People Smugglers Adopt New Tactic at Hungarian Border

Despite the decline in migration along the Western Balkans route, illegal migrants continue to attempt mass crossings at the Serbian–Hungarian border. According to an analysis by the Migration Research Institute, migrants have changed strategy: they now travel in small, hidden groups while smuggling networks have reactivated in the region. Authorities report signs of disorganization in some areas, while activity is increasing elsewhere.

Illustration (Source: Nur Photo/Guillaume Pinon)

According to recent observations, migrants are arriving in a more disorganized manner, which provides authorities with more opportunities to apprehend groups. There have also been changes in entry points 

and in the directions of inland movement on the Hungarian side.

A Hungarian journalist based in Subotica (Szabadka), who has closely followed events in the region since the 2015 migration crisis, recently reported that migrants are now rarely seen in Subotica or other settlements on the Serbian side of the border. According to his experience, irregular migrants are now typically being transported directly to the border area from Belgrade or southern Serbia, avoiding 

the days- or weeks-long group movements that were previously common in and around Subotica.

During a field survey in spring 2025, the journalist checked many former camps, which now stood empty and abandoned. Only a few temporary resting spots indicated recent migrant presence, evident from discarded documents, airline ticket stubs with recent dates, and fresh garbage. He also noted that Afghan smuggling organizer groups have practically disappeared from the region.

Movement in the Forests

A local forester working along the wooded strip of the Serbian–Hungarian border—a zone regularly involved in illegal crossing attempts—reported continued significant illegal migration and smuggler presence.

In early June, he detected three separate migrant and smuggler groups in the forest. 

In the central part of the border forest, the “313s” were active, while another group used the area around an abandoned mining site called Tozegbanya. Further west, on the Serbian side of the border, Moroccan migrants set up camp. In mid-June, the forester observed increased migrant activity and noted a minor fire, likely caused by embers left behind and reignited by the wind.

Furthermore, abandoned, derelict customs and agricultural buildings, as well as uninhabited family homes on the Serbian side of the border—previously known hotspots—are once again serving as temporary shelters for migrants. A The Telegraph article from early June 2025 also confirmed this, reporting the phenomenon based on on-site information.

Cover photo: Illustration (Source: Nur Photo/Guillaume Pinon)