Belarus (BY)
A highly centralised Eastern European country with Soviet-era urban planning, low local costs, strong public transport, good basic infrastructure, sanctions-affected banking, strict migration registration and a complex risk profile for foreign residents.
Digital Services
Digital ID, e-government and essential apps in Belarus.
E-pasluga / national e-services portal
Belarus's e-government portal providing online public services including foreigner registration, public payments, certificate requests, appointment booking and business/tax services. Not a biometric digital ID in the Estonian sense — most services still require local bank, phone or in-person steps.
How to get it: Access at e-pasluga.by. Foreigners may need in-person support at a Minsk or regional service centre. Payment by foreign card can fail — hotels and registered hosts often handle the foreigner registration process on behalf of guests.
E-Government Portal
https://e-pasluga.by/Payment by foreign card can fail due to sanctions restrictions. Hotels and registered hosts may handle foreigner registration on your behalf. Keep receipts and confirmation references for all submissions. App availability and payment options may be affected by international sanctions.
Essential Apps
ExpatCheapRent
FreeExpat-focused cheap rental finder at expatcheaprent.com — compares listings across major rental portals to help newcomers find affordable apartments.
Kufar
FreeBelarus's largest classifieds platform — the primary source for apartment and house rentals in Minsk and other cities, plus furniture, electronics and second-hand goods.
E-pasluga
FreeGovernment e-services portal for registration, public payments, certificates and appointment booking.
ERIP / bank payment app
FreeUtility and public-service payments through the national ERIP system, accessible via Belarusian bank apps — used for electricity, water, internet, fines and government fees.
Your Belarusian bank app
FreeLocal bank app (Belgazprombank, Sberbank Belarus, Belarusbank, MTBank) for account management, card controls, transfers and ERIP payments.
Yandex Maps
FreeBest map coverage for Minsk streets, businesses and transport — more accurate than Google Maps for Belarusian addresses.
2GIS
FreeLocal maps and business directories with offline support — good for navigating Minsk and regional cities.
Yandex Go
FreeDominant ride-hailing app in Minsk and major cities — also offers food delivery (Yandex Eats).
Onliner
FreeMajor Belarusian tech, housing and marketplace ecosystem — useful for price comparison, electronics and apartment listings.
Telegram
FreeHugely popular in Belarus for news channels, community groups, business chats and expat networks — more widely used than WhatsApp locally.
Viber
FreeWidely used by local Belarusians for personal messaging and small-group communication alongside Telegram.
Used by international contacts, expat groups and some businesses operating cross-border.
Keep a Belarus SIM active for bank OTPs and government service callbacks. App stores and payment tools may be restricted or unavailable due to international sanctions. Download essential apps before arrival and have offline alternatives ready.