Travelling with children to Belarus

ENTRY VISA
The entry of children of minority age, who are citizens of foreign states, to Belarus is carried out only with a valid passport (any other corresponding document meant for travelling abroad), as well as a visa.

In case of including the parents travelling together and children of minority age, entered in their passport, in the entry visa, the passport of the parents should necessarily include the photographs of children.

Children under 16 years old receive the visa free of charge, except for some foreign departments, where payment has to be made for expenses connected with the issuance of the visa.

AGE OF MAJORITY
In Belarus the age of majority is 18. Citizens of minor age are prohibited to: buy alcohol and tobacco products, visit events in night locations, as well as enter gambling clubs and casinos.

According to the current law, the responsibility of the parents (guardians, curators) to accompany children under 16 years old within the period from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. out of their home or provide their accompaniment by citizens of majority age is established in Belarus. In case if children under 16 are found in public places at night time, administrative responsibility is determined in regard to their parents and persons substituting them.

TRAVEL AND TRANSPORTATION
In Belarus driving light vehicles is allowed to persons who reached the age of 18, mopeds and scooters – the age of 16 (with the national driver’s license of international type).

When trains depart from the stations of the Belarusian Railroad (only inside Belarus) children under 5 years old, who are travelling with adults, are issued tickets free of charge. Only one child under 5 years old can travel free of charge with one adult. The purchasing of children’s tickets is possible for the travel of children from 5 to 10 years old. The cost of the children’s ticket amounts to about 35% of the adult ticket (the actual value is calculated when reserving places).

Children under 10 years old are not allowed to travel by trains of the Belarusian Railroad without the accompaniment of adults.

Air travel by planes of the National Airline “Belavia” is offered to children under 2 years old – without the necessity to buy a separate place – with a 90% discount, children from 2 to 12 years old – with the obligatory purchasing of a seat – with a 25% discount.

The travel in long-distance buses on the territory of Belarus is carried out the in following way: for children under 5 years old – free of charge, without purchasing a seat; at the age from 5 to 10 years old – with a seat and with a 50% discount.

Travel in public transport of Minsk for foreign citizens under 6 years old is free of charge.

According to the rules of the road effective in Belarus, when children under 12 years old are travelling on the back seat of a light vehicle, the use of a special children’s holding chair is recommended. A passenger of major age travelling on the back seat of a light vehicle can lap one child under 12 years old on the condition that this passenger is buckled up.

ACCOMMODATION
Accommodation in most of the hotels of Belarus for children under 8 years old is free of charge. Additional living conditions should be defined in each specific hotel.

VISITING CULTURAL PUBLIC PLACES
When visiting cultural and recreation facilities of Belarus, as a rule, children accompanied by parents are given discounts on children’s tickets of up to 100%, depending on the age. Thus, the visiting of the Minsk Zoo for children under 5 years old is free of charge. Children under 3 years old accompanied by parents (one child per one parent) are allowed to visit the Belarusian State Circus without the necessity of buying a ticket.

MEDICAL TREATMENT
Medical treatment (planned, emergency, acute) is provided to all foreign citizens (irrespective of age) on a paid basis. Exclusions are foreign citizens from member states of the Commonwealth of Independent States.

For the purpose of nurturing nursing and minor children (changing, feeding) most of the large trade centers, stations and airports of Belarus have rooms for mothers of children.

SEARCH
In case if a child is lost while in Belarus, it is necessary to call 102. The search for lost citizens (including foreign citizens) is carried out by calling the hot line of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Belarus: +375 17 218 72 22.