The national currency in Belarus is the Belarusian ruble. And in this article we will answer the main questions of any traveler:

• places to exchange money,
• exchange rate,
• payment by bank cards,

Also you will learn some interesting facts about the ruble, as well as we will give tips and lifehacks that can help in traveling this beautiful country.

Let’s start with the most important thing: in 2017, a denomination was carried out and four zeros disappeared from banknotes. In one night, Belarus turned from a country of millionaires into a country of working class. For the first time, coins were entered into circulation.

If you remember the times when changing 100 EUR in an exchange office you get a pack of paper money in the amount of two million rubles, then now there is no such things.

Interesting fact about the Belarusian ruble (BYN)

• Belarusians call it «bunny» («zaichik»), since in 1991 the first independent banknote depicted a running rabbit.
• Until 2017, Belarus and 6 more countries were the only countries in the world with paper money only.
• The largest banknote in the country is 500 rubles (about 200 euros), the average salary in the country is 700 rubles, and the minimum official wage is 250 rubles.
• The largest coin is 2 rubles (about 80 eurocents).
• Payment in any other currency except the «bunny» is a criminal offense. Therefore, not every taxi driver, carrying you from the airport, will take euros or dollars.

The currency in Belarus

As of spring 2019, the current exchange rates are as follows:

• 1 USD — 2,15 BYN
• 1 Euro — 2.45 BYN
• 100 RUB — 3.25 BYN
• 100 UAH — 7.93 BYN

In detail about the prices in the Republic of Belarus, about food, restaurants, hotels, car rental and much more, read the article: Prices in Belarus.

A currency converter that works in real time with current rates is presented for convenience below.

Where to exchange foreign currency for the Belarusian ruble and back

Important: there are no private exchange offices in the country, there are no “currency changers” or “money changers” on the streets. Currency can be changed only in exchange offices and in banks.

Only a bank with the appropriate license can open an exchange office. Due to this, Belarus has minimized shady schemes and frauds with both currency exchange and fixed rates.

The rate in any bank or exchange office differs slightly among themselves and when exchanging small amounts (200-300 euros), you most likely will not see the difference. The exchange rate in the entire banking system is regulated by law and is linked to the rate of the National Bank.

Exchange offices can be found:

• in any shopping mall or supermarket
• on major streets of the city and main avenues
• in any bank
• at the railway station
• at the central bus station
• in the airport

Tip: how to get from the airport to Minsk without cash

If the exchange office is closed at the airport or you do not have cash, you cannot pay with a card in a Belarusian taxi, and Uber taxi will not arrive, as the airport is 40 km from the city.

Use online taxi booking. The average cost of a trip from the airport is about 20-25 euros, only a card is needed. This is 2-3 times cheaper than catching a taxi at the airport. If you book in advance, you will be met in the arrivals area with a sign.

Or you can try to call the car in a taxi service on short numbers: 185 or 135. Here the prices are also fixed: about 20-25 euros per trip.

Just in no case try to catch a taxi at the airport on the spot, each taxi driver has his own fares, and a trip to Minsk will cost much more. About Minsk taxi will be a separate article.

24H currency exchange offices are only at the railway station, at the airport and on Independence Avenue.

Since 2018, a passport is not required for currency exchange in the amount of up to $ 10000.

If you need to exchange more than $ 10,000, it is better to do it in different banks, breaking it up into smaller amounts. For reference: import into the country of $ 10,000 or more without declaration is prohibited.

Payment with bank cards in Belarus

You will be surprised, but Belarus is the leader in the CIS countries in the use of bank cards among the population. This is a whole national program aimed at introducing non-cash payments in the daily life of the population.

And as a result:

• Nowadays 95% of the country’s population draws a salary on a bank card.
• 99% of pensioners in the country receives a retirement benefit on a bank card.
• All shops even pizza / sushi delivery services are obliged to have terminals for payment by credit card. This is governed by law.
• Nowadays all banks offer loyalty programs with cashbacks and bonuses.

All this led to the fact that today you can pay with a card almost everywhere, except for the markets, in the buses (when buying a ticket from the driver), in a taxi (if it is not Uber).

Therefore, travelers who come to the country for 2-3 days do not exchange currency at all.

Any chip card or magnetic stripe card in any currency of any country in the world will be accepted for payment at any store in Belarus. The main thing is that the card should be Visa or Mastercard.

Currency in Belarus: tips and lifehacks

• The exchange rate at the airport is about the same as in the whole country. So upon arrival or departure you can exchange currency there.
• Even if you come to Minsk for a couple of days with a bank card, exchange 10-50 euros just in case.
• As I wrote above, the payment is only in rubles. If someone offers you to pay in foreign currency, it should alert you.
• You can enter the metro by applying a contactless (chip) card to the turnstile; the cost of the trip is 65 kopecks, which will be automatically deducted from the card. At each station there is a specially equipped turnstile.
• The ATM network is also well developed in the country, so withdrawing money from the card will not be a problem in any area at any time of the day.
• And the last advice: put Belarusian paper money separately from the euro and Russian rubles in your wallet, they are similar in appearance and size, there is a risk of confusion.

In conclusion: this is probably all the basic information about the currency in Belarus. If you have any questions, we will be happy to answer in the comments.