As the conflict between Israel and Iran intensifies, several Central European countries have launched evacuation operations to bring their citizens home from Israel. The escalating military exchanges, including Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear and military sites and retaliatory missile and drone attacks from Iran, have triggered closures of Israeli airspace and widespread concern among foreign nationals in the region.
Slovakia led the initial wave of evacuations, with its first plane carrying 73 passengers—including Slovaks, Poles, Czechs, Austrians, Slovenians, and others—landing in Bratislava on Monday. A second flight is scheduled to follow on Tuesday and Wednesday to bring back additional nationals . The Czech Republic also repatriated its citizens, sending a flight with 66 evacuees to Prague . Hungary saw seven of its citizens evacuated with Slovak assistance, while Poland is organizing flights via Jordan and Egypt to return approximately 200 Polish nationals
Beyond the initial evacuation flights, Poland, Lithuania, Portugal, and Cyprus have announced efforts to evacuate their own citizens from Israel, reflecting the broader concern in Europe over the expanding conflict. Greece, for example, evacuated 105 individuals—Greeks and citizens from 15 other countries, including Sweden, Germany, Italy, and France—from Sharm el-Sheikh to Athens using C-130 and C-27 aircraft. Meanwhile, Taiwan assisted 14 of its citizens in leaving Israel via Jordan.
The European Union has mobilized to support member states under its „crisis clause,” coordinating safe passage and humanitarian assistance. Germany and Italy are considering all possible options, ranging from chartered flights to convoys through Egypt, Azerbaijan, and Turkey . Poland, for instance, is facilitating evacuation by sending its diplomats through Baku to assist staff in Tehran, while Italy has deployed land convoys to safely move citizens from Iran
The urgency of these evacuations has been underscored by disruptions across the region. Tehran has seen thousands fleeing the capital following warnings that up to 330,000 residents must evacuate ahead of possible airstrikes . Israeli airspace remains closed, forcing evacuations to reroute through neighboring countries such as Jordan and Egypt . In the meantime, Israel has begun repatriating its own citizens, initiating flights from Cyprus to Tel Aviv
Under growing pressure, multiple national governments are urging citizens to maintain contact with their embassies and follow local guidance. Ireland reports nearly 200 of its citizens in Israel and around 30 in Iran, with some already evacuated and others awaiting assistance
These coordinated efforts by Central European governments and the wider EU reflect a rapid diplomatic and logistical response to the heightened threat posed by the Israel–Iran conflict. With airspace closures and increasing civilian risk, safe corridors, chartered flights, and land routes have become essential for ensuring the safety of foreign nationals caught in the crossfire.
