Belarus has decided to keep its visa-free travel program for Europeans running a little longer. The scheme began in July 2024 and was supposed to end in December 2024, but was then extended to the end of 2025. A new presidential decree has now pushed the deadline again, this time to December 31, 2026.
Who Can Use the Visa-Free Program
Citizens of 38 European countries can enter Belarus without a visa. They can arrive through any international road or rail checkpoint or fly into the country’s airports. All they need is a valid travel document.
Most travellers can stay for up to 30 days per visit. There are a few exceptions. People from Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, and those with Latvia’s non-citizen status can stay up to 90 days.
There is no limit on how many times someone can enter Belarus, but the total time spent in the country cannot exceed 90 days in one calendar year. Transit is also allowed, provided the traveller is not heading to Russia.
The visa-free rule does not cover holders of diplomatic or service passports. The only exception is for biometric diplomatic passports issued by EU countries, which are already covered by a separate EU–Belarus deal.
More Than 1.2 Million Europeans Have Used It
The program has clearly boosted travel. Belarus’s border agency says more than 1.24 million Europeans have entered the country since 2024 using visa-free entry.
Most visitors came from nearby countries:
- Latvia: 399,842
- Lithuania: 658,575
- Poland: 130,089
Travellers from the other 35 eligible countries added another 54,845 visits. More than 22,000 of them were German citizens. In 2025 alone, over 210,000 travellers from these countries have already visited.
Belarus’s New E-Visa Is Growing Too
Alongside the visa-free travel option, Belarus started offering an e-visa in March 2025 to travellers from 67 countries. This includes several European nations.
According to the National Centre for Electronic Services, around 1,500 e-visas have been issued since the launch on March 20. Applications are coming from a wide mix of countries, such as:
- United States
- Germany
- Japan
- Canada
- Italy
- France
- Australia
- United Kingdom
- Spain
Officials say this shows strong and growing interest.
A Focus on Tourism Growth
Officials in Belarus say the goal is to make the country more open and comfortable for international travellers. They emphasise that the government is working to ensure a safe, welcoming travel experience while showcasing the country’s hospitality and friendliness.
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