The number of illegal border crossings at the EU’s external borders reached its highest level since 2016 last year, with Germany being particularly affected. The Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) warns that smugglers are becoming increasingly reckless and dangerous.
In 2023, illegal migration to Europe surged, with Germany being the primary destination. According to the BKA, approximately 380,200 unauthorized border crossings were recorded at the EU’s external borders, the highest figure since 2016. The previous year had 326,300.
Germany remains the top destination
In 2023, the BKA alone recorded 266,224 entries or people residing illegally in Germany, marking a 33.4% increase compared to the previous year. The central Mediterranean and eastern Mediterranean routes saw more crossings, while the Western Balkan route was less frequently used. The majority of migrants came from Syria (54,207), Turkey (35,732), and Afghanistan (35,370).
Around 39,700 of the migrants were suspected of being smuggled. Smugglers are operating with increasing disregard for safety, often under life-threatening conditions. Smuggling operations were mainly organized through messaging services like Telegram and WhatsApp.
