More from: Borders

A growing number of Russians are crossing the border to Norway in the north for shopping and transfer to other destinations via the airport in Kirkenes. But it is likely not lasting for long as the European Union makes it more troubled to obtain a Schengen-visa.

This is the second time this summer illegal crossings happen in the terrain from Russia to Norway.

Norway and Finland are the only two European countries with direct borders to Russia that continue to issue tourist visas to bonafide travelers. Norway, though, is the only country maintaining local border traffic agreement, including for family members of soldiers fighting the war on Ukraine.

Speaker of Russia’s Parliament, Vyacheslav Volodin, wants a study on possible options of denouncing the 2010 Treaty with Norway concerning maritime delimitation and cooperation in the Barents Sea and the Arctic Ocean.

Travelers across the border from Russia to Norway and Finland can no longer bring their quota of 1-liter duty-free vodka or other spirituous beverages.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday signed a decree suspending simplified visa rules for a group of citizens from countries that Moscow deems unfriendly, including Norway. Visa-free travel in the border areas up north, however, is for now not affected.

Tight travel restrictions for Russians on land, in air, and at sea. A new iron curtain is falling in Europe.

Record low number of travelers across the Norwegian-Russian border came as no surprise. 2021 was totally dominated by travel restrictions caused by the pandemic.

The extraordinary military mission to guard the border to Sweden and Finland comes to end after more than 18 months of stringent travel restrictions.

Cross-border traffic between the Kola Peninsula and Finnish Lapland will from August 25 take place at brand new facilities.

The Parliament has approved a bill naming the country by its three Sámi and the Kven languages in addition to the Norwegian name Norge. Cross-border roads in the north will get new signs.