Illegal migration in the Czech Republic has slightly increased in 2025. Between January and September, over 8,000 people were found without valid residence permits – around 14 per cent more than in the previous year. At the same time, however, the number of transit migrants has fallen significantly.
The number of cases of illegal migration on the territory of the Czech Republic rose during the first nine months of 2025. According to current data, a total of 8,128 people were detected for illegal migration between January and September – 1,005 more than during the same period last year, representing an increase of 14.1 per cent.
While both illegal residence and illegal entry across the external borders of the Schengen Area have increased, migration linked to transit continues to show a sharp decline of 63.6 per cent. It now accounts for only 1.4 per cent of all illegal migration.
The vast majority of detected cases involved foreigners staying in the country without authorisation – a total of 7,823 people, or 96.2 per cent of all cases. Illegal entry across the Schengen Area’s external borders was recorded in 305 cases (3.8 per cent).
In the total number of detected illegal migrants between January and September, nationals from Ukraine, Moldova and Vietnam dominated. Together, they accounted for 64 per cent of all cases and mainly led the category of illegal residence. In contrast, citizens of Georgia, Uzbekistan and Moldova were most frequently recorded for illegal border crossings over the Schengen Area’s external border.
Transit migration at a low level
Almost half of the transit migrants came from Syria, followed by significantly smaller groups from Turkey and Iraq. Most named Germany as their destination country; other countries played only a marginal role.
Despite the slight overall increase, the picture remains mixed: while illegal residence within the country continues to expand, transit migration has fallen markedly – an indication of the impact of strengthened border controls and international cooperation.
