Belarus

Recommended Vaccinations For Belarus

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis A Vaccine

**Vaccination is recommended for unvaccinated travellers over the age of one traveling to Belarus.**

Hepatitis B Vaccine

Vaccination is recommended for all unvaccinated travellers traveling to Belarus.

For Some Travellers

Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) Vaccine

A dose of Measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is recommended for infants aged 6 to 11 months.

Tick-Borne Encephalitis Vaccine

Only travellers who plan to visit this country during the summer months and hike or camp in rural or forested areas that provide a habitat for the ticks that carry the virus should consider obtaining this vaccine.

Rabies Vaccine

Vaccination against rabies is recommended for travellers involved in outdoor activities (e.g., campers, hikers, bikers, adventure travellers, and cavers) who may have direct contact with rabid dogs, bats, and other mammals. Those with occupational risks (such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals, researchers) and long-term travellers and expatriates are at higher risk and should be vaccinated.

Recommended Medications For Belarus

There are no recommendations for Belarus at this time.

Diseases To Be Aware of for Belarus

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis B

There is a significant risk for acquiring hepatitis B in Belarus.

Hepatitis A

**There is a risk of exposure to hepatitis A virus in this country through contaminated food or water.**

For Some Travellers

Measles

There is a risk of Measles in this country, especially in infants aged 6 to 11 months.

Hanta Virus

There is a risk of acquiring Hantavirus in this country through the consumption of food and water contaminated by an infected rodent or through rodent bites.

Tick-Borne Encephalitis

There is a risk of Tick-Borne Encephalitis in all areas of this country. The transmission season varies, however, ticks are most active during early spring to late autumn.

Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis occurs in Belarus. Travellers to this country are at risk for tuberculosis if visiting sick friends or family, working in the health care field, or having close prolonged contact with the general population.

Rabies

Rabies occurs in Belarus. Travellers involved in outdoor activities (e.g., campers, hikers, bikers, adventure travellers, and cavers) may have direct contact with rabid dogs, bats, and other mammals. Those with occupational risks (such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals, researchers) and long-term travellers and expatriates are at higher risk.

Safety & Security in Belarus

Personal Safety

Belarus has low rates of violent crime, but visitors face significant risks from authorities rather than criminals. You may encounter harassment, mistreatment, and extortion by police and local officials. Pickpocketing, muggings, and robberies occur primarily on public transport, sleeper trains, and near bars and hotels frequented by foreigners. Drink spiking happens in nightlife venues, so never leave drinks unattended and avoid homemade alcoholic drinks. The political environment creates serious personal safety concerns. Belarus authorities have detained tens of thousands of people for political activities since 2020, including foreigners with past involvement in activities now considered illegal, even if those activities occurred outside Belarus. Security officials monitor electronic devices and may arrest people based on phone content. You face potential harassment simply for being a foreigner. Severe penalties exist for drug offenses, including lengthy prison sentences for possession of small amounts. Belarus retains the death penalty for certain crimes including murder and terrorism. Most Western embassies have limited or no presence, meaning consular assistance is severely restricted or unavailable.

Extreme Violence

Belarus has low levels of violent crime compared to many countries. The homicide rate stands at approximately 2.38 per 100,000 people according to World Bank data. Violent crime against foreigners is rare, though criminals may use force if victims resist. Terrorism has not occurred in recent years, though past incidents included bombings in 2005, 2008, and 2011, with the 2011 Minsk Metro bombing killing 14 people. Attacks cannot be ruled out entirely. The greater concern involves state violence rather than criminal violence. Since the disputed 2020 presidential election, authorities have used excessive force against demonstrators, including peaceful protesters. Bystanders and foreign nationals near protests face arrest or detention. More than 1,300 people are currently imprisoned for political activities, with credible reports of torture and mistreatment in detention facilities. At least seven political prisoners have died in custody since 2021, five in 2024 alone. The government has committed widespread human rights violations that international experts believe amount to crimes against humanity in some cases. Organized criminal activity exists but street-level violence from criminal groups rarely affects foreigners. Most casinos and adult clubs operate under criminal elements, though this typically doesn’t impact visitors.

Political Unrest

Belarus faces severe political repression following the disputed August 2020 presidential election. Authorities have detained over 35,000 people for political reasons since then, including peaceful protesters, journalists, activists, and bystanders. Mass protests that erupted in 2020 were violently suppressed, triggering hundreds of thousands to flee the country. The regime continues systematic repression in 2025. Peaceful assembly and freedom of speech are not protected rights. Authorities use excessive force to disperse demonstrations and arrest bystanders, including foreigners. You risk detention simply for being near protests or for past political activities, even those conducted outside Belarus or years ago. Laws are applied retroactively. The government has labeled over 5,000 web resources as extremist and blocked approximately 14,000 websites. Independent media outlets have been shut down and declared extremist organizations. More than 1,400 civil society organizations have been dissolved. Authorities monitor electronic devices and communications. Security services arrest people based on information found on phones, including content created in other countries. You may face interrogation, phone searches, and surveillance at borders and checkpoints. Belarus supports Russia’s military operations in Ukraine, allowing Russian forces to operate from Belarusian territory. This creates an unpredictable security environment with potential for conflict escalation. Several countries have imposed sanctions on Belarus. Border crossings with Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia are limited and may close with little notice.

Areas To Avoid

Avoid all border regions with Ukraine, Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia due to volatile security conditions, military activity, and potential border closures. Russian military personnel and equipment operate in Belarus, particularly near the Ukrainian border. Areas with military presence carry higher risks. An exclusion zone exists around the Chernobyl nuclear site in southeastern Belarus near the Ukrainian border. Access is restricted and radiation contamination remains a concern. Avoid eating local food from affected areas, particularly berries, mushrooms, and dairy products. Some border areas have limited entry zones requiring special permits from the State Border Committee. These zones are typically signposted with road barriers and border guard posts. Do not enter without valid permits. Taking photographs of military installations, police, government buildings, or critical infrastructure is illegal. Restricted areas are not always clearly marked. If in doubt, leave immediately. Rural areas present additional challenges. Roads are poorly maintained with inadequate lighting. Villages may have contaminated well water. Many buildings and transport systems lack accessibility features. Healthcare facilities in rural regions are limited. Poorly lit streets and secluded areas throughout the country should be avoided, particularly at night. The political situation makes public gatherings and demonstrations extremely risky regardless of location.