ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW • POPULATION (2025 EST.): 8,997,603 • CAPITAL: Minsk • MAIN CITIES: Gomel, Vitebsk, Hrodna, Mogilev, Pinsk • VISA: Passport must be valid for three months beyond departure date from Belarus and contain two blank pages. No visa required for stays of up to 30 days that enter and exit via Minsk Airport. Proof of valid health insurance is required • HEALTH: Visitors must purchase local insurance or an international policy that explicitly includes Belarus. No vaccinations are required for visitors • CURRENCY: Belarusian ruble (BYN). Carrying local currency is highly recommended • TIPPING: 10% is customary in
restaurants; round up taxi fares; for guides, $5-10 per day • TIME: GMT+3 • ELECTRICITY: 230 volts. Adapter required • DRIVING: On the right. An International Driving Permit is required • PUBLIC HOLIDAYS (2026): Jan 1-2, 7; Mar 8; May 1, 9; Jul 3; Nov 7; Dec 25 • LANGUAGE: Belarusian and Russian (both offi cial) • RELIGION: Secular; Christian. Approximately half the population identifi es as non-religious • DIAL CODE: +375
CLIMATE April is generally coldest with average temperatures of 24F; July generally warmest at 72F. Northeast cooler than southwest
GETTING THERE • MAJOR GATEWAY: Minsk (MSQ)
SAFETY & SECURITY
travel.state.gov advises against travel to Belarus owing to arbitrary enforcement of local laws, risk of detention, war, potential civil unrest, and the Embassy’s limited ability to assist US citizens