Packing list for Belarus, travel insurance for Belarus and taking your belongings

What to take to Belarus: brief

To pack and check:

• Documents: a passport that is valid for at least 3 months upon arrival. Whether you need a visa depends on the length of your stay, so check this carefully in advance. It is advisable to keep copies of your passport, travel insurance, and other important documents, both digitally and on paper.
• Money: Belarus uses the Belarusian rouble. Foreign bank cards are hardly accepted anywhere, so bringing enough cash is essential, for example, in euros or US dollars.
• Clothing: clothing suitable for the season in which you are travelling. In summer, lightweight clothing and layers are useful, while winter requires warm clothing. Think of a warm jacket, thermal clothing, a fleece or wool layer, a hat, gloves, and warm socks. Long trousers and long-sleeved shirts are useful for walks, also because of ticks and mosquitoes.
• Shoes: comfortable shoes or sneakers for city trips. In winter, warm and waterproof shoes are important.
• Care and hygiene: sunscreen, lip balm, hand sanitiser, tissues, wet wipes and enough personal care products.
• Packing and protection: a rain cover for your backpack or daypack for when you go hiking.
• Insects and animals: insect repellent with DEET or picaridin and a tick remover, especially if you are going hiking or camping or spending time in forests in summer. Long clothing and, if needed, permethrin-treated clothing provide extra protection.
• Medicines and travel first-aid kit: a small first-aid kit and your personal medication in its original packaging.
• Outdoors and handy items: sunglasses, a sun hat or cap, a reusable water bottle, a small daypack and a lightweight scarf or buff.
• Technology and equipment: a travel adapter for type C and F sockets. A power bank is useful, though. Download important documents, maps, and translation information in advance, as internet access and mobile services are not always reliable.

To consider:

• Offline maps and an offline Russian or Belarusian translation app.
• A supply of (vegetarian or vegan) snacks for longer journeys.
• Swimwear and a quick-drying towel in case you fancy taking a dip in a lake.

Are there dangerous insects in Belarus?

Are there mosquitoes in Belarus?

• As in other European countries, mosquitoes are most common during the warmer months. There is no risk of malaria in Belarus, and other mosquito-borne diseases are also uncommon.
• Long clothing and insect repellent containing DEET or picaridin help prevent insect bites.
• Read more about mosquitoes.
• Read more about the use of DEET, as well as other ways to protect yourself against mosquitoes and insects.

Are there sandflies in Belarus?

• Sandflies are not a problem in Belarus.
• Read more about sand flies.
• Read more about protection against sand flies and sand fleas.

Are there ticks in Belarus?

• Going to forests, grasslands, or other natural areas? A tick remover is important. Covering clothing and insect repellents also help protect you, just as they do against mosquitoes.
• Read more about ticks.
• Read more about protection against ticks and leeches.

Are DEET, or other insect repellents, available in Belarus?

• It is possible to buy various insect repellents in Belarus.
• When you want to be sure you have the repellent of your choice, it's best to bring it with you, though.

Is it legal to buy a joint or weed in Belarus, or bring it with you to Belarus?

• Belarus is no drug paradise. On the contrary, drugs, including cannabis, are illegal in Belarus, and severe penalties apply to use, trafficking, and possession.
• If you bring cannabis, CBD products, or other recreational drugs into Belarus, you risk severe penalties.