VISA REGIME
For holders of national passports and other travel documents:A visa is not required for a stay of up to 30 days
For holders of diplomatic and official passports:A visa is not required for a stay of up to 30 days
Note:Holders of emergency travel documents in transit do not require a visa
ENTERING AND LEAVING THE COUNTRY
A visa-free regime is in force (for all types of passports) for stays of up to 30 days, with the total period of stay being limited to 90 days during a calendar year. If this period is exceeded, a residence permit or temporary residence permit must be issued. In cases where a visa is required (stays longer than 30 days, education, professional development, employment, etc.), a visa can be obtained free of charge at the Embassy of the Republic of Belarus in Belgrade. When entering the Republic of Belarus, it is mandatory to have a health insurance policy that must comply with the following conditions: (1) the minimum insured sum is EUR 10,000 and (2) either the Republic of Belarus or the entire world must be stated as the territory covered by the policy. Upon entering the Republic of Belarus, it is mandatory to fill out an emigration card (used for registration) and carry it on one’s person in the passport until one is leaving the country, when it is returned to the border control officer. Foreigners temporarily staying in the Republic of Belarus must, within five days (excluding Sundays and national holidays) register their stay in the Republic of Belarus with the Administration for Citizenship and Migration, a branch of the interior affairs as per the place of actual temporary stay, or through the unified state e-Services portal: https://portal.gov.by/. In case of a stay in hotels, hostels, rehabilitation centres or other collective forms of accommodation, the registration of the temporary stay of foreign nationals is done by the administration of those establishments during their arrival and accommodation.
In Belarus, the import of any alcohol and beer is limited to no more than 3 liters per person over the age of 18, as well as the import of cigarettes to no more than 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250 grams of tobacco per adult.
Import of animals and plants into the Republic of Belarus is allowed only with proper veterinary and medical permits.
The import of firearms, military equipment, narcotics, poisons, radioactive and explosive substances is prohibited.
Exit/entry of citizens of the Republic of Serbia from the direction of Belarus to the territory of Poland, Russia, Lithuania and Latvia
Between Poland and Belarus, the only border crossing open to passenger traffic is the Terespol (Poland) - Brest (Belarus) border crossing.
Transit of citizens of the Republic of Serbia via Poland to Belarus is not prohibited, but the waiting time at the Terespol-Brest border crossing can vary significantly depending on the current frequency and holiday periods. The waiting time is very long, sometimes up to 40 hours.
Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the competent authorities of Poland have banned the entry of foreigners from third countries who wish to enter Poland via the land/road border from Belarus and Russia (Kaliningrad region) for the purpose of transit. Entry is granted only to citizens of Poland, the EU, citizens of the Schengen area, foreign diplomats or foreigners who have a regular stay in Poland or one of the EU or Schengen countries (residence card or visa D for a long stay). Other foreign citizens, including citizens of the Republic of Serbia who do not hold a Schengen visa are granted entry to Poland in exceptional cases (health problems, death, etc.), and the final decision on entry is made by the competent duty member of the Polish border police (in consultation with the immediate superiors and headquarters of the Border Police in Warsaw) when the foreigner arrives at the specific border crossing.
Citizens of the Republic of Serbia who wish to return to Serbia from Belarus, Russia (Kaliningrad region) via Poland are advised not to set off before contacting the Embassy of the Republic of Serbia in Warsaw via email: embassy.warsaw@mfa.rs.
It is also recommended that Serbian citizens consider using an alternative route through Lithuania, both for entering and exiting the Republic of Belarus. There are two border crossings in operation: Medininkai (Lithuania) - Kamenny Log (Belarus) and Šalčininkai (Lithuania) - Benyakoni (Belarus), where traffic is often less congested and waiting times are shorter compared to the Terespol - Brest crossing (although delays of over 20 hours can occur here too). We note that Serbian citizens can exit Belarus at these border crossings without prior notice. Lithuania is a member of the European Union and part of the Schengen area, so after entering its territory there are no more border controls until Hungary, i.e. the border with the Republic of Serbia.
Link where you can follow the online electronic waiting list, which shows the number of vehicles in queue on the Belarusian side at the Terespol - Brest border crossing: https://gpk.gov.by/situation-at-the-border/punkty-propuska/brest/.
Entry of Foreign Nationals into Belarus from Russia and Vice Versa
On 11 January 2025, the Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Belarus and the Government of the Russian Federation on the Mutual Recognition of Visas and Other Issues Related to the Entry of Foreign Nationals and Stateless Persons into the Territories of the States Parties to the Treaty on the Establishment of the Union State (hereinafter referred to as the Agreement) came into effect.
The Agreement modifies the previously established procedure for crossing the shared border of Union State member states for foreign nationals and stateless persons, including the land portion of the common border, which was previously open only to citizens of Belarus and Russia. Specifically, entry of foreign nationals into Belarus from Russia and vice versa is now possible not only by air but also through international border control points and directly on designated international railway routes, as well as on specific road routes listed in the Agreement Annex.
Currently, the Agreement provides for six such sections:
- Yukhovichi – Dolostsy (Opochka – Novopolotsk),
- Yezerishche – Nevel (Kyiv – Saint Petersburg),
- Liozno – Kruglovka (Vitebsk – Smolensk),
- Redki – Krasnaya Gorka (Minsk – Moscow),
- Zvenchatka – Dubovichka (Bobruisk – Moscow),
- Selishche – Novozybkov (Gomel – Bryansk).
Crossing the land section of the Belarus-Russia shared border in other areas is not permitted and will be considered a violation of the state border. According to the Agreement, the parties mutually recognize visas that grant foreign nationals the right to enter and stay in Belarus and Russia, as well as marks for crossing the external border of the Union State. The period of stay for foreign nationals and stateless persons in Belarus and Russia is calculated from the date of entry into the territory of one of the states from a third country. The Agreement does not apply to foreign nationals and stateless persons prohibited from entering either of the two states. Each party retains the right to deny entry or shorten the period of stay within its territory for any foreign national or stateless person and to verify their compliance with entry, exit, transit, or residence regulations.
On the Lithuanian border with Belarus, only two border crossings are currently operating: Medininkai (Kamenny Log) and Šalčininkai (Benyakoni). We recall that, starting from 1 March 2024, Lithuania has closed two border crossings: Lavoriškės (Kotlovka) and Raigardas (Privalka). Citizens of the Republic of Serbia may enter and exit Lithuania without restrictions. However, waiting times at existing crossings can be very long, and in extreme cases reach over 20, and even up to 50 hours.
Link where you can follow the online electronic waiting list, which shows the number of vehicles in queue on the Belarusian side at the Medininkai - Kamenny Log border crossing: https://gpk.gov.by/situation-at-the-border/punkty-propuska/stone_log/.
Link where you can follow the online electronic waiting list, which shows the number of vehicles in queue on the Belarusian side at the Šalčininkai - Benyakoni border crossing: https://gpk.gov.by/situation-at-the-border/punkty-propuska/benekainys/.
On the border between Latvia and Belarus, only one border crossing for passenger traffic is open, Paternieki (Grigorovshchina). Latvia closed the Silene (Urbany) border crossing with Belarus on 19 September 2023. Citizens of the Republic of Serbia may enter and exit Latvia without restrictions. However, given that only one border crossing is open, longer delays, which can last up to several days, should be expected.
Link where you can follow the online electronic waiting list, which shows the number of vehicles in queue on the Belarusian side at the Paternieki - Grigorovshchina border crossing: https://gpk.gov.by/situation-at-the-border/punkty-propuska/grigorov/ .
SOCIAL SECURITY AGREEMENT
No social security agreement has been signed.
USEFUL INFORMATION
HEALTH SITUATION — In the Republic of Belarus, the state and the private healthcare systems operate in parallel. Foreigners have access to all medical institutions, laboratories, and pharmacies. The health situation is satisfactory. For more information, visit the World Health Organization website: www.who.int/countries/blr/.
SECURITY SITUATION — The Republic of Belarus is a safe country. Organised action to combat all forms of crime and a rigorous penal policy contribute to a low crime rate.
TRANSPORT — In June 2021, the direct flight of the Belarusian airline "Belavia" between Belgrade and Minsk was suspended.
During the tourist stay in Belarus, you can drive a motor vehicle with an international driver's license, along with a valid national driver's license and vehicle registration certificate (driving license), as well as international vehicle insurance (green card) for up to three months from the date of entry into the country.
If a person has been issued a residence permit or passport in Belarus, then within 90 days it is necessary to obtain a Belarusian driver's license, for which one must pass an exam. After this period, national driver's license will be considered invalid on the territory of Belarus. The Belarusian driving license is issued by the State Automobile Inspectorate (analogous to the traffic police) only if you have undergone special training at a driving school in Belarus and successfully passed tests on traffic rules and driving a car. The training period for driving a car in a driving school lasts 3 months.
A system of electronic road-toll payment operates within the territory of the Republic of Belarus. Strict adherence to traffic and other regulations is advised, since stringent fines are envisaged
OTHER — Pursuant to national regulations, up to USD 10,000 (or equivalent) in cash money may be brought into or taken out of the country without having to declare it. The local currency in the Republic of Belarus is the Belarus rouble. Foreign currency is exchanged into Belarus roubles at banks and exchange offices. Payment cards issued by domestic and international banks are accepted, but standard conversion costs may apply. Exchange of cash, due to the small difference in rates, can be done at banks or exchange offices.
Contact information:
During your stay in the Republic of Belarus, for consular assistance and protection you may contact the Embassy of the Republic of Serbia in Minsk (address: Румянцева 4, 220034 Минск), at the following telephone numbers: 00 375 17 284 29 84 and 00 375 17 284 29 90, or e-mail: embassy.minsk@mfa.rs.