Travel advisory · BelarusGovernments advise against all travel to Belarus.Advice depends on your passport. Read your own government's advice before you book.Official advice
Also named by one government: Exclusion zone (Brahin and Khojniki provinces) (Italy), Border areas with Ukraine (Italy), Border regions with Poland, Lithuania and Latvia (Ireland), Border zones with other countries (Spain)
| Government | Advice | Updated | Read the advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom (FCDO) | FCDO advises against all travel to Belarus | – | Read the advice |
| United States (State Dept) | Level 4: Do Not Travel | Dec 29, 2025 | Read the advice |
| Canada (Global Affairs) | Avoid all travel | – | Read the advice |
| Germany (Auswärtiges Amt) | Vor Reisen nach Belarus wird gewarnt (Reisewarnung für das ganze Land) | Oct 13, 2026 | Read the advice |
| New Zealand (SafeTravel) | Do not travel | – | Read the advice |
| Ireland (Department of Foreign Affairs) | Do Not Travel | – | Read the advice |
| France (Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs) | formellement déconseillé | – | Read the advice |
Checked daily from the governments' published advice; last checked Nov 2, 2026. RoamLedger summarises official advice; it is not advice from any government.
Belarus
A flat, forested country with more than 10,000 lakes, the Belavezhskaya Pushcha and old towns in Eastern Europe.
Belarus is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe, bordered by Russia, Ukraine, Poland, Lithuania and Latvia. Most of it is flat, and forest covers a large share of the land. The country has more than 10,000 lakes, and the Belavezhskaya Pushcha national park is home to the European bison, the largest mammal in Belarusian forests. Minsk is the capital and largest city.
Travelers come for the forests and lakes, the old towns of Navahrudak, Polatsk, Hrodna and Mstsislaw, and Brest Fortress, the site of the first major battle of Operation Barbarossa in June 1941. Spring and summer are the best seasons for sightseeing. Summers are mild, while winters are cold and snow can lie for many days. The country suits travelers who enjoy nature and history and who are prepared to check conditions before they go. Before you book, check your government's current travel advice and local security conditions, especially near the Ukrainian border, since the 2020 election and the sanctions that followed changed the situation.
Five things to know before Belarus
- Read the current travel advisory first
The UK advises against all travel to the whole of Belarus (advice updated 10 September 2026) and the US lists Level 4: do not travel. Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you go against UK advice. UK travel advice
- Check the visa rule for your passport
Belarus's foreign ministry lists 38 European states, including the UK, Germany and Spain, whose citizens can enter without a visa for up to 30 days until 31 December 2026. It does not apply when traveling directly to or from Russia. Visa checker
- Carry what the border asks for
Expect to show medical insurance worth 10,000 euros and funds for each day of stay. Use the longest passport-validity rule your government quotes, and carry the original passport, not a copy. Minsk visa and entry
- Plan for phone checks and cash
The UK says security forces may require you to unlock your phone, and almost no major banks accept foreign cards. Paying in foreign cash is prohibited, so exchange only at licensed offices. Money, phones and laws
- Check which land borders are open
The UK lists open crossings with Poland, Lithuania and Latvia, and says they could close again at short notice. Confirm with the neighboring country's border service before any land route.
Belarus travel guides
Practical guides from writers who live there.
The capital: advisory, entry, money and safety
Read the guideShould you go right now?The advisories, insurance and exit questions in order
Read the guideMinsk visa and entryVisa-free limits, insurance proof, borders, registration
Read the guideMoney, phones and lawsCash, card limits, device checks and local rules
Read the guideVisas and entryEntry rules and which channels to trust
Read the guideTravel insuranceAdvisory levels and what policies say about travel against advice
Read the guidePolandNeighboring country across the western border
Read the guideLithuaniaNeighboring country across the northwest border
Read the guide
Destinations in Belarus
When to go
- Rainy days
- Snowy days
- Best
- JanuarySnow13 rainy days4 snowy daysHigh-2°Low-6°Cold, snowJanuarySnow
- High
- -2°
- Low
- -6°
- Precipitation
- 55 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 4
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, snow
- FebruaryCloudy9 rainy days3 snowy daysHigh0°Low-5°Cold, snowFebruaryCloudy
- High
- 0°
- Low
- -5°
- Precipitation
- 36 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 3
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, snow
- MarchPartly cloudy11 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh5°Low-2°ThawMarchPartly cloudy
- High
- 5°
- Low
- -2°
- Precipitation
- 45 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Thaw
- AprilPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh11°Low3°Cool, springAprilPartly cloudy
- High
- 11°
- Low
- 3°
- Precipitation
- 54 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, spring
- MayPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh17°Low8°Mild, greenMayPartly cloudy
- High
- 17°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 71 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, green
- JuneRain12 rainy daysHigh22°Low13°Warm, long daysJuneRain
Best
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 77 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, long days
- JulyRain16 rainy daysHigh23°Low14°WarmestJulyRain
Best
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 114 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warmest
- AugustPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh23°Low14°WarmAugustPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 72 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm
- SeptemberPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh18°Low10°Cool, autumnSeptemberPartly cloudy
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 53 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, autumn
- OctoberPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh11°Low5°Cool, wetOctoberPartly cloudy
- High
- 11°
- Low
- 5°
- Precipitation
- 71 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, wet
- NovemberCloudy11 rainy days2 snowy daysHigh4°Low0°Cold, grayNovemberCloudy
- High
- 4°
- Low
- 0°
- Precipitation
- 53 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 2
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, gray
- DecemberSnow15 rainy days4 snowy daysHigh0°Low-3°Cold, snowDecemberSnow
- High
- 0°
- Low
- -3°
- Precipitation
- 56 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 4
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, snow
Average daily high and low in Minsk, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Belarus
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
6
- Feels like
- 3°
- Humidity
- 88%
- Wind
- 10 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 22%
Minsk
11:36 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today6°4°22%Monday: Cloudy. High 6°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 22%.
- Tue6°4°24%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 6°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 24%.
- Wed5°1°2%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 5°, Low 1°. Chance of rain 2%.
- Thu8°1°14%Thursday: Cloudy. High 8°, Low 1°. Chance of rain 14%.
- Fri7°1°7%Friday: Cloudy. High 7°, Low 1°. Chance of rain 7%.
- Sat8°1°7%Saturday: Cloudy. High 8°, Low 1°. Chance of rain 7%.
- Sun6°4°8%Sunday: Drizzle. High 6°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 8%.
Updated 09:12 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 2.944 BYN
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
NovemberSalzburg Christkindlmarkt
NovemberNuremberg Christkindlesmarkt
NovemberStrasbourg Christmas marketFestivals by month
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- JulSlavianski Bazaar in VitebskAcross Belarus
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Before you go to Belarus
Belarus FAQ
Is it safe to travel to Belarus right now?
The UK advises against all travel to the whole of Belarus, citing a significant risk of arrest and a low risk that the war in Ukraine spreads. The US lists Level 4: do not travel. Read your own government's advice and check it again before you go.
Do I need a visa for Belarus?
It depends on your passport. UK, German and Spanish citizens are among 38 European nationalities that can enter for up to 30 days without a visa until 31 December 2026, but not directly to or from Russia. Other passports differ, so use the visa checker and confirm with a Belarusian embassy.
Will my travel insurance cover Belarus?
Possibly not. The UK says insurance could be invalidated if you travel against FCDO advice. Read the policy wording and ask the insurer in writing before you book. Entry also requires medical insurance worth 10,000 euros.
Can I cross into Belarus by land from Poland or Lithuania?
Only at crossings that are currently open, and the UK warns they could close again at short notice. Check the neighboring country's border service before you plan a land route.
What currency does Belarus use?
The Belarusian ruble (BYN). The UK says it can be difficult to exchange pounds and that US dollars and euros are more widely accepted. Use government-licensed exchange offices and carry your passport.