Verified as of 15/06/2026
Opening a Bank Account in Belarus as a Foreigner
Belarus has a well-developed banking system accessible to foreign nationals. This guide covers requirements, card networks, transfers and the main banks — with an honest picture of the current international sanctions context.
Requirements
- Passport — A valid passport is sufficient. Some banks may require a certified Russian or Belarusian translation if the passport is not in Cyrillic.
- Belarusian address — You must provide a local address, typically confirmed by temporary registration with the immigration office (available online or in person).
- Belarusian phone number — Required for contact and mobile banking security. Obtainable easily at any operator's store with a passport.
- Registration receipt — Proof of address registration issued by the immigration authorities.
Opening Procedure
- In-branch — Most banks require an in-person visit to open a personal account. Staff will walk you through account types, cards and fees. Many branches in Minsk have English-speaking staff.
- Remote opening (new) — Since 2025, some Belarusian banks offer remote account opening for foreigners via video identification. Check directly with the bank whether this option is available.
- Timeline — Typically 1–3 working days once all documents are in order.
Account Features
- Current accounts and debit cards available for non-residents, with specific terms for foreigners.
- Multi-currency accounts: BYN, USD, EUR, RUB — with straightforward in-branch or online exchange.
- Mobile banking apps available at all major banks with English-language support at some.
Card Networks
local
Belkart
Belarus's national payment system. Works at all ATMs and POS terminals throughout the country. When linked to Mir, also valid in Russia and CIS partner countries.
CIS
Mir
Russian network. Accepted in Belarus, Russia, Armenia. Limited acceptance in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Turkey. Not accepted in EU/US.
international
UnionPay
Chinese network. Available at several Belarusian banks. Works in China, most of Asia, Africa, and a growing number of countries worldwide. Best option for international use.
restricted
Visa / Mastercard
Still issuable at some banks for local use. International functionality is limited due to sanctions: Mastercard from some banks stops working in Europe from April 2026. Useful inside Belarus; verify before relying on it abroad.
Receiving and Sending Funds
Several major Belarusian banks are subject to international sanctions, which may restrict SWIFT wire transfers to/from certain countries. Always confirm the current status directly with your bank before making an international transfer.
- SWIFT / IBAN — Available via banks not under SWIFT restrictions. Transfers in various currencies to and from foreign banks. Timeline: 2–5 business days.
- SPFS — Russia's interbank messaging system. Used for RUB transfers between Belarus and Russia.
- CIPS / UnionPay — China's cross-border interbank payment system and UnionPay transfers, useful for CNY transactions.
- Cryptocurrency — Legal in Belarus since 2018. Licensed crypto exchanges allow converting crypto to BYN or directly to cards.
- Cash — You can bring cash into Belarus. Declare any amount at customs — even below €10,000 — to simplify future proof of origin.
Indicative Costs
Figures are approximate and vary by bank. Always confirm directly.
| Item | Indicative cost |
|---|---|
| Account opening | Free – 25 BYN |
| Debit card (non-resident/mo) | 3–5 BYN |
| Premium card / mo | 6–10 BYN |
| Multi-currency account / mo | from 2 BYN |
| ATM withdrawal (partner) | 0–2 % |
| Foreign currency transfer | 0.2–0.5 % (min. 10–20 BYN) |
| FX spread over official rate | 1–3 % |
Summary
Opening a bank account in Belarus as a foreigner is straightforward: passport, local registration and a Belarusian phone number are all you need. The banking system is modern and cost-competitive. For international operations, Belkart-Mir and UnionPay are the most reliable networks today; SWIFT remains available via non-sanctioned banks but the landscape is evolving — always verify before international transfers.
Major Banks in Belarus
Standard opening hours: Monday–Friday 09:00–18:00; may vary by branch. Sanction status as of mid-2025 — verify current situation before opening.
Some banks in the table are subject to international sanctions that may limit their ability to process cross-border transfers or issue cards accepted internationally. This does not prevent opening a local account, but does affect international usability.
| Logo | Bank | Main Address (Minsk) | Website | Phone | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Belarusbank | 18 Dzerzhinski Ave., 220089 | belarusbank.by | +375 17 218 84 31 | EU sanctions |
 |
Belinvestbank | 29 Masherov Ave., 220002 | belinvestbank.by | +375 17 239 02 39 | EU sanctions / SWIFT restricted |
 |
Priorbank | 31-A V. Khoruzhey St., 220002 | priorbank.by | +375 17 289 90 90 | Canadian sanctions |
 |
Belgazprombank | 60/2 Pritytskiy St., 220121 | belgazprombank.by | +375 17 229 16 61 | EU sanctions |
 |
BPS-Sberbank | 6 Mulyavin Boulevard, 220005 | bps-sberbank.by | +375 29 514 81 48 | EU sanctions |
 |
Alfa-Bank | 43 Surganova St., apt. 47, 220013 | alfa-bank.by | +375 17 200 17 00 | EU/US sanctions (Dec 2025) |
 |
MTBank | 10 Tolstogo St., 220007 | mtbank.by | +375 17 229 99 00 | — |
 |
Belagroprombank | 3 Zukhova Ave, 220036 | belapb.by | +375 17 229 16 61 | EU sanctions / SWIFT restricted |