Estonia will close nighttime traffic at the southern road border crossings for three months starting 24 February

According to the government plan, the Luhamaa and Koidula road border crossings will be closed to all traffic during nighttime hours starting on 24 February. During the daytime, the border crossings will remain open for 12 hours.

Prime Minister Kristen Michal noted that Russia’s ongoing disruptive actions at the border cannot be ignored. “As Russia’s behavior at the border is at times irrational, we need to free up resources to guard the border. For three months, starting on 24 February, we will reduce the opening hours of the border crossings and close them at night in response to the need to keep a closer watch on the border elsewhere. Full customs control in the direction of Russia will also continue. Further decisions will be made based on security needs and the situation at the border,” Michal said.

Minister of the Interior Igor Taro noted that the conduct of Russian border guards requires constant resources and additional attention from the Police and Border Guard Board. “By cutting nighttime working hours at the border crossings, we can make better use of our officers where they are most needed.” The minister added that the decision initially applies for three months, after which the situation will be reassessed and further steps decided. Taro also noted that scaling back the operation of border crossings on the Estonian–Russian border is a logical step in a situation where border crossings have decreased significantly and are unlikely to return to previous levels. “Compared to 2018, the number of border crossings has decreased by approximately fivefold. While 5.3 million people crossed the eastern border in 2018, in 2025 the number was 1,084,320,” the minister said.

The highest traffic was recorded at the Narva border crossing (626,470 crossings), followed by Luhamaa (239,542) and Koidula (213,910).
In 2025, a total of 239,542 people entered and exited the country via the Luhamaa border crossing. Of these, 41% were citizens of the European Union, including 9% Estonian and 18.5% Latvian citizens, and 59% were citizens of third countries, including 31% Russian citizens.
In 2025, a total of 213,910 people entered and exited the country via the Koidula border crossing. Of these, 59% were citizens of European Union member states, including 46% Estonian citizens, and 41% were citizens of third countries, including 28% Russian citizens.