Criminal activity and the illegal migration of foreign nationals to the Czech Republic
Abstract:
This article examines the number of foreign nationals in the Czech Republic, the development of illegal migration and criminal activity committed by foreigners, based on data collected by the end of 2024. At the end of 2024, the proportion of foreigners with permanent or long-term residence represented 10.02% of the Czech population. Compared to 2023 and especially 2022, the year 2024 saw a further decline in detected illegal migration. A total of 9,461 illegal migrants were detected in 2024, primarily due to transit migration. The percentage of foreigners among the total number of recorded offences increased by 1.1% to 12.1%, and among the number of persons prosecuted by 0.2% to 12%. However, this figure cannot be directly compared with the aforementioned proportion of foreigners in the Czech Republic's total population, as it only includes foreigners with long-term or permanent residence permits, not tourists or those on short-term stays. Criminal activity by foreign nationals in the Czech Republic is predominantly carried out by men and middle-aged people. The structure of crime committed by foreigners has remained relatively stable over the long term, with so-called residual crime becoming predominant. Between 2022 and 2024, foreign nationals were most frequently prosecuted for endangerment while under the influence of addictive substances, and for obstructing official decisions. The prison population serving unconditional sentences continues to be dominated by those sentenced to shorter terms, although their proportion is gradually decreasing.
Author
Scheinost Miroslav
ISBN
ISBN 978-80-7338-226-1 (online/pdf)
Edition
Edition series KONTEXTY
Year of publication
2025
Keywords
foreigners in the Czech Republic, illegal migration, crime committed by foreigners