Belarus Airport Stopover: Unexpected Charges?

In 2021, several countries banned Belarusian airlines from using their airspace and landing in their airports. This was in response to the forced landing of a Ryanair flight in Minsk, which resulted in the arrest of a dissident journalist on board. Since then, the security environment in Belarus has remained volatile, with the Australian government advising its citizens not to travel to the country. If you are considering travelling to Belarus, it is important to be aware of the associated risks and the limited consular assistance available in the event of an arrest or detention.

Border crossing requirements for foreign citizens

To cross the border of the Republic of Belarus, foreign citizens and stateless persons must pass border and customs control. They may also be required to pass through automobile, veterinary, sanitary-quarantine, and phytosanitary types of control.

When entering Belarus, you must present the following documents to the border guard:

• A valid passport intended for crossing the border.
• Insurance for a car registered outside Belarus.
• An electronic control stamp confirming payment for disinfection services.

When leaving Belarus, you must present the following documents:

• A valid passport intended for crossing the border.
• Insurance for a car registered outside Belarus.
• A document confirming the payment of a local fee for crossing the border by drivers of vehicles registered in Belarus or abroad.

Foreign citizens and stateless persons can cross the State Border of the Republic of Belarus with the following documents:

• A valid document for travelling abroad (passport) with a visa for citizens of countries with which Belarus has a visa regime.
• A document for returning to the state of citizenship or residence (if the passport is lost on Belarusian territory).

When crossing the State Border of the Republic of Belarus, foreign citizens must:

• Produce a document for travelling abroad with a valid visa for Belarus (if required).
• Upon entry, receive and fill in the migration card. This is produced with the passport to the border service officer at the border checkpoint. The border service officer will then put a mark of entry in the migration card and the passport. The foreign citizen will receive back part "B" of the migration card.
• Upon departure, hand over part "B" of the migration card to the official of the border service body of the Republic of Belarus when passing border control, unless the citizen is temporarily or permanently residing in the country.

The migration card is not filled in when entering or leaving the territory of the Republic of Belarus, and it is not required for foreign citizens who are crossing the State Border for a temporary stay.

When departing from the territory of the Republic of Belarus to the Russian Federation, foreign citizens receive a migration card from the competent authorities of the Republic of Belarus. The migration card must be filled in before entering the Russian Federation and shown to the competent authorities there.

Foreign citizens must also have:

• A medical insurance document issued by a Belarusian or foreign insurance company (except for those who are not obliged to possess medical insurance).
• The driver of the vehicle must have an insurance certificate valid in the Republic of Belarus and confirming civil liability insurance in a member state of the "Green Card" system.

At the border crossing points, it is forbidden to:

• Leave money in documents presented for checking.
• Offer and/or hand over valuables to officials.
• Take photos or videos, including with mobile phones.
• Perform other actions that prevent the implementation of border and other types of control.

On the territory between the state border and a checkpoint, it is prohibited to:

• Park vehicles.
• Board or disembark passengers.
• Load or unload vehicles.
• Stay for purposes not related to border crossing.

Violations of the above requirements lead to administrative liability, including a warning, deportation, or a fine of up to 50 base values.

Foreigners must also have funds for their stay:

• For stays of less than one month, foreigners must have funds equivalent to at least 2 base values, established in the Republic of Belarus, for each day of stay.
• For stays of more than one month, foreigners must have funds equivalent to at least 50 base values.

These funds can be proven with:

• The national currency of the Republic of Belarus or foreign currency convertible by the National Bank of the Republic of Belarus.
• A document that allows the receiving of payment means.
• A document confirming the prepaid accommodation and meals in the Republic of Belarus.
• A letter of guarantee from a legal or private person, confirming the payment of all expenses related to the foreigner's stay and departure from the Republic of Belarus.
• Vehicle or travel tickets to the state of citizenship, permanent residence, or a third country.

It is important to note that the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) advises against all travel to Belarus, as there is a significant risk of arrest if you have engaged in any activity considered illegal by the Belarusian regime.

The EU's ban on Belarusian airlines

On 4 June 2021, the European Union banned Belarusian airlines from flying over EU territory or landing in EU airports. This was in response to the Belarusian government's forced landing of a Ryanair flight from Greece to Lithuania in Minsk on 23 May 2021. The plane was diverted under the pretence of a bomb threat, and Roman Protasevich, an opposition journalist and his girlfriend were arrested.

The EU's decision was part of a series of punitive measures against Belarus, which included the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) issuing a safety directive for all EU aircraft to avoid Belarusian airspace unless in an emergency. The directive was criticised by the global airline industry body, IATA, as it would make flights to Asia longer and more costly.

The ban on Belarusian carriers took effect at midnight Central European Time (2200 GMT) on 4 June 2021. It required EU member states to deny permission for any aircraft operated by Belarusian carriers to land in, take off from, or fly over their territories. This included marketing carriers that sell seats on planes operated by another airline as part of a code-share agreement.

The EU and NATO considered the forced landing of the Ryanair flight to arrest Protasevich and his girlfriend as state piracy. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko accused Protasevich of plotting a rebellion and the West of waging a hybrid war against him. The EU considered targeting sectors central to Belarus's economy, such as bond sales, the oil sector, and key export potash, to inflict punishment on Lukashenko's regime.

The UK's ban on Belarusian airlines

In 2021, the UK government banned Belarusian airlines from flying into Britain in response to the forced landing of a Ryanair flight in Minsk, Belarus, and the subsequent arrest of an opposition journalist, Roman Protasevich.

Protasevich, a prominent Belarusian opposition journalist, was living in exile in Lithuania at the time of the incident. He was the former editor of Nexta, a media outlet with a Telegram channel that played a key role in organising political opposition during the 2020 Belarusian presidential election. The election was won by the incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko, who has been in power for almost 27 years and has been nicknamed "Europe's last dictator". The election is widely believed to have been rigged.

On 23 May 2021, Protasevich was travelling from Athens, Greece, to Vilnius, Lithuania, on a Ryanair flight. While the plane was in Belarusian airspace, the authorities claimed there was a bomb threat and scrambled a fighter jet to force the plane to land in Minsk. Police boarded the plane and arrested Protasevich and his girlfriend, Sofia Sapega.

The UK Foreign Secretary, Dominic Raab, called the interception of the flight a "shocking assault on civil aviation and an assault on international law". The UK Transport Secretary, Grant Shapps, said that the ban on Belarusian airlines was necessary "to keep passengers safe". The UK Civil Aviation Authority also suspended all foreign carrier permits held by Belarusian air carriers and requested that UK-registered airlines avoid flying over Belarus.

The UK's actions were part of a broader international response to the incident, with the European Union and the United States also imposing sanctions on Belarus. The EU banned Belarusian airlines from flying over EU territory or landing in EU airports, and prohibited EU airlines from flying over Belarus. The Biden administration reimplemented full sanctions against nine Belarusian state-owned enterprises.

The volatile security environment in Belarus

Impact of the War in Ukraine:

The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has had a direct effect on Belarus's security. Russia's military action in Ukraine has led to tensions in the region, with several countries imposing sanctions and restrictions on Belarus due to its support for Russia. The Australian government, for instance, has imposed trade measures and targeted sanctions on Belarus.

Russian Military Presence:

Russia's military presence along the Belarus-Ukraine border has contributed to the volatile security environment. Russian forces have conducted military operations from Belarus, which has heightened tensions and led to concerns about potential conflict spreading to Belarus.

Arbitrary Enforcement of Laws:

The Belarusian government has been criticised for its arbitrary enforcement of laws. Broadly defined offences such as 'terrorism propaganda' and 'discrediting' the government, security forces, and military organisations carry severe penalties, including the death penalty for 'high treason'. The enforcement of these laws is unpredictable and can lead to foreigners being targeted and arrested.

Limited Consular Assistance:

Several countries, including Australia, the United States, and New Zealand, have warned their citizens that consular assistance in Belarus is limited. The ability of embassies to provide support to citizens in the event of an emergency or detention is restricted.

Civil Unrest and Political Tension:

Large-scale demonstrations and civil unrest have occurred in Minsk and other Belarusian cities. The authorities have a low tolerance for opposition and often make many arrests. Foreigners may be at risk of harassment, mistreatment, and extortion by local officials.

Travel Restrictions:

Due to the volatile security environment, several countries have advised their citizens to avoid travelling near the borders with Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, and Ukraine. Border crossings with neighbouring states may be closed with little notice, and additional closures are possible.

In summary, the volatile security environment in Belarus is characterised by tensions related to the war in Ukraine, the presence of Russian military forces, arbitrary law enforcement, limited consular assistance, civil unrest, and travel restrictions. These factors contribute to an unpredictable and potentially dangerous situation for travellers.

The risk of arrest for engaging in illegal activity

The FCDO, Australian Government, and other countries advise against all travel to Belarus. The security environment is volatile and could deteriorate at short notice due to Russia's war in neighbouring Ukraine, its military presence along the Belarus border with Ukraine, and the arbitrary enforcement of laws by Belarusian authorities. Belarus imposes strong penalties for very broadly defined and arbitrarily enforced offences, and the risk of arrest is significant if you have ever engaged in any activity considered illegal by the Belarusian regime.

Belarus imposes strong penalties for very broadly defined and arbitrarily enforced offences such as 'terrorism propaganda' and 'discrediting' the Belarusian government, security forces, and military organisations. Penalties may be severe, including the death penalty for 'high treason' under Belarusian law. Belarus also has the death penalty for crimes including murder and 'attempted terrorism'.

Belarus does not recognise dual nationality. If you have both Belarusian and foreign passports, the authorities will consider you Belarusian, even if you enter the country on your foreign passport. This severely limits the consular services provided by foreign governments if you are arrested or detained.

If you are a dual citizen, you are at risk when renewing travel documents in Belarus and should obtain independent legal advice before travelling to or entering the country. If you are in Belarus, you should leave immediately using the limited commercial options available or private means.

You are responsible for your safety and that of your family. Do not attempt to travel to the Belarus-Ukraine border or cross into Ukraine from Belarus. The Australian government, for example, cannot evacuate you from Belarus.

Frequently asked questions