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On 23 May, a joint order by the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Internal Affairs decided to no longer recognize non-biometric passports issued by the Russian Federation (RF) as valid travel documents for entering Lithuanian territory. This order does not apply to RF citizens travelling in transit by rail through the territory of the Republic of Lithuania from Kaliningrad to the RF territory and in reverse.

"With this decision, we join other European Union countries that have already implemented such a restriction. It will soon be two years since we started the discussion on the restriction of the movement of Russian special services employees in the Schengen area. As is known, some of the high-profile terrorist attacks in Europe were carried out by the same GRU (Main Intelligence Directorate of the General Staff of the Armed Forces) agents who arrived with different passports. Biometric passports make it harder to falsify identity, so our citizens will also feel safer," said Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys.

According to Interior Minister Vladislav Kondratovič, the decision to not recognize Russian non-biometric passports is necessary due to the changed geopolitical situation and aligns with Lithuania's national security interests.

"Passports without biometric data do not have modern security measures and are easier to forge, thus posing a higher risk of illegal use. In exceptional cases, requests from RF citizens – democratic opposition, independent media, or public representatives – to enter Lithuania with a non-biometric passport will be accepted if their purpose of arrival aligns with the interests of the Lithuanian state," said Interior Minister Vladislav Kondratovič.

The decision was made taking into account that non-biometric transborder passports issued by the RF do not comply with the recommendations of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) – they do not have the unique biometric data (fingerprints, facial image) integrated into biometric passports that ensure reliable identity verification, making them easier to forge and posing a higher risk of illegal use.

Lithuania's decision complies with the requirements of the European Union (EU) and national law. Denmark, the Czech Republic, Estonia, France, and Iceland already do not recognize non-biometric passports issued by the Russian Federation. The entry of third-country nationals into the Schengen area is governed according to the rules set out in the Schengen Borders Code, and the recognition of travel documents as valid for entry into the territory of an EU member state is a national competence.

Under the new procedure, there will remain the possibility to make exceptions in cases of individual requests from RF citizens (representatives of democratic forces, regime opponents, independent media, and public representatives) to enter with a non-biometric passport if the purpose of their arrival aligns with Lithuania's national interests. However, these permits do not automatically grant the right to enter – the State Border Guard Service will continue to make separate decisions on each RF citizen's request in accordance with the Schengen Borders Code.

The provisions of the adopted order regarding the non-recognition of foreign non-biometric passports issued by the RF will come into force on 1 June 2025, and for foreigners holding a residence permit in the Republic of Lithuania or a residence permit issued by another EU, European Economic Area, or Schengen member state – from 1 December 2025, allowing time to replace RF non-biometric passports with biometric ones.