Bus travel between Latvia and Belarus will end.
In recent developments, the Latvian government has taken steps to halt regular bus services to Russia and Belarus. The Automotive Transport Directorate in Latvia has required an external normative act to stop these services, citing concerns about risks at the EU's borders.
Currently, there are four bus routes from Latvia to Russia and three to Belarus. Some of the licenses for these routes have specific expiration dates. For instance, the licenses for the routes to Minsk, Gomel, and Vitebsk from Latvia are valid until February 26, 2026, June 27, 2026, and January 31, 2026, respectively. However, details about the licenses for other routes and the expiration dates of their respective contracts are not publicly available.
The decision not to renew these licenses is due to the need to consider risks at the EU's borders associated with the increase in passenger traffic to Russia and Belarus. This move comes amidst geopolitical tensions and entry bans between EU countries (including Latvia) and Russia/Belarus, making regular bus services uncommon or restricted since 2023-2025.
SIA Latlines operates regular transport to Belarus, but the impact of this decision on the company and other bus operators is yet to be seen. From October 15, 2025, to October 14, 2026, Latvia has imposed a ban on carriers performing international irregular passenger group transport by bus when crossing the border between Latvia and Belarus - both ways. This restriction applies to all carriers, regardless of the carrier's and the vehicle's country of registration.
In a recent incident, a group of tourists encountered problems returning home due to the closed border between Latvia and Belarus. The details about how Belarusians should fill out the questionnaire required for travel to Latvia or in transit through it were not mentioned in the report.
In a positive note, buses from Minsk and Grodno to Warsaw via Latvia have been launched, providing an alternative route for travel. The Ministry of Transport of Latvia is preparing a legal justification for not renewing licenses for regular bus passenger transport from Latvia to Russia and Belarus.
As the situation evolves, it is expected that more information will become available regarding the impact of this decision on travel between Latvia, Russia, and Belarus, as well as the measures being taken to ensure smooth travel for passengers.
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