Moving to Spain from Belarus

Since 2020 many Belarusians have lived outside their country, often first in Poland, Lithuania or Georgia and then in Spain. The process resembles the one for Russians: a visa is required, EU sanctions apply and documents are in Russian or Belarusian. There are two particularities: national visas are handled by the Spanish consulate in Moscow, and renewing a passport from abroad has become difficult.

Key facts

• Visa: Belarusian citizens need a visa even for short stays. To live in Spain you need a national visa or a permit applied for from Spain during a legal stay.
• Citizenship: 10 years of legal, continuous residence, the CCSE and DELE A2 exams and a declaration renouncing Belarusian nationality at the oath.
• Driving: there is no exchange agreement. Once resident you can drive on your Belarusian licence for six months; after that you need a Spanish licence, with theory and practical tests.
• EU sanctions: the limit on deposits by Belarusian nationals at EU banks does not apply to holders of a temporary or permanent residence permit in a member state (Regulation (EC) 765/2006 as amended by Regulation (EU) 2022/398).
• Documents: Belarus applies the apostille; all documents need a sworn translation into Spanish.

How people usually move

• Digital nomad. Very common among IT professionals working remotely for companies or clients outside Spain, with a relationship of at least three months. Digital nomad
• Skilled work. Highly qualified professional or EU Blue Card, processed by the Large Companies Unit (UGE). Highly qualified professional
• Studies. Bachelor’s, master’s or vocational training with a study authorisation, which allows work up to 30 hours a week. This time does not count towards citizenship. Study stay
• Non-lucrative residence. For living on savings or passive income without working, with private health insurance without co-payments or waiting periods. Non-lucrative residence
• Family. Marriage or registered partnership with a Spanish or EU citizen. Family member of a Spanish or EU citizen
• International protection. Only for people facing persecution, for example on political grounds; each case is assessed individually. International protection

Documents and apostille

• Criminal record certificate (spravka o nalichii ili otsutstvii sudimosti) from the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD). You apply in person or through the single e-services portal and collect it at a police office (UVD or ROVD). From abroad it can be requested at Belarusian consular sections, which usually takes several weeks.
• Apostille: for originals it is issued by the Main Consular Directorate of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Minsk; for notarised copies, by the Main Directorate of Justice of the Minsk City Executive Committee. Arranging it from abroad can take months.
• Birth and marriage certificates from the civil registry (ZAGS). Certificates from the Byelorussian SSR era cannot be apostilled: request a current duplicate or apostille a notarised copy.
• Sworn translation into Spanish of all documents, including the apostille.
• Passport with enough validity: under Decree 278 of 2023, Belarusian missions abroad no longer issue or renew passports.

What to keep in mind

• National visas for residents of Belarus are handled by the Consulate General of Spain in Moscow, whose district includes Belarus. Minsk has an honorary consulate and a visa application centre for short stays.
• If you already live legally in another country (Poland, Lithuania, Georgia or elsewhere), you normally apply at the Spanish consulate there. Check its requirements.
• Get your certificates and apostilles before leaving Belarus: from abroad the timelines become much longer.
• Once in Spain: register on the padrón and apply for your TIE within the first month.

Frequently asked questions

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