Europe
Belarus
Clean, orderly and cheap with little street crime, but an authoritarian state that detains foreigners over politics, hosts Russian troops and rarely accepts foreign cards. Most Western governments advise against travel.
- US travel advisoryLevel 4Do not travelDetails
- Visa91 of 198passports can visit visa-freeDetails
- CurrencyBYNUS$1 ≈ Br3.01Details
- Price level30%of US prices (World Bank PPP)
- English2/5Limited
- PlugsType C, F220 V, 50 HzDetails
- Emergency102Police 102 · Ambulance 103 · Fire 101
- Tap waterFilter or boilIn cities, boil and filter tap water before drinking.Details
- LGBTQ+LegalHidden scene only.Details
- DrivingOn the rightCarry your licence plus a 1968 IDP. Foreign-plated cars need local insurance and must pay BelToll road tolls.
Where to go in Belarus
1 place with full guides. Comfortable monthly budget for one person, rent included.
| Place | Safety | Month, comfortable | Best months | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MinskCapital city | 2/5 | $997–1,500 | Jun–Aug | 46/100 |
When to visit Belarus
May–September for parks, lakes and Belovezhskaya Pushcha forest. Winters are long, dark and cold, often well below freezing.
Good to know
Entry
- Visa-free rules for many European passports run until 31 December 2026 but don't apply if you arrive from or leave for Russia.
- Since January 2025 a valid Russian or Belarusian visa covers both countries, only at designated crossing points.
- Medical insurance (€10,000+) and about €25 per day in funds may be checked; register within 10 days (hotels do it).
- Ukraine border closed. Few Polish, Lithuanian and Latvian crossings are open, and they can shut at short notice.
Laws visitors break by accident
- Reading, following or sharing 'extremist' media, including opposition Telegram channels, is an offence.
- Photographing police, soldiers, government buildings or infrastructure is illegal.
- Jaywalking fines are enforced, and refusing metro bag checks can lead to arrest.
Etiquette
- Avoid political talk with strangers; locals can face consequences
- Take shoes off in homes; give flowers in odd numbers
- Wait for the green light even on empty streets
Tipping
About 10% in restaurants for good service; some add a service charge. Not expected in taxis.
Neighbouring countries
Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- UK FCDO travel advice: Belarus
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Belarus
- Minsk National Airport
- World Bank open data
Country facts are researched by SoloSquare; advisory levels, crime, health and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.