Slovenia sees a decrease in overall irregular migration, but Syrian entries skyrocket.
This shift in migration patterns comes as the country adapts its border policies and processing facilities.
Fewer irregular migrants, more Syrians
Recent data from Slovenian authorities shows a 4% decrease in irregular migrants entering the country during the first seven months of 2024 compared to the same period last year.
Police registered 25,786 irregular migrants, down from 26,860 in 2023.
However, the number of Syrian nationals entering Slovenia irregularly has risen dramatically.
In 2023, only 723 Syrians were registered. This year, that number jumped to 8,720 - a more than tenfold increase.
Other nationalities see declines
While Syrian entries increased, other nationalities saw significant drops:
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Afghans: Down by nearly a third to 3,711
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Moroccans: Fell from 3,924 to 1,972
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Bangladeshis: Decreased from 2,581 to 1,354
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Pakistanis: Dropped from 2,731 to 1,017
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Russians: Declined from 2,159 to 514
Turkish nationals were an exception, with their numbers rising by 120% to 2,186.
(Image courtesy of Javier Losa via Wikimedia Commons)
Border control and processing
The Novo Mesto Police Department, responsible for most of the eastern border with Croatia, handled 83% of all recorded illegal entries. This area is part of the Balkan migration route.
To manage the flow of migrants, Slovenia opened a new processing facility in August 2024. Located at the former Obrezje border crossing near Croatia, it can accommodate up to 100 people at a time.
Migrants typically spend only a few hours there before being transferred to asylum centers.
Asylum applications and resolutions
Despite the overall decrease in irregular migration, the number of people expressing intent to request international protection in Slovenia remained high.
In the first seven months of 2024, 24,805 individuals declared this intention — a 3% decrease from the previous year.
However, actual asylum applications fell by 18% to 3,073. Of the 3,619 cases resolved during this period, only 129 were approved.
As of August 14th, 2024, 574 asylum seekers were living in Slovenian asylum centers, with an additional 1,177 individuals with approved protection status residing in the country.
(Image courtesy of katemangostar via Freepik)
Smoother border crossings to Slovenia
The decrease in irregular migration may lead to smoother border crossings for short-term visitors to Slovenia and neighboring EU countries.
However, the surge in Syrian arrivals could prompt increased scrutiny for travelers from certain regions.
As the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) is set to launch, these migration trends might influence how the system is implemented.
Travelers from visa-exempt countries may face additional questions or checks related to their travel plans and intentions.
A call for coordination
The changing migration patterns in Slovenia could spark discussions about EU-wide immigration policies.
The significant increase in Syrian arrivals may lead to calls for more coordinated efforts to manage refugee flows from conflict zones.
EU countries might also reassess their approach to asylum processing and border control.
Slovenia’s new migrant processing facility could serve as a model for other member states looking to streamline their procedures while maintaining security.
EU migration is changing
As migration patterns continue to evolve, EU policymakers must balance humanitarian concerns with border security, potentially leading to new initiatives and collaborations across the bloc.