European Union strengthens borders: Poland becomes the last EU country to ban vehicles with Russian license plates

From September 17, 2023, Poland becomes the latest European Union country bordering Russia to introduce a ban on the entry of vehicles registered in Russia.

This decision was announced by Poland's Minister of the Interior, Mariusz Kamiński. He emphasized that the ban will apply to both Russian citizens and citizens of other countries traveling in vehicles with Russian license plates.

Europe's Response to Russia's Actions

Poland is not the first country to introduce such restrictions. Earlier, Germany began to confiscate vehicles with Russian license plates from Russian citizens upon entry. In response, the Russian embassy in Germany advised its citizens to refrain from entering German territory in vehicles with Russian registration.

The European Commission also confirmed that Russian citizens are prohibited from entering EU countries in vehicles with Russian registration.

Other EU Countries Follow Suit

Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia have already introduced similar bans, while Finland announced its decision on September 15.

These countries decided to tighten border measures in response to Russia's actions. The ban applies not only to personal vehicles but also to commercial transport.

For example, it's prohibited to import or transfer into the EU any vehicles or other means of transport designed to carry 10 or more people if they originate from or are exported from Russia.

Implications for Russian Motorists

The introduction of such measures could pose a series of challenges for Russian motorists planning trips to EU countries.

Not only personal travels might be at risk, but also commercial shipments carried out in vehicles with Russian license plates.

This can lead to increased costs for cargo transport, as well as time loss due to the need to find alternative methods of goods delivery.