Deadline Set by Lithuania for Departure of Vehicles with Russian Registration – Sky Bulletin

The Lithuanian Customs authority has issued a notice that owners of Russian-registered cars are required to either re-register their vehicles in Lithuania or exit both the nation and the European Union by March 11th.

In adherence to a policy enacted in September 2023, Lithuania, along with its neighbors Latvia and Estonia, has prohibited the entry of automobiles bearing Russian plates. This move came as a result of a directive from the European Commission.

The Lithuanian Customs has detailed that after the specified deadline, any driver found with a Russian vehicle registration will be fined and the vehicle will face impoundment.

An exemption exists for Russian nationals on their way to or from the Kaliningrad region, utilizing a simplified transit procedure. They are permitted to cross Lithuania under the condition their travel does not last more than 24 hours and the official vehicle owner is present during the trip.

The guideline from the European Commission, released on September 8, interprets sanction measures against Russia for its aggressive acts in Ukraine. This guideline states that Russian citizens entering the EU with their personal vehicles can be charged with illicit importation and potentially lose their vehicles irrespective of the visit’s duration or purpose.

Following the European Commission’s recommendation, Poland and Finland have similarly enacted their own prohibitions against the entry of Russian-registered cars.

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