Date: 28.08.2026.
Source: APC
Photo: APC

 

Reception Center (RC) Preševo: During this week, a very small number of people stayed in the reception center, around 30 individuals per day. Most were persons relocated from EU border areas or those apprehended by Serbian border police before or after a pushback (the unlawful return of persons outside the readmission agreement) from Hungary.
A continued trend is observed in which refugees avoid approaching the center independently and requesting accommodation in the Preševo reception center. According to statements from persons accommodated in the center, the reason is fear of police conduct, including the possibility of being denied access to accommodation, police violence, and/or pushbacks to the territory of North Macedonia.
Poor hygiene conditions remain present, including bedbugs, unpleasant odors in rooms, and a large number of mosquitoes during the evening hours.

Reception Center (RC) Bujanovac: The situation in the reception center remains unchanged; up to 15 persons reside in the center.

Southern Border – North Macedonia / Serbia
According to statements from persons on the ground, refugees entering Serbia from North Macedonia avoid requesting accommodation in the Preševo reception center. Based on accounts from accommodation users, refugees on the ground, and field observations, part of the people, after entering Serbia, attempt to continue their journey toward Belgrade as quickly as possible, and then toward Serbia’s northern border with the EU.
An illustrative example is the case of a single mother with two minor children (all from Afghanistan), who, after entering Serbia with the help of smugglers, was transported directly to Belgrade, where she spent two nights in a forested area. She then continued her journey toward the northern border with the EU with the help of smugglers, attempted to cross into Hungary, was apprehended, and unlawfully returned to Serbia over the fence.

Southeastern Border – Bulgaria / Serbia
Bulgaria remains the dominant entry route for undocumented refugees entering Serbia. After crossing, smugglers typically organize transportation toward Belgrade and then toward Subotica, where refugees attempt to cross into Hungary, or toward Šid, where they attempt to continue transit toward Slovenia and enter Croatia.
Illustrative testimonies come from F. H. (2000) and M. R. (2004), from Afghanistan, who entered Serbia from Bulgaria together with around 20 migrants. They crossed the border on foot and then continued by vehicle to Belgrade. From the Belgrade bus station, they continued by bus to Subotica, where they attempted to cross the Hungarian border during the night.
J. R. (2007), A. H. (2002), and B. A. (2005), also from Afghanistan, reported entering Serbia from Bulgaria together with 12 migrants. According to their statements, part of the journey was spent hidden in a truck trailer, after which they reached the bus station in Niš. From there, they continued by bus to Belgrade, where they spent one night before being apprehended by the police.
They reported paying approximately €7,600 per person for the journey from Turkey to Serbia via Bulgaria.

Northern Border – Serbia / Hungary
There is a noticeable practice of smugglers abandoning migrants along the border zone without organizing the crossing over the Hungarian fence. In two cases, persons reported waiting for extended periods for organized crossing or transportation, then being left without further instructions, food, or water, hidden in the border area for several days.
A. Z. from Afghanistan spent six days with a group in a forested border area near Subotica, waiting for smugglers who were supposed to organize a crossing attempt. After several days, the group ran out of food and water. When they went to search for supplies, they were found by Serbian border police, detained, and relocated to southern Serbia.
Another group from Afghanistan reported waiting for a smuggler’s vehicle on Hungarian territory for three days. When the vehicle did not arrive, they voluntarily approached Hungarian police. After several hours of checks, they were handed over to Serbian police and returned to Serbia.

Apprehensions and Detention in the Border Area
Multiple reports indicate the existence of a garage‑like facility near the Horgoš border crossing, where persons are held for several hours after apprehension before being relocated to southern Serbia.
Omer from Afghanistan stated that Serbian police held him for two days in a space he described as a “garage” used for detention in the Horgoš area.

Official data from Hungarian police continue to show a significantly lower number of persons returned from Hungary compared to the actual situation on the ground, as well as a very small number of persons prevented from attempting to cross the Hungarian fence.
Between 24–28 August 2026, Hungarian police reportedly pushbacked a total of 53 persons from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, India, Egypt, Morocco, Palestine, Syria, Turkey, and Jordan.
At the same time, 57 persons were prevented from crossing. Notably, on 26 August 2026, Hungarian police prevented a total of 50 persons from crossing in a single day.

Smuggling Fees
Smuggling fees on the route from Turkey to Serbia ranged approximately between €3,000 and €8,500, with higher prices generally reported by Afghan nationals (€6,500–€8,500) compared to nationals of North African countries (€3,000–€6,000).