Belarus has been through a difficult period for its IT sector. After 2022, some companies relocated and some specialists left. This is worth stating openly — it’s a real factor to weigh when making a decision. But the picture isn’t one-dimensional, and for specific business situations Belarus remains a strong choice. Here’s what’s actually happening.
In 2025, exports from HTP residents grew by 12% — official figures announced at the Supervisory Board session in February 2026. The IT sector accounts for 6.1% of GDP based on Q1 2025 data. More than 1,000 companies are registered in the HTP, over 40% of which have foreign capital.
For context: at the 2021 peak, IT’s share of GDP was around 5.5–6% and exports reached $3.2 billion. After 2022 those figures declined, but by 2025 the sector is showing recovery — partly through reorientation toward new markets and growth in domestic demand.
Belarus has historically been strong in technical education — a legacy of the Soviet engineering tradition. The Belarusian State University of Informatics and Radioelectronics (BSUIR) produces thousands of IT graduates annually. The average rate for a Belarusian developer is $25–35 per hour — below Poland and the Baltic states, but above Russia.
Some specialists left after 2022 — that’s a fact. But a significant number stayed, and the IT labour market continues to function. Companies that already have a team in Belarus or are considering hiring local developers find qualified specialists at competitive rates.
Minsk is the country’s business centre. Office infrastructure is well developed and high-speed internet access is not an issue. Belarusian banks — Priorbank, Belgazprombank, MTBank, Bank BelVEB — offer multicurrency accounts, English-language internet banking and generally work comfortably with foreign companies.
The HTP legal regime applies across the entire country — a company can be located anywhere in Belarus and still access all resident benefits.
Decree No. 8 “On the Development of the Digital Economy”, signed in 2017 and extended until 2049, created a unique legal environment for IT companies:
— Elements of English law in commercial contracts: options, convertible loans, shareholder agreements — Legalised crypto activity: mining, token exchange, ICO — Simplified foreign trade operations without strict completion deadlines — Visa-free entry for foreign employees and founders of HTP resident companies for up to 180 days — Hiring of foreign specialists without a work permit
This isn’t just tax benefits — it’s a complete legal environment for international IT business that is difficult to find in the region in such a comprehensive form.
It would be dishonest to say Belarus works for everyone. The geopolitical context is a real factor that influences decisions for international companies. Some Western clients and partners avoid working with Belarusian legal entities.
That said, there are clear scenarios where registering in Belarus continues to make concrete sense:
The team is already in Belarus. If developers are in the country, HTP registration gives 0% corporate income tax, reduced personal income tax for employees and simplified hiring of foreign specialists — without needing to relocate anyone.
R&D centre or outsourcing model. Belarus remains attractive for companies looking for qualified developers at competitive rates and prepared to operate within the HTP framework.
Crypto business. Belarus is one of the few jurisdictions where crypto activity is comprehensively legalised and fully tax-exempt. For companies in this segment, this is a meaningful advantage.
Orientation toward CIS and Asian markets. Companies working with Russian, Kazakhstani or Chinese markets face fewer restrictions related to geopolitics.
From our practice: an IT company from Singapore with a development team in Minsk came to us with a core question — whether to keep the Belarusian legal entity or restructure elsewhere. After analysing the client base and cost structure, it became clear: 80% of costs were the Belarusian team’s payroll, and clients were primarily the Asian market. Keeping the HTP registration maintained 0% corporate tax and simplified hiring conditions without any team relocation.
Do Belarusian companies work with European clients? Some Western companies have limited cooperation with Belarusian legal entities — this is a reality. Each situation is individual and depends on the specific client and jurisdiction. This is why it’s important to assess the actual client base before deciding on structure.
How stable is the HTP regime? Decree No. 8 locked in the regime until 2049 at the level of a presidential decree. Throughout the HTP’s existence, core tax benefits have been maintained even through difficult periods.
Can a Belarusian company be managed remotely? Yes. Registration is handled through a representative under a power of attorney, and management works through an electronic digital signature. More details: how to open a company in Belarus as a foreigner.
How do I open an IT company in the HTP? First, register a legal entity, then submit an application with a business plan to the HTP Administration. The full process is covered in our guide to IT company registration in Belarus.
The Belarusian IT industry has gone through serious transformation since 2022. Some companies left, others adapted. In 2025, HTP exports grew by 12% — the sector is recovering, though in different conditions.
Belarus makes sense for companies with a team in the country, for crypto businesses, for R&D centres, and for those oriented toward CIS and Asian markets. For companies whose primary market is Western Europe and the US, the geopolitical factor deserves separate consideration.
If you want to work out whether a Belarusian structure fits your situation — write to us or get in touch directly:
📧 [email protected] 📞 +375 29 142 27 19
We respond within 2 hours on business days.
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