EU MIGRANTS
Migrants sleep under a bridge near Belgrade's main bus and train station, in Serbia. Tens of thousands of migrants from the Middle East and Africa are using the Balkan route to enter the EU, passing from Greece into Macedonia and then Serbia on their way to Hungary. REUTERS/Marko Djurica

A large number of migrants to the EU are now choosing the land route through Greece to enter Hungary and cross into western Europe.

The shift was evident in the first half of the year with about 79,000 illegal migrants crossing into Greece from Turkey, according to Frontex, the European Union's border watchdog agency. An equal number undertook the sea route to Italy.

Most continued into Hungary which has seen almost 80,000 illegal crossings this year, prompting the government to set up a barbed fence along its border with Serbia.

The migrants from Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya largely want to just pass through to Germany and western EU nations, but Hungary is not taking a chance with around 1,000 migrants arriving on foot daily.

It began construction of a temporary 13-foot razor wire fence along the 175 km Serbian border two days ago, in what government officials call the "only immediate solution".

Work on the fence will take place at 10-12 locations simultaneously along the border, AP reports.

Public and political sentiment has been strong against the refugee influx with Hungary receiving more asylum applications than any other EU state.

Border crossings a 'crime'
Hungary plans to make illegal border crossings a crime, as opposed to a minor offence in order to stem the arrivals, according to the prime minister's office.

The government set off an anti-immigrant billboard campaign and a questionnaire to voters that linked migration with terrorism.

It will set up temporary tent camps in rural areas for asylum-seekers and close down its regular migrant housing.

Hungary has also passed legislation allowing it to turn away migrants by declaring neighbouring countries, such as Serbia, to be "safe".

The land route is less expensive and dangerous than the sea route and with changed visa rules in Saudi Arabia and Iran as also the tight border vigilance in Bulgaria more migrants are opting for the passage through the western Balkans.

Italy being full and the economic crisis in Greece is propelling the refugees further northward from Turkey to Hungary in the EU's passport-free Schengen zone. Once there, they can move freely across most internal EU borders.

The price paid to reach the Hungarian border varied from $1,000 to more than $4,000 per person, reports NYT.

Resistance to the migrants, many of whom are Muslim, has been growing in the EU, especially after the recent terrorist attacks. Some right-wing parties have not flinched in suggesting locked up camps for refugees.

"Obviously, we would prefer if they didn't enter the country," said Bela Incze of the HVIM an ultra-nationalist group that seeks a "Greater Hungary". "But if they are here, they shouldn't be allowed to meander without supervision. The authorities should take them to designated camps, which should be locked up."

More about EU migrants