Belarus
PRACTICALITIESCurrencyBelarussian ruble (BYR)Official languagesBelarussian, RussianTimeGMT + 2Calling code+375Area codesBrest: 16, Hrodna: 15, Gomel: 23, Minsk: 17, Mahilyow: 22, Vitebsk: 21Internet TLD.byShoppingGenerally shops are open Monday–Saturday from 9am to 8pm.National holidays
| New Year’s Day |
January 1 |
| Orthodox Christmas |
January 7 |
| Women’s Day |
March 8 |
| Constitution Day |
March 15 |
| Orthodox Easter |
movable feast |
| Labour Day |
May 1 |
| Victory Day |
May 9 |
| Independence Day |
July 3 |
| Remembrance Day |
November 2 |
| Catholic Christmas |
December 25 & 26 |
National dish
Khaladnik – cold soup
Borshch – traditional beetroot soup
Kapustnyak – soup made from pork and sauerkraut
Halubki – stuffed cabbage
Deruny – potato pancakes
ElectricityUkraine’s electricity runs on 220V/50Hz. Passport/VisaVisas are required to enter Belarus. Only citizens of the Commonwealth of Independent States (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan), Cuba, Korea, Macedonia, Mongolia, Vietnam, Serbia and Montenegro. Citizens of other states have to apply for a vista at the consulate or the embassy of Belarus. Usually, visas are issued within 5 business days. Necessary documents for a Belarusian visa application: a valid passport, one passport-sized colour photograph, a copy of the ticket or a valid via of the country the applicant is travelling to/from (only for transit visa), a letter of invitation (only for short- and long- term visas). The standard visa fee is £63.Useful numbersAmbulance: 03Fire Brigade: 01Police: 02