Firewood online, buses in Minsk, new for cardholders: what will change in Belarus in October

On October 1, a number of changes will come into force in Belarus that will affect the social sphere, the economy and the daily life of citizens. Among the key innovations are new bus routes in Minsk and changes in the payment of hostels, the possibility of ordering firewood online, a ban on fishing in winter pits, updated rules of electronic queue at the border. About the most important of them writes sb.by.

The procedure for processing and receiving electronic documents by tax inspectorates will change

The procedure for processing and receiving tax returns and other documents submitted in the form of an electronic document will change in Belarus from October 1.

The provisions on the acceptance (refusal to accept) of tax declarations, other documents and the procedure for notifying the payer are specified. Thus, an electronic document signed by a person who is not a legal or authorized representative of the payer will be refused. Such a document will not be processed. Article 24 of the Tax Code stipulates that the payer may participate in the relations regulated by the tax legislation through his legal or authorized representative. The credentials of the representative shall be subject to documentary evidence.

Drug prices are changing

Amendments were made to the resolution of the department of March 6, 2012 No. 13.

One of the paragraphs of the Instruction on the procedure for establishing and applying regulated prices for medicines has been adjusted. It is determined that the organizations set selling prices independently, but not above the maximum selling prices established by the Resolution of the Ministry of Health of September 17, 2026 No. 101 "On the establishment of maximum selling prices for medicines produced by organizations of the Republic of Belarus". Recognized invalid by the decree of the Ministry of Health of October 24, 2025 No. 165 and of February 9, 2026 No. 8.

The decree comes into force on October 1, 2026.

New rules for paying hostels

From October 1, some costs for the maintenance of hostels will fall on the shoulders of the residents themselves.

We are talking about such services as cleaning corridors, kitchens and halls; electricity for lighting common areas and equipment, as well as elevators; remuneration of employees of dormitories; landscaping; fire alarm, security and video surveillance. Who will pay for the above services depends on some factors. Among them - the date of settlement in the hostel, the inclusion or non-inclusion of the position of the tenant in a special list, whether the tenant is an employee of the enterprise to which the hostel belongs.

New rules for the use of video recorders by employees of control and audit services

The Ministry of Transport determined the procedure for using technical means for video surveillance and audio recording (video recorders) by employees of control and audit services. The instruction was approved by the decree of the Ministry of Transport and Communications of August 25, 2026 No. 43.

The new requirements come into force on October 5. The document regulates the procedure for shooting employees in the performance of their duties, the protection of personal data of passengers and the rules for storing and accessing such information. It is mandatory to inform passengers about video and audio recording. Also, continuous recording should be ensured when checking travel documents, protection of personal data of passengers. Access to video and audio recordings is allowed only to a limited number of people. In addition, the terms of storage and use of information from video recorders are established.

Belarusbank restricts the operation of its application for holders of some cards

From October 1, 2026, Belarusbank will ban the use of certain categories of its cards. The innovation will affect Belarusians, who in the application M-Belarusbank have access not only to their cards. Previously, this opportunity could be used to help relatives in the account or to maintain a common family budget.

Ordering firewood online

From October 1, Belarusians will be able to order firewood online.

“No need to go to the forestry. Any citizen, being at home, in the workplace, anywhere, can go to the site and make an online application. In order to control the timeliness and fulfillment of applications, journals, including overdue applications, are being formed - this moment will be monitored in more detail using technical capabilities, Minister of Forestry Sergey Uldinovich said.

New Professional Standard for Woodworkers

The new professional standard “Operator on automatic and semi-automatic lines in woodworking” will be effective from October 1, 2026. This is stipulated by the Decree of the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of July 20, 2026 No. 52. Among the main tasks are preparation of equipment for operation, management and maintenance of production lines, regulation of equipment operation, formation and adjustment of control programs. At the same time, paragraphs 22–26 with the previous descriptions of the profession “Operator on automatic and semi-automatic lines in woodworking” were excluded from the Unified tariff and qualification directory of works and professions of workers (issue 38).

Updated rules of registration in electronic queue at the border

From October 1, individual changes to the public offer and the procedure for registration in the SEA begin to operate.

For individuals, a limitation of the term of the contract is established - 30 calendar days from the date of payment. During this period, it is necessary to perform one of the following actions: proceed on the vehicle to the waiting area; pass online registration in the personal account; apply for a refund (before the expiration of the contract).

Two new bus routes in Minsk

Two new city bus routes will be opened in the Belarusian capital in October as part of improving transport links.

In the SE "Minsktrans" said:

- Taking into account the continuing development of the Sukharyovo-8 microdistrict and the increase in passenger traffic, as well as in order to improve transport services for the population, from October 1 on weekdays, the work of the new city bus route No. 296 "DS Malinovka-4 - polyclinic No. 10" is organized. In addition, from October 10, the work of the new city bus route No. 83 “DS Kuntsevshchyna – Semashko” is organized daily.

Block the bridge over Svisloch near Minsk

In the Minsk district from October 1, the bridge over the Svisloch River in the area of the agro-town of New Dvor will be completely blocked for traffic. In this regard, the scheme of passenger transport will change.

- In connection with the closure of the bridge over the Svisloch River in the agro-town of Novy Dvor from October 1 to the end of work, the movement of the bus route No. 176E "DS "Serova" - "DS "Shabany" is organized from the Loshitsa microdistrict along the Moscow Ring Road, Partizansky Avenue, Selitsky Street to the turning ring "ZhBI Plant" in both directions without performing intermediate stops at the variable site, - Minsktrans informed at the same time as from October 1, changes are made to the bus route schedule No. 176E. In particular, morning flights will depart 12 minutes earlier.

The current schedule and changes in traffic can be found on the website of SE “Minsktrans”.

Ban on fishing in winter pits

In order to prevent mass fishing and preserve its population during the wintering period from October 1 to April 15, a ban on amateur and commercial fishing in wintering pits is introduced in Belarus.

The measure is provided for by the rules of amateur fishing and is aimed at preserving fish resources in the most vulnerable period - in winter, the metabolism of most fish species slows down, activity and nutrition decreases, which makes them easy prey.

The list of reservoirs where winter pits are located is posted on the official website of the Ministry of Agriculture.

The season of hunting for hoofed animals begins

The season of corral hunting for ungulates will last in Belarus from October 1 to December 31. It is noted that the objects of hunting are elk, noble deer, spotted deer, deer, deer, mouflon and boar. In accordance with the rules of hunting, corral hunting is allowed only in the daytime. At the same time, the extraction of ungulates of any sex and age is allowed, taking into account the rules of withdrawal established for hunting farms, including by sex, age and quality.