Lithuania’s parliament is debating new legislation that could curb how often Belarusian migrants are allowed to visit their home country.
Under the proposed rule, Belarusians who travel back more than once every three months may risk losing their Lithuanian residence permits.
“This will help reduce the flow of back-and-forth travel and allow our security services to better monitor the relevant processes,” said Audronius Ažubalis, a member of the opposition Homeland Union – Lithuanian Christian Democrats.
The Interior Ministry, however, has voiced concerns about the plan, warning that it could increase bureaucracy. According to the Migration Department, Lithuania currently hosts around 54,000 Belarusians with residence permits, most of whom—roughly 70%—are economic migrants.
Belarusian residents have also expressed apprehension. “It’s important that people have work visas so they can travel for business and visit relatives, and so the situation doesn’t get worse,” said one migrant in an interview with LRT. “People come here to earn a living, not to cause problems. People are social beings—I don’t believe we [Belarusians] are bad neighbors,” another added.
Official border data indicates a decline in Belarusian crossings over the past few years. Still, some lawmakers argue that security threats have grown more complex.
“We’ve been discussing for years how some Belarusians, who claim to be fleeing political persecution, still return home monthly,” said Gedrimas Jeglinskas, a parliament member from the ruling Democrats “For Lithuania” party.
Vytis Jurkonis, a political scientist and Freedom House chair in Lithuania, urged decision-makers to consider the nuances of individual circumstances. “There are people who likely have sick parents they need to visit, and such visits might require more frequent travel,” he explained. At the same time, he acknowledged the potential dangers.
“Belarusians themselves admit that Belarusian border guards collect personal data, interrogate travelers, pull them aside, and attempt to recruit them,” Jurkonis noted.
The issue extends beyond Belarusian nationals. Lithuanian intelligence agencies have also reported that Belarusian authorities are targeting citizens of neighboring countries.
“Such restrictions should apply regardless of the traveler’s passport—among those detained, interrogated, or pressured are citizens of Lithuania, Latvia, and Poland,” Jurkonis added.
