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Latest News
Interior Minister Karner says Austria’s 2022 Schengen veto “proved its worth” as illegal crossings plunge 95 %
During a 26–27 May 2026 trip to Romania, Interior Minister Gerhard Karner declared that Austria’s December 2022 veto on Romanian-Bulgarian Schengen membership has dramatically reduced illegal migration and remains the right policy. He cited a 95 % drop in Burgenland apprehensions and vowed to keep Austria’s internal border checks until at least mid-2026, signalling continued scrutiny for business travellers. The statement reinforces Austria’s tough stance as the EU rolls out its new Asylum & Migration Pact and the biometric Entry/Exit System.
‘Smart Border Austria’ event details digital customs corridor with Switzerland, promises 30-second truck clearance
At a 27 May 2026 WKO event in Dornbirn, customs officials unveiled concrete timelines and technical details for “Smart Border Austria,” an automated clearance system that will let pre-declared trucks roll through Swiss crossings in under 30 seconds. The pilot, launching in July, combines EU single-window data with licence-plate readers and RFID seals, promising faster logistics while preserving targeted inspections. Companies trading across the Swiss border should begin linking their ERP systems to the new platform to capture time-and-cost savings.