Estonia to close the Luhamaa and Koidula road border crossing points at night for three months starting on 24 February

According to the government's plan, the Luhamaa and Koidula road border crossing points will be closed to all traffic at night starting 24 February. The border crossing points will remain open for 12 hours during the day.

Prime Minister Kristen Michal stated 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 more efficiently," said Michal. "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".

According to Minister of the Interior Igor Taro, the behaviour of Russian border guards requires constant resources and heightened attention from the Police and Border Guard Board. "By cutting night-time 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 will initially apply for three months, after which the situation will be re-evaluated and further steps will be decided.

Taro added that scaling back the operation of border crossings on the Estonian-Russian border is a logical step in a situation where the number of border crossings has dropped significantly and is unlikely to recover. "Compared to 2018, the number of border crossings has decreased around fivefold. While in 2018, 5.3 million people crossed the eastern border, in 2025 the figure was 1,084,320," said the Minister of the Tnterior.

Last year, the highest traffic was recorded at the Narva border crossing point (626,470 crossings), followed by Luhamaa (239,542) and Koidula (213,910).

In 2025, a total of 239,542 people passed through the Luhamaa crossing point to enter or exit the country. Of those, 41% were EU citizens, including 9% Estonian and 18.5% Latvian citizens, and 59% were citizens of third countries, including 31% Russian citizens.

The total number of people who passed through the Koidula crossing point to enter or exit the country in 2025 was 213,910. Of those, 59% were citizens of European Union member states, including 46% Estonian citizens, and 41% were citizens of third countries, including 28% Russian citizens.

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