Lithuania's new border measures

May 16, 2008
In cooperation with BNS

VILNIUS - A new measure for controling people crossing the external Schengen border will be applied right next to the Lithuania-Russia border.

Access to the specially-marked State Border Guard Zone will be restricted from June 1 to those possessing free permits, the State Border Guard Service (SBGS) announced Friday.

This same measure has been valid in Lithuania's border with Belarus for a few years, and hasn't caused any problems.

As the government approved last year the limits of the border zone near the frontier with Russia and after all marking procedures in the area were completed, Lithuanian border guard officers will start monitoring all persons who enter the aforementioned zone. As most violators of border limits and traffickers are caught in this particular area, this measure will help border guards control the presence of persons engaging in illegal activities in vulnerable strips, and, accordingly, punish them in case of violations of the established regulations.

Locals will not be subjected to inconveniences, as they will be issued permits to enter the zone, which will be valid for a one year period. Persons owning real estate in the border zone will be issued permits valid for up to a three year period.

Those who do not have the permit are prohibited from entering the border zone, and violations will result in administrative charges. First detainment of illegal entering of the zone will carry a warning or a monetary fine of up to 300 litas (EUR 90). Getting caught on repeated occasions can result in fines ranging 300 - 600 litas.