220,000 euros per day

Smugglers as a “cost trap”

Almost 40 smugglers were caught in 2024 and more than 5,000 refugees were registered. There are currently up to 350 apprehensions per week.(Bild: Schulter Christian, Krone KREATIV)

"Far too many asylum applications": The SPÖ is pushing for strict measures against illegal immigration, which has risen sharply in recent weeks. 70 percent of inmates in Eisenstadt prison are smugglers.

Burgenland has passed the strictest asylum law in the country in terms of basic care", according to the provincial parliament. Tougher rules now apply to asylum seekers. SPÖ party chairman Roland Fürst explains the background: "By the end of November, 23,113 asylum applications had been made this year. That is far too many."

"A burden on the social and judicial system"
Austria is still in 8th place in the EU, with 207 asylum applications per 100,000 citizens, well above the European average of 167. "We have therefore called for an upper limit of 10,000 asylum applications per year, but the current figure is far higher," says the SPÖ party leader. He is pushing for measures against illegal migration. Almost 700 people smugglers have been arrested in Burgenland since 2022, with many serving long prison sentences. There were 1500 smugglers across Austria. "This is an enormous burden on our social and justice system. 1,500 traffickers cost the state around 220,000 euros per day," emphasizes Fürst.

Roland Fürst compares the asylum figures.(Bild: Grammer Karl)

The Eisenstadt prison (175 places) was overcrowded with up to 230 inmates, 70% of whom were smugglers. As the number of apprehensions is rising again, Fürst reiterates the call for prisons at the EU's external borders.