Belarus Banks: Safe Or Risky Business?

Belarus is home to some of the last truly wild, untouched areas in Europe, including forests such as Bielaviežkaja Pušča National Park, as well as fascinating historical landmarks such as Mir Castle and Brest Fortress. However, despite its beauty, the country has been deemed unsafe by most world governments due to its political situation and implication in the war in neighbouring Ukraine. While the violent crime rate is low, the government is notoriously repressive, and the country has few consular or diplomatic relationships with Western countries. So, are the banks in Belarus safe?

Violent crime is rare in Belarus

Belarus is generally a safe place for travellers. Violent crimes against travellers are rare, but it is always good to exercise common sense. If you find yourself in a dangerous situation, it is recommended that you comply with the perpetrator's demands or try to walk away and find a safe place.

The biggest threat to travellers in Belarus is petty theft, particularly on public transport, sleeper trains, and in popular tourist destinations around Minsk. It is recommended that you remain cautious, alert, and aware of your surroundings and belongings at all times. Keep your wallet, bag, or backpack zipped shut and in front of you, and do not carry large sums of money with you or draw attention to yourself. It is also advised that you do not wear flashy jewellery or fancy clothing, as wealthy tourists are prime targets for thieves.

Another target for thieves in Belarus is European, Japanese, and American-made SUVs and luxury cars. Car theft and theft of car parts are common, so it is recommended that you park in secure overnight parking areas and do not leave valuables on the back seat of the car. Instead, hide your belongings in the boot or beneath the seats if you must keep them in the car.

In addition to petty theft, there have been reports of drink spiking and travellers being drugged in nightclubs. It can be challenging to tell if your drink has been spiked, so it is advised that you never accept a drink from a stranger, always keep your hand over your drink, and never leave your drink unattended.

While violent crime is rare in Belarus, it is important to be vigilant and take precautions to ensure your safety. Always be aware of your surroundings, stay in well-lit areas at night, and avoid isolated areas. It is also recommended that you familiarise yourself with the local laws and customs and enrol in the Smart Traveller Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security alerts and make it easier to be located in an emergency.

Petty theft is common in Belarus

While Belarus is generally considered a safe place for travellers, violent crimes do occur, and tourists are advised to exercise common sense. The biggest threat to visitors is petty theft, particularly on public transport, sleeper trains, and in popular tourist destinations around Minsk.

How to protect yourself from theft in Belarus

• Be cautious, alert, and aware of your surroundings and belongings at all times.
• Keep your wallet, bag, or backpack zipped shut and in front of you.
• Men should try to keep their wallets in their front pockets rather than their back pockets.
• Don't carry large sums of money with you, or draw attention to yourself.
• Don't wear flashy jewellery or fancy clothing, as wealthy tourists are prime targets for thieves.
• Park your car in secure overnight parking areas, and don't leave valuables on the back seat of the car. Hide your belongings in the boot or beneath seats.

Other common issues in Belarus

In addition to petty theft, other issues travellers may encounter in Belarus include civil unrest, drink spiking, corruption, and bribery.

Civil unrest

Belarus is an authoritarian state with little tolerance for political unrest or dissension. Foreign travellers are advised to stay away from any political demonstrations, marches, or large public gatherings.

Drink spiking

There have been reports of drugged travellers by drink spiking in nightclubs. To avoid this:

• Never accept a drink from a stranger.
• Don't leave your drink unattended.
• Keep your hand over your drink in nightclubs or bars.
• Don't drink anything you didn't open yourself or see being poured by a bartender.

Corruption and bribery

The government of Belarus is notoriously opaque, and the authorities are strict and arbitrary in their application of the country's laws. There have been incidents of foreigners being targeted and spied on by police and secret agents. In addition, the police may not be responsive if you are a victim of a crime.

Corruption and bribery are common in Belarus

Belarus is considered a safe place for travellers, but violent crimes and civil unrest can occur. The country is an authoritarian state with a weak justice system, and corruption and bribery are common. Belarus has a score of 37 on the 2023 Corruption Perceptions Index, ranking 98th out of 180 countries. This indicates that corruption is widespread in the country.

In the past, Belarus has been rocked by nationwide protests over rigged election results and police brutality, with observers noting violence and ill-treatment of citizens by the police. The country's authoritarian governance and heavily controlled state apparatus have created an efficient and punitive system that may deter lower-level administrative corruption. However, corruption is more centralised in the hands of a few powerful individuals and political elites. The state controls 70% of the economy, and integrity systems are unable to hold powerful officials accountable, making grand corruption common.

A lack of independent bodies to investigate corruption cases further exacerbates the problem. Trials are often conducted behind closed doors, and the judiciary's impartiality remains doubtful. The Council of Europe's anti-corruption body, GRECO, declared Belarus "non-compliant" in 2019 for failing to address necessary anti-corruption reforms.

Civil society and independent media also face challenges in accessing data on corruption due to state control. Journalists reporting on corruption have been jailed, limiting their ability to expose wrongdoing. International organisations and experts are similarly restricted from assessing the situation due to a lack of adequate information.

While some efforts have been made to fight bribery and corruption, such as increased investigations by law enforcement agencies, the overall lack of transparency and accountability in Belarus's political and economic systems perpetuates a culture of corruption and bribery.

Foreigners are targeted by thieves

Belarus is generally considered a safe place for travellers, with violent crimes against foreigners being rare. However, it is important to remain vigilant, as criminals have been known to use force if their victims resist. The biggest threat to travellers in Belarus is petty theft, particularly on public transport, sleeper trains, and in popular tourist destinations around Minsk. Wealthy tourists are often targeted by thieves, so it is important to avoid wearing flashy jewellery or expensive clothing.

• Be cautious, alert, and aware of your surroundings at all times.
• Keep your wallet, bag, or backpack zipped shut and in front of you.
• Men should try to keep their wallets in their front pockets instead of their back pockets.
• Avoid carrying large sums of money, and try not to draw attention to yourself.
• When driving, park in secure overnight parking areas, and don't leave valuables in your car. If you must leave belongings in the car, hide them in the boot or under the seats.
• Keep a copy of your passport in a separate location from your original.
• Be wary of drink spiking in nightclubs and bars. Never accept a drink from a stranger, and don't leave your drink unattended.
• Avoid public demonstrations and protests as they can be confrontational, and force may be used against participants.

By following these precautions, foreigners can reduce their risk of being targeted by thieves in Belarus.

The police force is indifferent to crime victims

While Belarus is considered a safe place for travellers, with violent crimes against visitors being rare, the police force has been described as indifferent at best and hostile towards victims at worst. Travellers have reported that the police were unhelpful when they tried to report a crime. This indifference may be due, in part, to the fact that the police and security services are loyal to the government, and opposition can result in an immediate crackdown.

The biggest threat to travellers in Belarus is petty theft, particularly on public transport, sleeper trains, and in popular tourist destinations in Minsk. Travellers should be cautious and aware of their surroundings and belongings at all times. It is recommended to keep wallets, bags, and backpacks zipped shut and in front of you, and to avoid carrying large sums of money or drawing attention to yourself.

Belarus has been described as one of the last communist countries in Europe, with an authoritarian government that does not tolerate political unrest or dissent. The country has been implicated in the war in neighbouring Ukraine and is closely allied with the Russian government, which has military operations in the country. As such, most world governments advise their citizens against visiting Belarus due to the political situation and ongoing civil unrest.

In addition to the risk of petty theft, travellers to Belarus should also be aware of the risk of drink spiking and corruption or bribery. It is important to never accept a drink from a stranger and to never leave your drink unattended. There have also been reports of prostitutes soliciting in hotels, particularly smaller, local hotels.

Frequently asked questions