Slovenia will maintain temporary controls at its borders with Croatia and Hungary for a further six months – until 21 June 2026.
According to the government in Ljubljana, the decision is based on the persistently high level of security threats in Europe and increasing pressure along migration routes. The move may affect the flow of goods in the region, although the authorities say they will work to minimise disruption to transport.
The details of the decision were published by the Slovenian Ministry of the Interior, citing Article 25a of the Schengen Borders Code.
Why has Slovenia extended the controls?
The Slovenian authorities stress that the European Union is currently surrounded by instability and conflict, and that the level of terrorist threat remains high. Since Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, EU member states and candidate countries have faced destabilisation and various forms of hybrid threats. Tensions in the Middle East and the risk of illegal arms trafficking, which could be used for terrorist attacks or organised crime, also remain significant for regional security.
Ljubljana further highlights the activities of criminal groups facilitating the movement of migrants through the Western Balkans, including “unsupervised departures from reception areas and accommodation centres”, which it considers a serious threat.
Controls extended until June 2026
The government has decided to maintain border controls with Croatia and Hungary from 22 December 2025 to 21 June 2026. According to the statement, this is a “necessary and proportionate measure due to the established level of threat”.
The authorities do not expect the security situation to improve in the coming months. An additional risk factor is Italy’s hosting of the Winter Olympics in February 2026, which requires heightened preventive measures across the region.
“Targeted but not paralyzing controls”
The Slovenian police will carry out targeted controls focused primarily on countering terrorism, extremism and cross-border crime. At the same time, the government stresses that these controls will be implemented in a way that does not significantly slow the movement of goods or disrupt the daily lives of residents in border regions.
Border-control activities will therefore follow the principle of proportionality, aiming to avoid negative impacts on travellers, economic cooperation or the environment.
