Why Poland, Hungary and Czechia receive hardly any immigrants

The enigma of immigration in Eastern Europe: why no one comes

Poland, Hungary and Czechia receive hardly any immigrants. The simplest explanation is that they simply don't want them, and there is some truth to that. But the data and the economic context add nuance: the phenomenon is the result of a mix of border policies, economic incentives and cultural factors.

Borders and social attitudes

In these countries, migration policy is explicitly restrictive. The argument is that the native population holds a more hostile attitude towards the arrival of foreigners, and that parties promoting welcoming policies tend to be punished at the ballot box. Unlike other European states, there is no political correctness here that limits public debate on immigration. In addition, social welfare systems are less generous, which reduces the appeal for those seeking economic benefits. A traveller who sailed down the Danube on a cruise reports that in Budapest or Bratislava he barely saw any migrants, in contrast with Vienna. It is only an impression, but it illustrates how safe those cities feel.

Economic and demographic factors

The cold climate and the difficult languages (Hungarian, Polish, Czech) also play a role. But there is a more relevant fact: these countries are growing economically. In purchasing power terms, Czechia, Poland, Lithuania or Slovenia have already overtaken Spain. Portugal stands at 81% of the EU average, the same as Poland two years ago, and Romania or Croatia were growing at 4% while Spain grew at 2% in 2024-25. The uncomfortable conclusion is that Spain, in real purchasing power, now ranks 19th-20th in the EU, despite being 14th in nominal terms.

If the trend continues, these Eastern countries could become more attractive destinations for talent and investment, but the cultural and climate gap will remain a filter. There is no single recipe: it is a combination of politics, economics and society. Only time will tell whether it holds.