"The checks in the current shape will be cancelled," Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala told journalists, French news agency Agence France Presse (AFP) reports.

However, random checks by police would remain, he said.

The Czech government said it is dropping the checks because the number of migrants crossing that border has reduced. Interior Minister Vit Rakusan told national public radio the checks had been costing the country $1 million per month (about €926,150).

The Czech Republic began its checks in October, along with several other countries in the region, including Slovakia, Slovenia, Austria, Poland and Germany. The Czech Republic extended its current checks on January 4 until February 2. Most other countries have been renewing the checks on a ten-day to monthly basis.

Border checks gradually being phased out

In early January, the German news agency dpa reported that Slovakia intended to phase out its border checks with Hungary from January 22, because according to the Slovak Interior Minister, the situation was "relatively calm and stable." He did say, however, that "major problems" could arise again once the weather starts to warm up.

Other countries prolonged checks for the next three to six months. In December, Germany said it would continue temporary checks at its borders with Poland and the Czech Republic until at least March 15 this year.

According to the European Home Affairs website, the checks between the Czech Republic and Slovakia were due to run out on February 2.

Some states renew controls until at least May 2024

The checks were originally introduced in response to increased activity at the border late last fall.

The Slovakian authorities had registered an increase in the numbers of migrant arrivals throughout 2023. Most of those arriving were "young men from the Middle East and Afghanistan," Reuters reports. Many had journeyed along the Balkan Route from Turkey and Greece in hope of heading west to countries like Germany.

Poland’s temporary checks with Slovakia are due to run out today (February 1). Austria’s checks with Slovakia and the Czech Republic are due to run out on February 3 and February 16, respectively.

Austria has renewed its border checks with Slovenia and Hungary until May 11.

Border controls within Schengen

Temporary border controls within the Schengen zone are allowed, but states have to explain the reasoning behind them. If allowed, the checks can only be renewed for short periods of time.

The Schengen area was designed to be a borderless zone where goods and people could pass through freely. However, since 2015, when more than a million people -- mostly from Syria -- arrived in Europe, some states have reinstated almost continual checks to try and control who arrives in their country.

Humanitarian workers who help migrants at the borders have been reporting far fewer arrivals in the colder winter months, but expect the routes to get busier in spring.

With AFP, Reuters and dpa