Slovakia and Austria close borders with Hungary: everything you need to know
Slovakia and Austria have implemented significant border restrictions with Hungary due to the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease, a highly contagious illness affecting cloven-hoofed animals. These measures, aimed at containing the spread of the disease, have led to the closure of numerous border crossings and the reintroduction of border controls.
Slovakia’s response
Slovakia has closed 16 border crossings with Hungary and one crossing with Austria as part of its efforts to prevent the spread of foot-and-mouth disease, The Slovak Spectator writes. The closures, effective from 8 April until 8 May, primarily affect crossings in the Bratislava (Pozsony), Banská Bystrica (Besztercebánya), and Košice (Kassa) regions. The decision follows confirmed cases of the disease in several locations near the Austrian border, including Dunajská Streda (Dunaszerdahely) and surrounding areas. The Slovak Ministry of Interior emphasised the necessity of these measures due to the proximity of infected zones to Austria, despite no confirmed cases in Austrian territory.
The outbreak in Slovakia has been ongoing since 25 March, with six confirmed cases in farms located in Dunaszerdahely and nearby regions. The most recent case involved a farm housing 870 bulls near Jurová (Dercsika). Authorities have declared a state of emergency and are conducting rigorous inspections within a 10-kilometer radius of affected areas.
Austria’s measures
Austria began closing certain border crossings with Hungary on 5 April, with restrictions expected to last until 7 May. These closures include key crossings such as Rajka–Deutsch Jahrndorf and Sopron–Baumgarten. Austrian authorities have also implemented disinfection protocols at major border points like Hegyeshalom to reduce the risk of transmission. These measures have caused significant delays, with traffic jams stretching up to six kilometers on motorways leading to Austria, according to Turizmus.com.
Background on the disease
The foot-and-mouth disease first appeared in Germany’s Brandenburg region in January 2025 after decades of absence, TurizmusOnline writes. The outbreak originated in a water buffalo farm, leading to immediate containment measures such as animal culling and transport bans. While Germany regained its “foot-and-mouth disease-free” status by March, neighbouring countries remain vigilant due to the potential for cross-border transmission.
Impact on border traffic
The closures and enhanced inspections have disrupted travel and trade across affected borders. Long queues have formed at remaining operational crossings like Hegyeshalom and Rajka, where disinfection procedures are slowing traffic flow. Authorities are urging travellers to plan their routes carefully and expect delays.
Lists of border crossings where traffic has been suspended
From midnight on 8 April, passenger and vehicle traffic have been suspended at the following border crossing points with Slovakia:
- Rajka (Schengeni Street/Ady Endre Street) – Dunacsúny
- Neszmély – Dunaradvány (ferry transport)
- Ipolydamásd – Helemba
- Letkés – Szalka
- Bánréve – Sajólénártfalva
- Rárospuszta – Rárós
- Drégelypalánk – Ipolyhídvég
- Őrhalom – Ipolyvarbó
- Aggtelek – Gömörhosszúszó
- Abaújvár – Kenyhec
- Kéked – Abaújnádasd
- Hollóháza – Eszkáros
- Alsóregmec – Alsómihályi
- Karos – Bodrogszerdahely
- Nagyrozvágy – Nagygéres
- Zemplénagárd – Nagytárkány
- Ráróspuszta – Rárós
The following crossing points with Austria are planned to be closed to passenger and vehicle traffic until 7 May:
- Rajka – Németjárfalu (Deutsch Jahrndorf)
- Rajka – Miklóshalma (Nickelsdorf)
- Várbalog-Albertkázmérpuszta – Féltorony (Halbturn)
- Várbalog – Féltorony (Halbturn)
- Jánossomorja – Mosontarcsa (Andau)
- Kapuvár (the road to the Andau Bridge) – Mosontarcsa (Andau) Bridge
- Kapuvár (the road to the Wallern Bridge) – Valla (Wallern) Bridge
- Sopron – Sopronkertes (Baumgarten)
- Ágfalva – Somfalva (Schattendorf)
- Ágfalva – Lépesfalva (Loipersbach)
- Sopron (Görbehalomtelep) – Szikra (Sieggraben) (Urak asztala/Herrentisch)
- Sopron (Brennbergbánya) – Récény (Ritzing) (Ilonaakna/Helenenschacht)
- Harka – Sopronnyék (Neckenmarkt)
- Harka – Sopronkeresztúr (Deutschkreutz)
- Nagycenk – Sopronkeresztúr (Deutschkreutz)
- Sopronkövesd – Fülesd (Nikitsch)
- Zsira – Fülesd (Nikitsch)
- Zsira – Locsmánd (Lutzmannsburg) road border crossing point
- Zsira – Locsmánd (Lutzmannsburg) (Thermal baths)
- Zsira – Locsmánd/Szőlőhegy (Lutzmannsburg/Rebberg)
- Olmód
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