Belarus: arrival and transport
How to get to Belarus
Belarus International Airport is located in Minsk. Scheduled flights there are offered by Lufthansa and Austrian Airlines, among others. There are no direct flights from Switzerland, the connections go via Vienna or Frankfurt. The country’s national airline, Belavia, also flies to all major cities in the CIS member countries.
Train connections go from Berlin or Vienna via Warsaw and Brest with connections to Minsk. There are also various connections via other Western and Eastern European cities.
Travelers with a car must undertake in writing upon entry to take out the vehicle again, take out a Belarusian car insurance for the duration of their stay and they should register immediately the first night in a hotel, motel or campsite.
The International Green Insurance Card is not valid in Belarus.
Eurolines buses run between Western Europe and Belarus. There are also bus connections from Vilnius in Lithuania and Bialystok in Poland.
Travel in the country
Air connections
Domestic flights connect Minsk with Brest, Grodno and other larger cities.
Bus
Long-distance buses run regularly between all major cities.
Railways
The country’s rail network covers 5490 km. There are regular train connections between all major cities.
Ferry connections
There are mainly inland waterways on the Pripyat, Dnepr, Neman, Beresina and Daugavian rivers.
Rental
Cars An international driver’s license is required for rental cars.
Roads
Belarus’ road network covers around 52,000 km, around a tenth of which is paved. The quality of the roads varies from region to region. Because of the inadequate emergency medical care and the high risk of accidents, it is advisable to drive particularly carefully. Night-time car journeys overland are not recommended due to poor road conditions.
Traffic rules
To avoid trouble with the police or even the courts, drivers should strictly adhere to the traffic regulations in force in the country. Regardless of the information given here, it is advisable to obtain more detailed information from the ADAC, the AvD or the Belarusian traffic clubs.
Top speeds
- Urban: In built-up areas there is a speed limit of 60 km/h.
- Country roads: There is a speed limit of 90 km/h on country roads.
In addition, it is of course necessary to pay attention to the current local speed limits, which are indicated by traffic signs.
Blood alcohol limit
The official blood alcohol limit in Belarus for drivers of motor vehicles is 0.0.
International license plate
According to Abbreviationfinder, The international license plate of Belarus is:
BY |
Belarus: entry and exit regulations
Formalities, visas
Citizens of the EU need a passport that is valid for at least 6 months after the stay and a visa to enter Belarus. Proof of sufficient financial resources must also be provided. In addition, foreigners are required to have health insurance and registration for the duration of their stay in Belarus, i.e. registration with the immigration authorities is required. Since the regulations often change at short notice, you should always check with the responsible embassy before traveling.
Issuing of visas in Germany
Visa department of the Embassy of the Republic of Belarus
Am Treptower Park 32
D-12435 Berlin
Tel.: 0049 – (0) 30 – 53 63 59 32/3
E-Mail: [email protected]
Internet: www.belarus-botschaft.de
Visa department at the branch in Bonn
Fritz-Schäffer-Straße 20
D-53113 Bonn
Tel.: 0049 – (0) 228 – 201 13 32
Fax: 0049 – (0) 228 – 201 13 39
E-Mail: bonn @ belembassy. org
For issuing visas in Austria and Switzerland, see Representations of Belarus in Austria and Switzerland
Import and export of foreign currency
- Local currency The import and export of the local currency of Belarus is prohibited.
- Foreign currency The import of foreign currencies is permitted without restriction, but there is a declaration requirement. The export is limited to the amount declared upon entry. Banknotes and coins in foreign currencies must be exported again within 2 months of import.
Import and export of goods
Goods which are not intended for business purposes and whose customs value does not exceed € 1,000 (for non-divisible goods € 1200) and whose total weight does not exceed 50 kg (for non-divisible goods 80 kg) may be imported into the country duty-free. However, this does not include:
food, vehicles, trailers and furniture. The following may also be imported duty-free: 1 liter of spirits, 1 liter of beer, 200 cigarettes or 200 g tobacco per person over the age of 18 as well as 5 pieces of jewelry, 1 wristwatch, 3 pieces of clothing made of real leather or fur and 4 car tires.
There is a general import ban for beef and its products. On August 11, 2007, a temporary import restriction for all meat products came into force.
Furthermore, the importation of weapons, ammunition, drugs and immoral or subversive articles directed against Belarus (in particular photos and printed matter) is prohibited.
There are countless other regulations, which are described on the corresponding page of the Foreign Office. In any case, it is advisable to inquire about the current status of these regulations before entering the country. However, it must be pointed out that the regulations are handled differently depending on the personal discretion of the customs officers. Unfortunately, there are frequent seizures of vehicles, machines and high-value consumer goods. Above all, however, computers are often confiscated under the pretext of security measures.
The export of weapons, ammunition, precious metals and furs is prohibited.
A permit from the Ministry of Culture is required to take objects of art and antiques with you. It is generally advisable to keep the receipts for customs until you leave the country.
Belarus: travel medicine, risks
Infectious diseases
In principle, infectious diseases are not to be expected in Belarus that do not also occur in Germany, Austria or Switzerland:
Malaria, there is no risk of malaria in the country.
AIDS, HIV
Amoebic dysentery
Bacterial
dysentery Borreliosis, as a result of tick bites Intestinal
infections from contaminated food or contaminated water, including amoebas, lamblia, salmonella, shigella and worm infestation as well as all kinds of viruses and bacteria
Early summer meningo encephalitis, especially as a result of Tick bites
hepatitis A and B, an infection with hepatitis B is only to be expected in people who may come into contact with blood or those who seek sexual contact
rabies, but only for peoplewho travelat risk or who come into contact with
typhoid feverHowever, there is only a risk of infection for travelers who come into contact with polluted water or contaminated food
Vaccination recommendations When traveling to Belarus – with a few exceptions – the same vaccinations are recommended as in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
Cholera, but only for travelers who come into contact with polluted water or contaminated food.
Diphtheria, a vaccination against diphtheria should always exist,
hepatitis A and B also exist in the home country, but a vaccination against hepatitis B is only required for the people who may come into contact with blood or those seeking sexual contact.
Polio, polio, vaccination against polio should basically always consist in the home country
meningococcal meningitis
Tetanus, a vaccination against tetanus should always exist,
typhus should also exist in the home country, but only for travelers who can come into contact with polluted water or contaminated food
Compulsory vaccination
There are no vaccination regulations when entering or staying in Belarus.
Hazards/current information
General
The assessment of the current risk situation in Belarus due to diseases (epidemics), terrorism, a particularly high crime rate and current or impending natural disasters can be obtained from the Federal Foreign Office of Germany.
Foreign Office
Citizen Service
D-11013 Berlin
Tel.: (030) 5000-2000
Fax: (030) 5000-51000
Shop
Shop opening times
The shops in Belarus are usually open Monday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. In the larger cities, however, there are already shops with daily opening times, some around the clock.
Cheap or country-specific goods, souvenirs
Typical souvenirs from Belarus are painted wooden objects such as boxes, plates and spoons as well as other handicrafts such as ceramics, glass items and jewelry. In addition, tourists like to buy furs and local spirits.
Belarus: Embassies and Consulates
Visit Countryaah for a full list of Belarus embassies and consulates in each country around the world.
Representations of Belarus in Germany
The building of the embassy of Belarus or Belarus is located in the street “Am Treptower Park” – corner Herkomerstraße in the Berlin district Treptow-Köpenick. The building is a stately and detached villa with a relatively large garden. The embassy is across from Treptower Park, which includes the Soviet memorial.
The bus stops for bus routes 166, 167, 265 and N 65 are located near the embassy, where the N stands for night bus.
Embassy of the Republic of Belarus
Am Treptower Park 32
12435 Berlin
Tel: 0049 – (0) 30 – 53 63 59 0
Fax: 0049 – (0) 30 – 53 63 59 23
E-Mail: [email protected]
Web: www.germany.belembassy.org
Branch office in Bonn
Fritz-Schäffer-Strasse 20
53113 Bonn
Tel: 0049 – (0) 228 – 201 13 10
Fax: 0049 – (0) 228 – 201 13 19
E-Mail: [email protected]
Honorary Consulate of the Republic of Belarus in Cottbus Parcelsstrasse
10
03046 Cottbus
ZIP
Tel: 0049 – (0) 3560 – 54 09 68
Fax: 0049 – (0) 3560 – 54 18 90
E-Mail: [email protected]
Web: www. honorarkonsulat-belarus.de
Honorary Consulate of the Republic of Belarus in Hamburg
Honorary Consul Dr. René M. Schröder
Neuer Wall 19
20354 Hamburg
Tel: +49 – (0) 40 – 35 54 04 32
Fax: +49 – (0) 40 – 35 54 04 21
eMail: [email protected]
www.belarus- honorarkonsulat.de
German representation in Belarus
Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Minsk
Ulitsa Sakharova 26
220 034 Minsk
Tel: 00375 – (0) 17 – 217 59 00
Fax: 00375 – (0) 17 – 294 85 52
E-Mail: [email protected]
Web: www.minsk.diplo.de
Austrian representation in Belarus
The
Austrian embassy does not have a diplomatic representation in Belarus; the embassy in Moscow is responsible (see here >>>).
Representations of Belarus in Austria
Embassy of the Republic of Belarus
Hüttelbergstrasse 6
1140 Vienna
Tel: 0043 – (0) 1 – 419 96 30 11
Fax: 0043 – (0) 1 – 419 96 30 30
E-Mail: [email protected]
Web: www.austria.belembassy.org /
Honorary Consulate of the Republic of Belarus
In der Holzbündt 8/3
6900 Bregenz
Tel: 0043 – (0) 664 – 14 38 162
Fax: 0043 – (0) 5574 – 82650
E-Mail: [email protected]
Swiss representations in Belarus
Embassy
The embassy in Poland is responsible.
Office of the Swiss Embassy in Minsk
ul. Krasnoarmeyskaya 22a
Apartment No. 20
220 030 Minsk
Tel: 00375 – (0) 17 – 227 18 42
Fax: 00375 – (0) 17 – 217 84 62
E-Mail: [email protected]
Representations of Belarus in Switzerland
Embassy of the Republic of Belarus in Bern
Quartierweg 6
3074 Muri/Bern
Tel: 0041 – (0) 31 – 952 79 14
Fax: 0041 – (0) 31 – 952 76 16
E-Mail: [email protected]
Web: www.swiss.belembassy.org
Consulate of the Republic of Belarus
Feldeggstrasse 55
8034 Zurich
Tel: 0041 – (0) 44 – 210 11 44
Fax: 0041 – (0) 44 – 210 22 44