The government extended the enhanced operation of the border protection system until 31 December 2026. The measures will continue to apply in Ludza, Krāslava and Augšdaugava municipalities, the state city of Daugavpils, and Kaunata Parish in the Rēzekne municipality.
The decision was taken to ensure the inviolability of the State border and safeguard national security, as a high number of attempts to cross the Latvian-Belarusian border irregularly continue to be detected.
In April 2026, authorities prevented 1,700 attempts to cross the State border irregularly, followed by 2,433 in May and 2,263 in June (as of 30 June 2026). These figures indicate that the number of attempted irregular crossings increases with the onset of warmer weather.
During the enhanced border protection regime, the stricter criminal penalties provided for under the Criminal Law for facilitating the irregular crossing of the State border or knowingly enabling a person to reside irregularly in Latvia also remain in force.
- Ministry of the Interior | Iekšlietu ministrija (30 June, 2026), Valdība pagarina pastiprinātu robežapsardzības sistēmas darbības režīmu līdz šā gada 31. decembrim [The government extends the enhanced operation of the border protection system until December 31 this year],