports, 200 people were detected. These were mainly nationals of Georgia, Moldova and India.

Transit Migration Remains Low

The police recorded 169 cases of transit migration during the first half of the year, accounting for 3.3 per cent of all illegal migration cases. Germany was the most common destination country, with 141 of those concerned intending to continue their journey there. Russian nationals (103 people) and Afghan nationals (39 people) were identified most frequently.

Although transit migration increased by 225 per cent compared with the previous year, the Foreign Police stressed that the absolute figures remain very low and that the development therefore has only a limited impact on the security situation in the Czech Republic. The increase was observed primarily during the first quarter, while the figures declined again in the second quarter. A similar trend has also been observed in neighbouring countries.

Foto: Policie ČR | X (Twitter)

Two Main Routes Identified

According to the authorities, the majority of transit migration followed two different routes.

On the one hand, the police recorded an increase in overland migration via the so-called Western Balkans route. Russian nationals in particular travelled from Croatia via Hungary, Slovakia or Austria and the Czech Republic onwards to Germany.

On the other hand, Afghan nationals in particular used intra-European flights from Greece. In total, 40 people, including 35 Afghans, entered on flights within the Schengen Area using inadequate or forged documents.

Preventive Measures Show Results

In response to the increased misuse of flight connections from Athens, the Czech Foreign Police deployed its own document and migration expert to the airport in the Greek capital on 1 March 2026. According to the police, the measure produced results quickly. While 27 people were detected in January after arriving from Greece without valid residence permits, the authorities recorded no such cases at all in June.

Foto: Policie České republiky | X (Twitter)

More Checks Across the Country

The Foreign Police further expanded its inspections during the first half of the year. Officers carried out a total of 96,862 residence checks, an increase of 13 per cent compared with the previous year. During these inspections, 274,929 foreign nationals were checked. In addition, the police inspected 15,982 accommodation establishments and 9,415 business premises across the Czech Republic.