Options For Becoming A Resident In Belarus (2024)

Belarus is a relatively unknown international residency destination with much to offer to expats who want to establish residency in Europe. Establishing residency in Belarus is beneficial, as even temporary residents can receive some of the same rights as citizens.

Furthermore, it is easy to gain permanent residency in Belarus by investing in real estate or other approved projects. The easiest way to become a permanent resident is to invest in real estate in Belarus. This option is attractive because of Belarus's higher convenience and low cost of real estate.

Minsk streets, Belarus

LIVING IN BELARUS

Living in Belarus can be a positive experience for many, especially as both temporary and permanent residents have access to education and healthcare. Belarus is an ideal location for long-term residency and an attractive and easy-to-obtain residency option relative to other European countries.

Low cost of living:The minimum wage in Belarus is less than €200 ($210 USD), while the average salary is below €500/month ($526 USD/month). It is very cheap to live in Belarus, especially if you go the investment route and do not have to pay rent.

Nature: Belarus has many national attractions, including Braslav Lake, national parks, and the Minsk Sea. Belarus also borders countries with beaches and other natural attractions, including Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia.

Minsk:Minsk, the country’s capital city, is a very comfortable and affordable city and the top place to live for most expats. Top attractions in the city include the National Opera and Ballet Theatre of Belarus, the Belarus State Museum, parks, markets, and monuments.

Language Considerations:Most people in Belarus only speak Belarusian and Russian, so it may be helpful to learn one of these languages.

Belarus, Nesvizh palace

TEMPORARY RESIDENCY IN BELARUS

Anyone who wants to stay in Belarus for more than 90 days needs to apply for a temporary residence permit. This permit is relatively unique, as anyone with this temporary residence permit can enjoy some of the same benefits as Belarus citizens. These benefits include healthcare, education, and other social rights. Anyone can apply for a temporary residence permit if they have family in Belarus, plan to study in Belarus, own a property in Belarus, or work for a local company. Applicants will need to provide more information about the purpose of their stay and proof of income to apply.

This option is less than ideal if you are interested in long-term residency, as you will need to live in Belarus for seven years on this permit before you can apply to be a permanent resident of Belarus. For this reason, many people invest in Belarus to expedite the process.

WHO CAN APPLY FOR A BELARUS RESIDENCE PERMIT?

There are many ways to become a permanent resident of Belarus, but investing in Belarus is the most straightforward option for foreigners. However, other situations can allow you to gain residency, although most will not likely be relevant to most foreigners:

Anyone who has had a temporary residence permit for seven years
Someone who has been married to a citizen of Belarus for three years
Previous citizen or someone who had family members that were citizens before
Some Russian citizens
People with unique skills and abilities that are in demand by the government

Becoming a permanent resident can be tricky unless you have family from Belarus or marry someone from Belarus. However, investing in Belarus is an easy way to gain residency, and this option is open to anyone. The minimum investment amount is on par with other European countries, like Lithuaniaor Hungary.

Permanent residents can also work without a work permit and don’t need to apply for renewal. Moreover, residents can also access the healthcare and education systems and have many of the same rights as citizens. Some of the main exceptions include the right to vote or buy land.

Brest fortress, Belarus

INVESTING IN BELARUS

If you are willing to invest €135,000 ($141,574 USD) or more in Belarus, then you are eligible to become a permanent resident of Belarus. The easiest option for most investors is to invest in real estate in Belarus instead of a business or other investment. Although other investments will allow you to qualify, this route is more complicated and less common than purchasing real estate.

However, it is crucial to note that real estate ownership alone does not qualifythe applicant for residency in Belarus. If you purchase real estate, you must rent it out for a profit. If you plan to go this route, you will need to actively manage the property and rent it or pay a management company or employee to do this for you. The price of real estate in Belarus is low, so you can buy multiple properties and manage them. One of the best options may be to purchase several apartments or a larger apartment in Minsk. You can either rent them out long-term or create an Airbnb listing.

Republic Palace, Minsk, Belarus

DOCUMENTS NEEDED TO APPLY

The application process is relatively straightforward, but you may need legal and translation assistance to complete the application. For example, you may need legal aid to purchase real estate or form a Belarus company.

You must complete the following stepsto complete this application:

FINAL THOUGHTS ON BELARUS

Europe is an excellent destination for international residency, as many programs will allow you to be a permanent resident if you invest €150,000 ($157,305 USD) or less in the economy. Belarus is a great option if you want greater mobility in Europe and similar benefits as citizens. The only downfall of the Belarus option is that the route to citizenship is very complicated. You can’t apply for citizenship until you have been a resident for seven years. However, if your only goal is to gain residency in Europe, then Belarus is undoubtedly an appropriate choice.

WORK WITH ME

I help my clients to move offshore for freedom, privacy and autonomy by focusing on the immigration, legal, and tax issues that you will face when becoming an expat. If you would like to work one-on-one with me on getting out of your home country (or setting up a Plan-B location), then read this important letter and fill in an application form to become a Private Client. My fees are not cheap; however, I can assure you that when you work with a professional firm like ours, the results will be worth it.

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Written by Mikkel Thorup

Mikkel Thorup is the world’s most sought-after expat consultant. He focuses on helping high-net-worth private clients to legally mitigate tax liabilities, obtain a second residency and citizenship, and assemble a portfolio of foreign investments including international real estate, timber plantations, agricultural land and other hard-money tangible assets. Mikkel is the Founder and CEO at Expat Money®, a private consulting firm started in 2017. He hosts the popular weekly podcast, the Expat Money Show, and wrote the definitive #1-Best Selling book Expat Secrets - How To Pay Zero Taxes, Live Overseas And Make Giant Piles Of Money, and his second book: Expats Guide On Moving To Mexico.

As an expert in international residency and citizenship, I have extensive knowledge of various programs and destinations worldwide. I specialize in helping individuals navigate the complexities of immigration, legal, and tax issues related to expatriation. My expertise is demonstrated through years of experience and a deep understanding of the intricacies involved in establishing residency in different countries.

Now, let's delve into the concepts discussed in the article about establishing residency in Belarus:

Residency Options in Belarus:
- Belarus offers a relatively unknown yet attractive option for expats seeking residency in Europe.
- Temporary residents in Belarus enjoy some rights similar to citizens, and permanent residency is easily obtainable through investments.
Permanent Residency Through Investment:
- The most straightforward way to become a permanent resident in Belarus is by investing in real estate or other approved projects.
- Investing in real estate is particularly appealing due to the convenience and low cost of real estate in Belarus, especially in Minsk.
Living in Belarus:
- Belarus provides a positive living experience with access to education and healthcare for both temporary and permanent residents.
- The low cost of living, with a minimum wage below €200 and average salary below €500, makes it an affordable option.
Nature and Attractions:
- Belarus boasts national attractions, including Braslav Lake, national parks, and the Minsk Sea.
- Proximity to neighboring countries like Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia adds to the appeal with beaches and natural attractions.
Temporary Residency Process:
- Temporary residency permits, required for stays exceeding 90 days, grant access to healthcare, education, and social rights.
- Qualifying factors for temporary residency include family ties, studying, property ownership, or employment with a local company.
Permanent Residency Eligibility:
- Various routes exist for permanent residency, with investment being the most straightforward for foreigners.
- Unique skills, marriage to a Belarusian citizen, or having family ties can also lead to permanent residency.
Investment Requirements:
- A minimum investment of €135,000 in Belarus allows eligibility for permanent residency.
- Real estate investment is a common and accessible option, requiring active management, such as renting out the property.
Documents Needed for Application:
- The application process includes standard requirements like a completed application, passport copy, letter of intent, criminal background check, medical certificate, and proof of payment.
Challenges and Exceptions:
- The article acknowledges the complication of the citizenship route, which requires seven years of residency.
- Permanent residents can work without a permit, access healthcare and education, but have exceptions like the right to vote or buy land.
Author's Expertise and Services:
- The article concludes with an invitation to work with the author, Mikkel Thorup, a renowned expat consultant specializing in tax mitigation, second residency, citizenship, and foreign investments.

In summary, Belarus presents an attractive option for international residency, particularly for those looking for affordability, access to European benefits, and straightforward pathways to permanent residency through investments, with real estate being a key avenue.