In recent years, extensive measures have been taken in the fight against illegal migration and tractor mafia. This continuously succeeded in reducing illegal migration. The tractor mafia now avoids Austria and its limits.
Trug mafia avoids Austria
The current number of attacks and the decline in tugs result in the following position: In June 2022, more than 10,700 illegal strangers were taken up nationwide, in June 2025 there were only around 1,100.
The decline in calendar week 28 is clearly noticeable. In 2022 there were still more than 2,300 intervals, in 2025 the number fell to around 350.
While from January 2024 13,634 asylum applications were recorded, 8,637 applications were made in the same period of the year, which corresponds to a minus of around 37 percent.
The number of necessary facilities for basic care could also be reduced: in autumn 2022 there were more than 30 federal care facilities in operation, currently only eight is all over Austria. In Styria, four federal quarters could be closed and savings in the asylum area were achieved.
Partly reduction of the infrastructure in the area of the border control point possible
The location in the area of the border control point in Spielfeld has been stable for several years. Therefore, it is possible to reduce infrastructure that is no longer required in the border area. Four tents in the area of the border control point are broken down. This enables costs to be saved and financial funds that are released can be used in other areas. The container buildings and the retention tent remain for the preparation and implementation of border police focus. This procedure was agreed between Interior Minister Gerhard Karner and the Styrian governor Mario Kunasek and is now commissioned by the Interior Minister.
Reduction of the border infrastructure also in Nickelsdorf
In Burgenland, too, the activity of the tractor mafia and thus illegal migration has been massively back in the past two years. The tractor routes could be displaced, especially to the so-called Balkan coast route. Measures such as Operation Fox in Hungarian territory have an effect – in the course of this development, four tents are also to be broken down in the area of Nickelsdorf border management. The container system and the Halle Ost should continue to be used to prepare and implement border police operations. If necessary, the infrastructure should be able to be raised quickly, and smaller tents are also provided.
Interior Minister Gerhard Karner stated that the fight against the tractor mafia and the illegal migration had to be emphasized with all. The massive decline in this area confirms this path: “A bundle of measures such as national border controls, but also the support of numerous states of the Western Balkans through Austrian police contingents and, last but not least, the increased protection of European external borders according to the Austrian Schengenveto have led to this development.
Governor Mario Kunasek personally got a picture of the situation in a local inspection in March and expressed the desire to reduce the costly tents. From a Styrian point of view, he is all the more satisfied that there is now a solution carried together with the Ministry of the Interior: “The remaining tents at the border crossing at the border crossing were an enormous burden for the region from a tourist point of view. They did not exactly contribute to the embellishment of the landscape. They have been preserved as a symbol of a failed welcome culture in 2015. However, these excessive infrastructure is clearly a wrong signal In addition, the taxpayer is very good for the taxes and, of course of the Federal Army who have given their service here on the border in Spielfeld in recent years, ”emphasized Governor Mario Kunasek.
Deputy Governor Manuela Khom thanked the Interior Minister Karner for the intensive exchange and was pleased that the success in the fight against illegal migration is now also showing visible traces: “I am very grateful to the federal government that it continues to continue their struggle against illegal migration. A struggle that is no longer able to send the border protection facilities in the field The tractor industry a clear sign that it is not tolerated with us and does not pay off in Austria.