What the governments of the United Kingdom, the United States and Canada tell their own citizens about travelling to Belarus, in their own words, plus practical help with packing.
Travel advice levels
Each government rates the risks for its own citizens, on its own scale. The levels are shown exactly as published; they are not equivalent to each other and are not combined here.
UK
United KingdomForeign, Commonwealth & Development Office
Advises against all travel to the whole country
No numbered levels
Updated 10 September 2026
Latest change, in the source's words:Updated information on buying flight tickets if the journey is starting in, or within, Russia ('Safety and security’ page)
The official source shows no update to this advice in over 12 months. Check the official page for the current version.
Trip Rulebook could not refresh this source since 30 September 2026. The official website may have newer advice.
Emergency numbers
From the section “Emergency services in Belarus” of the UK government's travel advice for Belarus, written for British travellers. Reproduced without changes to the wording; formatting adapted.
Ambulance: 103
Fire: 101
Police: 102
Local laws and customs
From the section “Laws and cultural differences” of the UK government's travel advice for Belarus, written for British travellers. Reproduced without changes to the wording; formatting adapted.
Illegal drugs
There are severe penalties for drug-related crimes in Belarus. Possession of illegal drugs, including small amounts of Class C substances such as cannabis, can result in prison sentences of up to 5 years. More serious offences, such as smuggling or trafficking, carry penalties of up to 25 years in prison and heavy fines. These laws apply even if you are only transiting through the airport.
Airports in Belarus have excellent technology and security for detecting illegal items. This is also used to scan the baggage of transiting passengers. You should expect strict enforcement and serious consequences if found in possession of illegal substances.
LGBT+ travellers
Same-sex sexual activity is legal in Belarus. However, Belarus is still a conservative society and the LGBT+ scene is very low profile. Very few LGBT+ people are open about their sexuality. Read more advice for LGBT travellers.
Surrogacy
FCDO advises against commissioning surrogacy arrangements in Belarus.
If you are a British national with existing surrogacy arrangements in Belarus, contact FCDO on 01908 516 666 if you have not already done so.
If you already have surrogacy arrangements in place:
You may wish to ask your surrogacy agency about the safest location where all parties to the surrogacy arrangement can stay. FCDO cannot facilitate evacuation.
In many cases, Belarusian law requires that the surrogate is married. This could affect British nationality for a child born under such a surrogacy arrangement. You should seek specialist UK legal advice about nationality determinations, Parental Orders and what you need for travel documents.
Seek in-country legal advice. This is important for issues like legalising UK documents, notarising Belarusian documents, document processing and the maximum period of stay the authorities will allow. Due to the security challenges, FCDO cannot confirm which lawyers are currently offering services. The surrogacy process in Belarus can be lengthy and complicated.
From the section “Medication” of the UK government's travel advice for Belarus, written for British travellers. Reproduced without changes to the wording; formatting adapted.
The availability of local medical supplies cannot be guaranteed – bring all essential medication with you.
The legal status and regulation of some medicines prescribed or bought in the UK can be different in other countries.
Practical suggestions from Trip Rulebook, based on open data and fixed rules. They are not safety or legal advice: rules on clothing, medicines and restricted items are covered only by the official text on this page.
Chargers and plugs
Plug typesCF
Voltage230/400 V
Frequency50 Hz
Plug and voltage data: Wikipedia, “Mains electricity by country”, CC BY-SA 4.0 (licence), retrieved 2026-09-29. Sockets in hotels can differ; the label on your charger (for example “INPUT 100–240V”) tells you which voltages it accepts.
Clothes for the weather
Rainfall Average temperature
January
Average
-5 °C (24 °F)
Lows
-7 °C (19 °F)
Highs
-2 °C (28 °F)
Rain
42 mm (1.6 in)
Warm jacket or coat, jumper and long trousers.
Nights below freezing on average: hat, gloves and warm layers.
Some rain on average: a compact umbrella.
February
Average
-4 °C (26 °F)
Lows
-7 °C (20 °F)
Highs
-1 °C (31 °F)
Rain
39 mm (1.5 in)
Warm jacket or coat, jumper and long trousers.
Nights below freezing on average: hat, gloves and warm layers.
Some rain on average: a compact umbrella.
March
Average
1 °C (34 °F)
Lows
-3 °C (27 °F)
Highs
5 °C (40 °F)
Rain
38 mm (1.5 in)
Warm jacket or coat, jumper and long trousers.
Nights below freezing on average: hat, gloves and warm layers.
Some rain on average: a compact umbrella.
April
Average
8 °C (47 °F)
Lows
3 °C (38 °F)
Highs
13 °C (56 °F)
Rain
38 mm (1.5 in)
Warm jacket or coat, jumper and long trousers.
Some rain on average: a compact umbrella.
May
Average
14 °C (57 °F)
Lows
8 °C (47 °F)
Highs
20 °C (67 °F)
Rain
64 mm (2.5 in)
Light jacket or fleece and long sleeves.
Some rain on average: a compact umbrella.
June
Average
17 °C (63 °F)
Lows
12 °C (53 °F)
Highs
23 °C (73 °F)
Rain
72 mm (2.8 in)
Light jacket or fleece and long sleeves.
Some rain on average: a compact umbrella.
July
Average
19 °C (67 °F)
Lows
14 °C (57 °F)
Highs
25 °C (76 °F)
Rain
88 mm (3.4 in)
Light clothes, with a light layer for the evenings.
Some rain on average: a compact umbrella.
August
Average
18 °C (65 °F)
Lows
13 °C (55 °F)
Highs
24 °C (75 °F)
Rain
63 mm (2.5 in)
Light clothes, with a light layer for the evenings.
Some rain on average: a compact umbrella.
September
Average
13 °C (56 °F)
Lows
8 °C (47 °F)
Highs
18 °C (65 °F)
Rain
55 mm (2.1 in)
Light jacket or fleece and long sleeves.
Some rain on average: a compact umbrella.
October
Average
7 °C (45 °F)
Lows
4 °C (38 °F)
Highs
11 °C (51 °F)
Rain
54 mm (2.1 in)
Warm jacket or coat, jumper and long trousers.
Some rain on average: a compact umbrella.
November
Average
2 °C (35 °F)
Lows
0 °C (31 °F)
Highs
4 °C (39 °F)
Rain
45 mm (1.8 in)
Warm jacket or coat, jumper and long trousers.
Nights below freezing on average: hat, gloves and warm layers.
Some rain on average: a compact umbrella.
December
Average
-3 °C (27 °F)
Lows
-5 °C (23 °F)
Highs
0 °C (31 °F)
Rain
44 mm (1.7 in)
Warm jacket or coat, jumper and long trousers.
Nights below freezing on average: hat, gloves and warm layers.
Some rain on average: a compact umbrella.
National averages for 1991-2020. Coasts, mountains and regions can be very different, and any given year can be warmer, colder or wetter. Suggestions come from fixed rules based on these averages. Climate data: World Bank Climate Change Knowledge Portal, observed climate data (CRU TS), CRU TS (cru_ts4.09), Climatic Research Unit, University of East Anglia, CC BY 4.0 (licence).
What is acceptable to wear is a matter of local law and custom: read Local laws and customs.
Packing checklist
A general list for any trip. Ticks are not saved.
Entry requirements and visas
Visa and entry rules depend on your nationality and change often, so Trip Rulebook does not summarise them. Each government explains the rules for its own citizens. If you travel on another passport, check with the embassy or the official immigration website of Belarus.
This page is guidance, not legal advice. Laws and advice change without notice and are written for each government's own citizens, so they may apply to you differently. Confirm everything with the official source before you travel. Terms of use.