Hungary has established itself as one of the most successful European countries in the fight against illegal immigration. In a context where migration flows continue to affect the continent’s stability, the Hungarian government has implemented a comprehensive border control policy based on physical, technological, and legal measures that have drastically reduced illegal crossings. Since January 1st, 2025, Hungary’s southern border with Serbia is its only frontier not shared with a Schengen country, and therefore a crucial containment line for all of Europe.
Europeanconservative.com visited the border and talked with several Police officers about the situation. The official numbers confirm it: between 2022 and 2024, interceptions dropped by more than 95%, while human smuggling cases fell to historic lows. In the face of Brussels’ criticism, Budapest reaffirms its sovereignty and defends order as a non-negotiable condition for any responsible migration policy.
Hungary has become the main containment wall for the European bloc on its southeastern flank. The 174.4 km border with Serbia, historically porous, has been transformed into a model of intelligent surveillance combining vibration sensors, cameras, drones, and a rapid response and patrol system involving special forces, local police departments, and international cooperation, including personnel from Austria and Turkey.
Operational data confirms the overwhelming success of the Hungarian model. In 2022, more than 107,000 illegal immigrants were intercepted; in 2023, that number dropped to 86,334; in 2024, it collapsed to just 4,584. Human smuggling cases, which reached 337 in 2022, fell to only 27 in 2024. The trend continues: between January and April 2025, only 1,356 people were intercepted. These figures are no coincidence: they result from a planned and sustained strategy combining investment in technology, political will, and a clear understanding of the State’s role as guarantor of its citizens’ security.
But not everything is measured in numbers. The human side of border defense also speaks volumes: injured officers, damaged vehicles, and violent attacks by mafia networks. In 2022, 221 attacks against law enforcement were recorded; in 2024, only one. What used to be a chaotic open crossing is now a controlled and respected area, where the State exercises its authority without hesitation.
From the Border Police Command in Csongrád-Csanád County, the message is clear. “The fence is not just a physical barrier but a statement of principle. We cannot allow anyone to enter Europe without control, documentation, or a legal process. We have to protect not only Hungary but the entire Schengen Area. And if someone is truly seeking protection, they must do so in the designated locations—not by jumping a fence in the middle of the night,” states the unit’s commanding officer. He adds that Hungary is willing to examine legitimate asylum claims, but “that must be done through the appropriate centers, not through chaos.”
Despite the evident achievements, Hungary has been under constant criticism from European institutions, NGOs, and Western media. It is accused of building walls in a borderless Europe, of violating supposedly universal norms on asylum and refuge. But Hungary responds with facts: while others talk about abstract values, Budapest protects the concrete lives of its citizens, culture, and identity—and, by extension, those of the rest of the continent.
For Pablo González Gasca, a young Spanish visitor to the area, Hungary’s migration policy is a model to follow:
I found it essential. Despite the pressure from the European Union, Hungary has defended its sovereignty. Over the past two years, they have significantly reduced the assaults due to their tough and effective policies, and we hope that Spain will adopt the same measures. Spaniards must realize that Morocco is not a friendly country. Respect is earned by controlling borders.
Pablo’s message is not an isolated one. An American observer, Fabrice Ambrosini, was also impressed: “It’s incredible what they’ve achieved. In 2015, people were simply walking across. Now it’s not easy anymore. Now it can truly be fought effectively. Orbán and Trump have a good relationship, they can learn from each other—but Hungary is already far ahead.”
Javier Villamor is a Spanish journalist and analyst. Based in Brussels, he covers NATO and EU affairs at europeanconservative.com. Javier has over 17 years of experience in international politics, defense, and security. He also works as a consultant providing strategic insights into global affairs and geopolitical dynamics.
