Belarus has expanded its visa-free entry scheme to include citizens from 34 European countries, including all 27 European Union members and the United Kingdom.
Effective from July 19, 2024, this new policy allows European visitors to stay in Belarus for up to 30 days, with a maximum of 90 days of visa-free stay permitted within a calendar year, according to VisaGuide.World.
The Belarusian authorities have clarified that the visa-free policy applies to travelers arriving by road, rail, and air. This decision is part of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko’s strategy to reach out to the West as he prepares for his seventh five-year term in next year’s election.
The countries whose citizens can now travel to Belarus without a visa are:
Austria
Belgium
Bulgaria
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Iceland
Ireland
Italy
Latvia
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
Netherlands
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
United Kingdom
Albania
Bosnia and Herzegovina
North Macedonia
Serbia
Currently, there are limited direct flight options between the United States and Belarus, requiring travelers to transit through major European hubs like Frankfurt, Paris, or Amsterdam before reaching Belarus.
Efforts are underway to improve connectivity between the two countries, potentially making it easier for American travelers to access Belarus.
In addition to air travel, Belarus also has strong railway connections with neighboring countries, making it convenient for visitors from Lithuania, Poland, and Latvia. Multiple daily train services operate between the Lithuanian capital Vilnius and the Belarusian capital Minsk.
