The European Olympic Committees (EOC) today welcomed the signing of a decree that will allow foreign visitors planning to attend the 2nd European Games in Minsk, Belarus from 21-30 June 2019 to enter and stay in the country without a visa for up to 30 days.

Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko recently signed the decree enabling visa-free entry and temporary stay in Belarus for foreign nationals from 10 June to 10 July 2019.

Requirements for visa-free entry include a passport valid at least 90 days beyond the intended date of departure from the country, an original or electronic ticket for one of the events of the European Games Minsk 2019 (including Opening and Closing ceremonies), a medical-insurance certificate with coverage of at least 10,000 euros valid in Belarus during the entire duration of stay and proof of financial means to adequately cover the daily cost of living.

The new visa-free entry procedure applies to foreign citizens of 74 countries.

The decree also states that participants of the 2nd European Games, official representatives and other specialists involved in the preparation of the event, will be granted visa-free entry for the period of 20 May to 10 July 2019.

Organisers expect that a significant number of overseas sports fans will attend the Games in Minsk via Russia. To this effect, Belarus and Russia signed an intergovernmental agreement on 30 May under which Russia will provide visa-free transit and stay in its territory for foreign fans travelling to Minsk for the 2nd European Games.

Ticket sales for Minsk 2019 will begin on 1 December 2018.

In total, 4,082 athletes from all 50 European National Olympic Committees will compete in 15 sports at the European Games: 3x3 basketball, archery, athletics, badminton, beach soccer, boxing, canoe sprint, cycling, gymnastics, judo, karate, sambo, shooting, table tennis and wrestling. Ten of the 15 sports will act as qualifiers for the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, with the European Games also counting as the official European championships for four sports.

There will be 91 men’s events, 89 women’s events and 21 mixed events in total, with 115 universality spots available.