Determining the "least immigrant-friendly" countries involves looking at both government policy and social integration data. In 2026, Hungary is frequently cited due to its "zero-tolerance" approach to asylum seekers and strict border fences. The government has historically used strong anti-immigrant rhetoric, and obtaining permanent residency is notoriously difficult for non-EU citizens. Poland and the Czech Republic also rank lower on integration scales like the Migrant Integration Policy Index (MIPEX), often due to restrictive labor market access and social conservative views regarding non-European migration. Northern countries like Denmark have also moved toward some of Europe's strictest laws, including the "jewelry law" (allowing the seizure of asylum seekers' assets) and a "zero asylum" goal. In these nations, while the infrastructure is modern, the legal path to citizenship is long, and social surveys often indicate a lower level of public support for multiculturalism compared to nations like Portugal or Spain, which are statistically more welcoming to newcomers.