Šalčininkai border checkpoint on the Lithuanian–Belarusian border have been suspended until 30 November 2025
Lithuanian Government has approved amendments to the Law on the State Border and its Protection, prepared by the Ministry of the Interior, following a decision by the National Security Commission on October 27, 2025.
“With this decision, we’re responding to recurring incidents involving smuggling balloons coming from Belarus, which pose a threat and disrupt civil aviation. This isn’t just about smuggling – it’s a form of hostile hybrid activity against Lithuania. I can assure you that we’ll respond to any such actions, and if these incidents continue, our response will only become stricter. Nothing is more important than the safety of our people,” said Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė.
Crossing the border through the Medininkai border checkpoint is permitted only for specific categories of persons:
- entry and exit of persons holding diplomatic or service passports or carrying diplomatic mail of the Republic of Lithuania;
- entry and exit of persons travelling with a facilitated transit document issued in accordance with Council Regulation (EC) No 693/2003 of 14 April 2003 establishing a specific Facilitated Transit Document (FTD), a Facilitated Rail Transit Document (FRTD) and amending the Common Consular Instructions and the Common Manual;
- entry of citizens of the Republic of Lithuania and their family members (as defined in Article 2(26) of the Law of the Republic of Lithuania “On the Legal Status of Foreigners”) returning to the Republic of Lithuania;
- entry and exit of citizens of a Member State of the European Union, European Economic Area or the Swiss Confederation, Principality of Andorra, Principality of Monaco, Republic of San Marino, the Holy See, Ukraine and their family members (as defined in Article 2(4) of the Law of the Republic of Lithuania “On the Legal Status of Foreigners”) as well as citizens of the North Atlantic Treaty countries. Also, of staff members of diplomatic missions or consular offices in the Republic of Belarus of the countries listed in this paragraph, who are citizens of the Republic of Belarus and are traveling for official duties;
- entry of foreigners returning to the Republic of Lithuania who have a valid residence permit in the Republic of Lithuania;
- entry of foreigners arriving to the Republic of Lithuania holding humanitarian visas issued by the diplomatic representations of the Republic of Lithuania;
- other exceptional cases with mediation by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania.
The State Border Guard Servicehas been instructed to implement and enforce these new measures, including allowing entry or exit from Lithuania for humanitarian reasons when necessary.
Last updated: 19-11-2025
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