Do Germany passport holders need a visa to visit BY?

German ordinary passport holders can visit Belarus visa-free for up to 30 days. Belarus is NOT in the Schengen area, so the Schengen 90/180 rule and ETIAS do not apply here. Germany is one of 38 European countries covered by Belarus's unilateral visa-free regime, which the President extended through 31 December 2026. German citizens holding an ordinary passport may enter without a visa and stay up to 30 days from the date of entry, with total visa-free time capped at 90 days per calendar year across unlimited trips. The key practical detail: this 30-day visa-free regime applies to entry through all international road and rail border crossings. Crucially, you cannot use it to cross the Belarus-Russia border (entering or transiting to/from Russia is excluded), since there is no formal passport control there. A separate visa-free channel exists for arrivals at Minsk National Airport (originally up to 30 days), but travelers flying in should confirm current air-entry rules and avoid combining a Belarus visit with onward travel to Russia. Belarus is not a Schengen or EU member, so the Schengen 90/180 short-stay rule and the upcoming ETIAS authorization are irrelevant for this route. Standard conditions apply: a passport valid for the duration of stay (carriers and best practice favor 6 months' validity beyond departure), proof of sufficient funds, and onward/return arrangements. Travel medical insurance valid in Belarus is strongly recommended and may be checked at the border.