Belarus

If you're in Belarus, leave immediately using limited commercial options available or private means. The security environment in Belarus is volatile and could deteriorate quickly due to Russia's war in neighbouring Ukraine, Russia's military presence along the Belarus border with Ukraine and the arbitrary enforcement of laws by Belarusian authorities. Russian forces are conducting military operations from Belarus, which has heightened regional tensions. Do not attempt to travel to the Belarus-Ukraine border or cross into Ukraine from Belarus. 

If you decide to stay in Belarus, review your personal security plans. Expect restrictions on financial transactions and be aware you may be affected by shortages of essential products and services. You're responsible for your safety and that of your family. 

More information:

• Threat of conflict

Border areas

Do not travel to the Belarus-Ukraine border due to the risk of armed conflict. We advise you do not travel to Ukraine due to the volatile security environment and military conflict. Read the Ukraine travel advice for more information.

Due to restrictions on movement and the volatile security environment, do not travel near borders with Latvia, Lithuania and Poland. Armed violence is possible at any time.

Leaving Belarus

You should immediately leave Belarus if it's safe to do so. Use your judgement to decide the best time and safest means of exit. Any travel options you take are at your own risk.

Transport routes may be disrupted. Plan for delays at land border crossings. Expect disruption to travel and changes at short notice. Ensure you have adequate food, water, medication, and fuel supply.

Read your destination's travel advice to ensure you meet the entry requirements. Minsk International Airport operates with international flights to limited destinations. Minsk airport and Belarusian land border operations could close without notice. Check before planning any border crossings. Be prepared for travel delays and disruptions. Several countries have banned Belarusian airlines from flying over their airspace, including all EU member states, the UK and Ukraine.

If, despite our advice, you decide to stay in Belarus:

• follow the instructions of authorities
• ensure your travel documents are up-to-date, and keep your passport and other travel documentation safe
• contact your family and friends in Australia so they're aware of your location and situation
• keep up to date with developments on the security situation and monitor reputable media, and regularly check our travel advice and social media
• review your personal security plans and make contingency plans to leave as soon as you judge it safe to do so
• always be alert and aware of your surroundings
• avoid large gatherings and areas with groups of fighters and military equipment.

Large and local street demonstrations have occurred in Minsk and other cities in Belarus.

There have been casualties and protesters detained. Further demonstrations could occur without notice and turn violent. Harassment of foreigners is possible.

Avoid protests and follow the instructions of authorities.

Local authorities won't tolerate any opposition. They often make many arrests. 

Belarus imposes jail sentences for 'terrorism propaganda', 'discrediting' the Belarusian government, security forces and military organisations and extended the death penalty to include 'high treason'.

To protect yourself during periods of unrest:

• avoid areas of unrest
• obey the local authorities

More information:

• Protests and civil unrest

Crimes against travellers include pickpocketing, muggings and robberies. Take care on sleeper trains and in or near bars and hotels visited by foreigners.

People have reported harassment, mistreatment and extortion by police and other local officials.

Watch out for drink or food spiking. You're at higher risk of theft if you've been drugged. Drink spiking can happen anywhere. Be alert to the potential risks, and don't leave food or drinks unattended. Pay attention when your drinks are being mixed. Stick to reputable venues and avoid homemade alcoholic drinks due to the risk of methanol poisoning. Get urgent medical help if you suspect you’ve been a victim.

More information:

• Partying safely while overseas

Kidnapping 

Kidnapping occurs across the world with political, ideological, and criminal motives. Foreigners, including Australians, have been kidnapped overseas whilst travelling. Kidnaps can happen anywhere, anytime, including destinations that are typically at lower risk.

Drink spiking

Methanol poisoning

Cyber security

Terrorism is a threat worldwide. Terrorist attacks could occur anywhere and at any time. Be alert to possible threats, especially in public places. 

While there have been no recent terrorist attacks in Belarus, they can still happen.

Terrorists have staged attacks in other European cities in recent years. Targets include:

• airports
• public transport, including train stations
• government buildings, including schools
• places of worship
• public areas that attract large groups of people, such as concert halls, tourist attractions, sporting venues and shopping centres

If there’s a terrorist incident, leave the area if it’s safe to do so and follow the instructions of local authorities. 

More information:

• Terrorism

People are injured or killed in snow-related accidents every winter from December to February.

Accidents include exposure to extreme cold, falls, traffic accidents, avalanches and snow falling from roofs.

Use common sense and take care in severe weather.

If there's a natural disaster, follow the advice of local authorities.

Register with the Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System to receive alerts on major disasters.

Tick-borne diseases

Tick-borne encephalitis (World Health Organisation) and other tick-borne diseases are a risk, especially if you travel through forests.

Ticks are common in rural areas from April to October.

Radiation

Belarus opened the exclusion zone immediately around the Chornobyl site, which includes an area close to Ukraine's border in the southeast of Belarus.

Access to this part of the country may be limited and remains radioactive. Avoid tours to this area due to the radiation risk.

More information:

• State Agency Of Ukraine on Exclusion Zone Management
• State Environmental Research Institution Polesye State Radiation-Ecological Reserve

Other health risks

Foodborne, waterborne and other diseases are common, including these listed by the World Health Organization:

• HIV/AIDS
• tuberculosis
• measles
• diphtheria
• hepatitis
• rabies
• COVID-19

To protect yourself from illness:

• drink boiled water or bottled water with sealed lids
• avoid ice cubes
• avoid uncooked and undercooked food, such as salads
• avoid unpasteurised dairy products

Get medical advice if you suspect food poisoning or have a fever or diarrhoea.

Ask your doctor about health risks and vaccines before you go.

More information

• Infectious diseases

There’s no agreement between Australia and Belarus for free healthcare. Tourists must pay for all medical care, even if they need to stay in hospital or be evacuated. This can be very expensive. Make sure your travel insurance covers you. The Australian Government won't pay for these costs.

The standard of health care in Belarus is lower than in Australia. Doctors and hospitals will ask for insurance details or an up-front payment before treating you.

You'll need to be evacuated if you get seriously ill or injured. Medical evacuation may not be possible and can be very expensive. Most Australian travel insurance policies won't cover you for travel to Belarus. 

When you travel to another country, you must follow their laws. Even if they seem strict compared to Australia's. Before you go, learn about the local laws in that country.

The Australian Government is limited in how and when we can help if you're arrested overseas. We can't get you out of trouble or out of jail. Understand our limits. Read the Consular Services Charter.

Drugs

Penalties for drug offences are severe. They include long prison sentences.

More information:

• Carrying or using drugs

Other laws

Always carry your passport, original visa, and migration card.

Authorities can ask for ID at any time. They can detain you if you don't have identification. Copies of ID aren't accepted.

Belarus has the death penalty for crimes including murder and 'attempted terrorism'.

Belarus imposes jail sentences for 'terrorism propaganda', 'discrediting' the Belarusian government, security forces and military organisations and extended the death penalty to include 'high treason'.

In Belarus, it's illegal to:

• drive with a blood alcohol level above zero
• conduct some religious activities, such as preaching, handing out literature and meeting with unregistered religious groups
• take photos of military sites, government buildings, monuments, and uniformed officials

Other rules or fees can apply for taking photographs in public areas.

Local customs

Same-sex relationships are technically legal but are not widely accepted. In February, Belarus prepared a draft law banning 'LGBTI propaganda'. The law is awaiting approval and official confirmation.

More information:

• Advice for LGBTQIA+ travellers

Same-sex relationships are legal but aren't widely accepted.

More information:

• Advice for LGBTQIA+ travellers

Belarus doesn't recognise dual nationality.

If you enter Belarus with a Belarusian passport, local authorities will treat you as a Belarusian national even if you're a dual national. This severely limits the consular services we can give if you're arrested or detained.

Any child born to a Belarusian parent is a Belarusian national, regardless of their place of birth.

By law, dual nationals must enter and exit the country using their Belarusian passport. Belarusians must obtain or renew travel their documents in Belarus. Dual nationals are at risk when renewing travel documents in Belarus and should obtain independent legal advice before travelling to or entering Belarus.

More information:

• Advice for dual nationals

Visa-free entry for short stays

If, despite our advice, you travel to Belarus, you can get a 30-day visa-free entry valid only if you enter and exit through Minsk National Airport and Brest, Vitebsk, Gomel and Mogilev airports. More information can be found on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Belarus website.

Visa-free entry does not apply to travellers coming from or travelling to Russia.

Other entry conditions apply, such as compulsory medical insurance.

Travel between Belarus and Russia

Do not travel to Belarus or Russia due to the security environment and impacts of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. If you're in Russia or Belarus, leave immediately using the limited commercial options available or private means if it's safe to do so.

If despite our advice, you decide to travel between Belarus and Russia, from January 2025, foreign travellers holding a Belarusian or Russian visa, and an ID document recognised in both countries may enter, leave, stay or transit through both countries via the assigned international checkpoints for the period of the visa validity. 

More information can be found on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Belarus website. 

Diplomatic or official passport

Different rules apply if you're travelling on a diplomatic or official passport. Contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Belarus for details. 

Border measures

Authorities permit Australians to cross land borders through assigned border checkpoints for short visits to the areas of Augustov Canal, Belovezhskaya Pushcha and Brest (bordering Poland), and Grodno (bordering Poland and Lithuania).

If, despite our advice, you decide to travel to Belarus, travel with a registered tour operator and enter through assigned border checkpoints. Border checkpoints can close without warning. 

Check details about:

• Grodno and the Augustov Canal visitors
• Brest foreign visitors

When you enter or exit Belarus, show the original visa issued to border authorities. They won't accept copies.

You may need to present a document with a notarized translation confirming the purpose of your visit to Belarus at the border.

Entry and exit conditions can change at short notice. For details about visas, currency, customs and quarantine rules, contact:

• Belarus Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• Republic of Belarus
• State Customs Authorities of Belarus

Migration card

If, despite our advice, you travel to Belarus or Russia, you'll need to complete a migration card when you enter. One card covers both countries. 

If you don't get a card on your flight or train, ask the border control authorities for one.

Keep the stamped second half of the card. You'll need it when leaving the last country.

Medical insurance

You must have medical insurance to enter Belarus.

If you arrive without proof of insurance, you'll need to purchase a standard policy on entry. Check your insurance carefully to ensure you're covered in a 'do not travel' country.

Contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Belarus for details.

Currency and goods declaration

If, despite our advice, you decide to enter Belarus and arrive with cash or travellers cheques worth more than the equivalent of 10,000 USD, you'll need to complete a declaration form.

Any goods worth more than the equivalent of 500 EUR (and/or weighing more than 25 kg) for land border entry, and 10,000 EUR (and/or weighing more than 50 kg) for air border entry will also need to be declared and may incur customs duties.  

More details can be found on the State Customs Authorities of Belarus website.

Ensure your completed form is stamped by a customs officer when you arrive.

Carry it during your visit and show it when you leave the country.

Undeclared money may be confiscated when you leave Belarus. You could also be fined. 

Local registration

If, despite our advice, you plan to travel to Belarus and stay for more than 10 days, you must register either through the Unified portal for electronic services or through the citizenship and migration unit of the internal affairs body at your place of residence in Belarus. More details can be found on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Belarus website.  

Registering is usually part of the check-in procedure if you stay in a hotel. Confirm this with your hotel.

If you don't register, you could be fined. You could face difficulties when leaving the country.

Exporting goods

Australia has imposed measures against Belarus, including trade measures and targeted sanctions, in response to its support for Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Strict rules control the export of antiques, icons, and items of historic significance.

More information:

• State Customs Authorities of Belarus

Validity

Lost or stolen passport

You won't be able to leave Belarus without an original visa unless you're granted authorisation from the Citizenship and Migration Department of the Belarusian Ministry of Interior.

Passport with 'X' gender identifier

The local currency is the Belarus Ruble (BYN).

If you’re travelling to Belarus, its important you speak to your Australian bank before you go. Because of sanctions against Belarus, your bank may block your card if you use it in Belarus. Not all international cards are accepted or can be used in Belarus. Many reputable international money transfer providers have suspended operations in Belarus. 

It can be difficult to exchange Australian dollars for Belarusian rubles. Consider taking cash in US dollars or euros.

Crime and ATM fraud is a risk. Only use ATMs inside bank premises during business hours.

If you're a victim of an ATM scam, report it to the local police.

Border areas

Do not travel to the Belarus-Ukraine border due to military conflict. Do not travel to areas near borders with Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland due to restrictions on movement and the volatile security environment. Armed violence is possible at any time. More information on crossing borders can be found on the State Border Committee website (in Russian).

Always carry your passport, original visa, and migration card with you. Local authorities won't accept copies.

Some border areas in Belarus have limited entry border zones. You need a special permit issued in advance by the State Border Committee to enter.

Limited entry zones are generally sign-posted and restricted by road barriers and border guard posts.

Don't enter limited entry zones without a valid permit.

Driving permit

You'll need an International Driving Permit (IDP) to drive in Belarus.

You must get your IDP before you leave Australia.

Road travel

Due to ice and snow, some roads outside large cities may be impassable in winter.

Drivers must have either:

• an original ownership certificate for their vehicle
• a rental contract or
• a power of attorney from the owner of the vehicle

If you drive a foreign vehicle in Belarus, you must pay a fee to use toll roads. You can be fined if you don't. Check payment, toll roads and maps on BelToll.

You must also have a 'green card' (proof of vehicle insurance) valid for Belarus. If not, you must buy compulsory car insurance at the border.

More information:

• Driving or riding

Air travel

Flights in and out of Belarus are extremely limited. Several countries (including all EU member states, the UK and Ukraine) have banned the overflight of their airspace by Belarusian airlines. Travel to and from Belarus is only possible through an indirect air route via a country that hasn't imposed a ban.

Check Belarus' air safety profile with the Aviation Safety Network.

More information:

• Air travel

Depending on what you need, contact your:

• family and friends
• travel agent
• insurance provider
• employer
• airline

Fire and rescue services

Call 101.

Medical emergencies

Call 103.

Police

Call 102.

For non-urgent criminal issues, contact the local police at the nearest police station. 

Always get a police report when you report a crime.

Your insurer should have a 24-hour emergency number.

There are limits to what consular assistance we can provide in high-risk locations. Read the Consular Services Charter to understand how we can assist you overseas.

Australia doesn't have an embassy in Belarus. Contact the Australian Embassy in Russia for consular help. Our ability to provide consular assistance is severely limited. The Australian Government will not be able to evacuate you from Belarus.

Australian Embassy, Moscow

13 Kropotkinsky Pereulok
Moscow 119034
Russia

Phone: +7 495 956-6070
Website: russia.embassy.gov.au
Twitter: @PosolAustralia
Telegram: https://t.me/AusEmbMoscow

Check the Embassy website for details about opening hours and any temporary closures.

24-hour Consular Emergency Centre

Australians in need of consular assistance should contact the Australian Government's 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre:

• +61 2 6261 3305 from overseas
• 1300 555 135 in Australia