Abstract:

The evolving role of the European borders necessitates policy revisions due to escalating security costs and the imperative for effective management. Physical barriers built by nations alone are insufficient for border security, as evidenced by European practices. On the other hand, the European Union allocates billions of dollars to border security itself, with Frontex, the EU’s border agency, receiving a substantial portion of the border security budget. The budget has increased by over 150 times in the past two decades, primarily driven by migration crises and the COVID-19 pandemic. The EU encounters intricate challenges in managing its internal and external borders. Despite the EU funding, member states have independently implemented border security measures, including temporary closures, additional security services, and the construction of fences and walls. While some countries have constructed walls, illegal border crossings have persisted, indicating the uncertainty surrounding their effectiveness. The paper aims to present the complexity of the border security system in the EU, both its central and national part, and its impact on illegal migration flows.