On 23 April 2026, the Law dated 17 October 2025 “On Amendments to Laws Concerning the Provision of Loans” entered into force, significantly revising the rules governing loan relationships in Belarus:
- Companies (except for microfinance organizations) may no longer provide loans to individuals, except to their own employees and individual entrepreneurs.
- Loan agreements between individuals may no longer be concluded in foreign currency or indexed (“linked”) to a foreign currency. Exceptions apply to loan agreements between close relatives for personal needs and to loan agreements between individual entrepreneurs.
- The sole residential premises – including a residential house, apartment, or a share in common ownership thereof – may not serve as collateral or be subject to surety arrangements securing obligations under loan agreements between individuals (except for individual entrepreneurs).
- Interest under loans with a term of up to one year is capped at 50% of the principal loan amount. For loans exceeding one year, the total amount of interest may not exceed the principal amount of the loan. The aggregate amount of penalties (fines, late payment charges) and interest for unlawful use of another person’s funds may not exceed 50% of the loan amount provided to the borrower.
- It is prohibited to include in loan agreements with individuals (except for individual entrepreneurs) provisions: on charging the borrower increased interest for the use of the loan in the event of non-performance or improper performance of obligations under the loan agreement (where interest is charged) or any additional payments (commissions or otherwise) for the use of the loan; on the lender’s unilateral increase of the amount of interest payable by the borrower (where interest is charged) or the amount of penalties (fines, late payment charges) under the loan agreement; on the lender’s unilateral amendment of the term of the loan agreement; on imposing penalties (fines, late payment charges) on the borrower for early repayment of the loan (or part thereof).
- Legal entities (except for microfinance organizations) and individual entrepreneurs are prohibited from extending (increasing) the term of loan agreements concluded with individuals before 23 April 2026.
If the term of a loan agreement concluded between individuals (except for individual entrepreneurs) is extended, the provisions of such agreement must be brought into compliance with the updated legislation.