Latvia’s Ministry of Transport has proposed that the government completely halt all passenger transport to Belarus and Russia in 2027.
The proposed amendments would ban regular and irregular international passenger bus services to Belarus and Russia, as well as transit through Latvian territory to these countries, the Latvian government’s press service reports.
In 2025, Latvia already banned irregular bus services to Belarus and Russia. The ban expires on October 31, 2026, but the Transport Ministry proposes extending it for another year.
Regular bus service with Belarus is also no longer available. Dautrans’s license for the Riga–Vitsyebsk route expired on January 31 this year. Another company, Latlines, had two more licenses, which expired on February 26 and July 27, 2026.
At present, Latvia retains a single regular bus route from Riga to Moscow, operated by Norma-A, which operates under the Ecolines brand. Its license expires on January 9, 2027. It is not planned to be renewed.
Latvia’s Ministry of Transport notes that the practical effect of restricting Latvian regular bus routes is not complete, as passengers can use connecting routes through Estonia and Lithuania, as well as minibuses that are not covered by legislation governing regular bus services.
Latvia’s Ministry of Transport will continue to assess security issues, economic considerations and international obligations and will seek a coordinated solution at the Baltic and European Union levels.
