Where to exchange money for Belarusian rubles. What currency should I use to travel to Belarus from Russia? When to exchange old Belarusian rubles for new ones

Decree of the President of the Republic of Belarus dated November 4, 2015 No. 450 announced the 3rd denomination of the national currency since the collapse of the Soviet Union. The 2000 money exchange, which began on July 1, 2016, was a consequence of prolonged hyperinflation in the Republic. The exchange of old money for new ones in Belarus is carried out for:

• facilitating the payment system;
• reducing costs for issuing banknotes;
• identifying hidden income of the population;
• strengthening the Belarusian ruble against the euro and dollar.

For the population, the key questions were where, how and until when it was possible to exchange old money for new ones.

Is it possible to exchange old money for new ones in Belarus?

Denomination in its simplest sense removes extra zeros from banknotes. Banknotes of the 2000 model are useless on their own. Until December 31, 2016, the country, in fact, had a double price tag for goods, i.e. it was possible to pay with both old and new money.

In all stores in Belarus one could see the conversion table:

Starting from January 1, 2017, only Belarusian banknotes issued in 2009 have value. The exchange of old money for new ones in Belarus is not only possible, but has become a necessary reality. There is no point in keeping waste paper that is worth nothing.

The exchange amount must be a multiple of 100. If the amount is less than the established limit, the National Bank simply has nothing to give you.

In Russia and Kazakhstan, from January 1, 2017, the exchange of Belarusian currency of the 2000 model for domestic currency is impossible due to their withdrawal. The only option is to exchange them for 2009 banknotes. Then, if desired, you can buy any currency with them.

Only public banknotes can be exchanged. The denomination did not affect investment and commemorative coins issued by the National Bank of the Republic of Belarus in recent years before the denomination. They are valid for any payments. The value of each banknote is equal to their face value.

The 2016 denomination was planned already in 2008. New banknotes were developed in 2007, but the 2008 crisis that hit the world economy did not allow Belarus to carry out monetary reform in fixed time. Old-style money is exchanged in Belarus at the rate of 10,000:1. This rate is set at the same rate for the entire exchange period.

Both cash and cards can be exchanged. When withdrawing money from a card, the exchange occurs automatically at the accepted rate. Deposit owners will not have to write a new application for recalculation of funds. Some banks were able to switch overnight and their customers were able to withdraw savings from ATMs in the new currency starting July 1, 2016.

Instead of thousandth banknotes, the following are introduced into circulation:

How does denomination happen?

Denomination is the enlargement of a country’s monetary unit. As of June 1, 2016, over 97% of the amount and 60% of all banknotes in circulation among the population in the form of cash were seized.

Currency reform is a measure that the Republic’s economy needed 8-9 years ago. Hyperinflation made every first inhabitant of the country a millionaire. At the same time, banknotes of truly high value were extremely rare. Belarusians had to carry a real money bag with them, and the coins went out of circulation completely. Because of this, the Belarusian banknote has become known as one of the strangest currencies in Europe.

Consolidation is a purely technical event. It does not affect the level of inflation, salaries, the amount of debt obligations, the exchanger works automatically. The same cannot be said about special management and accounting programs, such as 1C. With the introduction of kopecks, it became necessary to move to new configurations; it will be necessary not only to modify the form, but also to update the metadata. You can do this yourself following the instructions if you use a simple accounting system. In other cases, the help of specialists is necessary.

Denomination in the Republic of Belarus began not only 8 years later than expected, but also under very strange circumstances. The National Bank has officially admitted that the first batch of new money has a spelling error (“pyatsdzesyat” instead of “pyatsdzyasyat”) and is a facsimile of the former head of the central bank of Belarus. The fact is that the banknotes were printed back in 2008, since then the country has undergone a change in the leadership of the National Bank and language reform. And since they printed a decent amount of banknotes, they did not redo anything.

The design of the new banknotes, although imbued with pride national places, it was developed by EU artists. Many note the fact that the new Belarusian ruble is similar to the euro. It is noteworthy that money was also printed abroad, in particular in Great Britain.

Where can you exchange old-style money for new ones, and until what time can the exchange be carried out?

Most of the old banknotes were changed in 2017. But still every day up to 7 requests are received to exchange old Belarusian money for new ones. The Republic of Belarus has approved the following dates and places where it is still possible to change old money. signs:

• 01.2018–31.12.2019, inclusive: exchange only in the territory of the Republic of Belarus. You will receive banknotes of the 2009 sample from the National Bank, banking and parabank credit organizations.
• 01.2020–31.12.2021, inclusive: only at the National Bank of the Republic.

On January 1, 2022, the 2000 banknotes were officially declared invalid. The population of Belarus, as well as citizens of other countries who still have that kind of money, have 5 years.

Most of those who have not exchanged their old money at the moment are either holders of 50 ruble banknotes. (according to the devaluation rate, there is simply nothing to exchange such money for in a single quantity) or with a face value of 100,000 rubles. and more. There is a possibility that after some time, high denomination banknotes will be of interest to collectors. Already now there are advertisements online about selling them for n-amount in dollars. Enterprising “millionaires” should keep in mind that numismatists will be interested in specimens preserved in in good shape, as well as a rare series.

Rare and expensive modern Belarusian banknotes

It may not always be profitable to exchange old Belarusian money for new ones. For those who do not understand bonistics, below is a list of banknotes for which collectors are already ready to pay you a tidy sum of money.

Banknotes of rare series:

• 50 rub. 2000 Lo series;
• 100 rub. 2000 TV series;
• 100 rub. 2000 TB series;
• 500 rub. 2000 series Pl;
• 1,000 rub. 2000 series VZ;
• 1,000 rub. 2000 series NG.

Defective banknotes are also of interest. For example, a paper jam occurs when printing. It is very difficult to find them, but if you do, you will get 10 times their real value.

The 2016 redenomination is a breath of fresh air in the Belarusian economy. It is difficult to say whether the decision to push back the deadline by as much as 8 years was correct. Reforms are always difficult, since any violation of the usual way of life, especially concerning the financial well-being of the population, is a period of denial and rampant fraudulent schemes. But in conditions of hyperinflation, this is the only tool that can protect the country from default.

Close economic ties, as well as territorial proximity Russian Federation with the Republic of Belarus provokes frequent trips of citizens of one country to another. Naturally, it is not always possible to buy the currency of a third-party state in advance. Or after visiting it, foreign monetary units remain. In any of these cases the question of exchange arises. In particular, where can I convert Belorussian rubles to Russian ones. Considering that our portal specializes in the Russian banking system, we decided to identify which domestic credit institutions carry out this operation. The issue with Belarusian rubles of 2000 and banknotes of an earlier sample from 1992-1999 was also considered, since some of these banknotes, subject to certain conditions, can be exchanged for Russian rubles.

Where to convert cash Belarusian rubles to Russian rubles

We analyzed information on the official websites of the largest domestic banks about the service of exchanging cash foreign currency into national currency. Small credit institutions were not included in the assessment, since their resources often do not contain details of all the possibilities of the operation in question. As it turned out, only one bank provides the opportunity to exchange Belarusian rubles into Russian ones. It is Sberbank. Moreover, only 15 of its branches throughout the country are vested with the corresponding right.

It is worth noting that it is not necessarily only Sberbank that provides the service of exchanging the national currency of the Republic of Belarus into domestic monetary units. This may also be available in small regional credit institutions. Either in exchange offices, for example, airports, border areas, railway stations, etc. Unfortunately, it is not possible to analyze these options remotely, since information about their activities is either incomplete or completely absent on the Internet. Therefore, monitoring of such methods of the conversion in question must be carried out in the form of personal visits.

Separately, two nuances can be noted regarding Sberbank conversion centers. Firstly, they have the opportunity to exchange not only Belarusian rubles for Russian ones, but also 14 other types of foreign currencies. Secondly, it clearly traces the option of determining the offices in which the service in question will be available. They were selected not on a territorial basis, for example, to cover the majority of regions or to make offices as accessible as possible for nearby ones, but according to the population size in the cities of presence. 15 conversion centers are located in 15 Russian cities with the largest population.

Where to change Belarusian money of 2000 and earlier, and how much they cost

The above exchange offices accept Belarusian rubles exclusively from the 2009 model. Other monetary units that were previously in circulation in the Republic of Belarus cannot be directly converted into another currency, for example, the Russian ruble. At the same time, it is worth considering that in Belarus the denomination was carried out twice. Accordingly, there may be two versions of banknotes on hand - 2000 and 1992-1999. The possibility of their use differs. Therefore, both options should be considered separately.

How to change Belarusian money from 2000 to rubles

As stated above, it is impossible to directly exchange Belarusian rubles of 2000 into Russian ones. Although, there is still a solution to the issue. These samples are being replaced with new ones - 2009. This can be done exclusively on the territory of the Republic of Belarus. That is, it is impossible to make a replacement in Russia or any other country. The operation time is limited. Depending on the possible point, they can be divided into two periods.

1. Until January 1, 2020, Belarusian money from 2000 can be exchanged for new money from 2009 at any credit institution in Belarus. That is, in any bank. Whether it is commercial or state-owned does not matter.
2. Until January 1, 2022 - exclusively at the National Bank of the Republic of Belarus (NB RF).

After replacing old samples with new ones, it becomes possible to convert Belarusian rubles into Russian ones. Here it is worth considering an additional nuance - the denomination rate. That is, a decrease in the denomination of banknotes. The ratio is 10,000 to 1. Accordingly, instead of Belarusian rubles of 2000, 10,000 times less rubles of the new 2009 model will be provided.

For example, if you have 5,000 rubles from 2000, then after replacing them the holder will receive 50 kopecks of the Belarusian currency of 2009. It is these 50 kopecks that in the future will be possible to exchange for Russian rubles at the above conversion centers.

After the deadline (from January 1, 2022), the national currency of the Republic of Belarus of the 2000 model is canceled. That is, it completely loses its value. It will be impossible to exchange it for newer samples and especially for other currencies. The only option to get at least some money for it is to sell it to collectors.

Is it possible to replace banknotes from 1992-1999?

Regarding Belarusian rubles 1992-1999. These monetary units were withdrawn from circulation on January 1, 2000. The allotted period for replacing them with newer models was 4 years. That is, they could be replaced with 2000 rubles before January 1, 2004. With a denomination rate of 1000 to 1. Thus, at the moment it is impossible to use banknotes from 1992-1999. Not by any means. Naturally, if we do not consider selling them to collectors.

Alternative options for converting Belarusian rubles into Russian rubles

These methods do not involve direct cash exchange monetary units of the Republic of Belarus into the national currency of the Russian Federation. There are two options in total.

1. Transfer from card to card.
2. Electronic means.

The first involves sending money from a plastic payment instrument with an account in Belarusian rubles to a card with an account in Russian rubles. When performing an operation, a forced conversion is performed. Accordingly, a person ultimately receives the national currency of the Russian Federation. You can complete the transaction through most online banking services, specialized services on the websites of credit institutions and third-party resources.

It is important to consider the nuances of this operation:

• Transfers can be made using the card number. The main thing is that the recipient and sender have plastic from international payment systems. For example, MasterCard or Visa.
• Before performing the operation, you should contact the issuing bank, whose call center number is always indicated on the plastic itself, to clarify the exchange rate. Sometimes it can be quite unprofitable.
• The transfer period may be quite long. The delay in some cases reaches 5 working days. These include: Monday-Friday. Naturally, dates that are defined as public holidays are also subtracted from them.

Electronic money involves the use of the WebMoney service, which allows you to open accounts in different currencies, exchange them online, and also transfer money to other users of the system anywhere in the world. Important nuance is that to carry out the conversion you first need to top up your online wallet, and then withdraw funds after the exchange. In fact, this can only be done if one person is registered in Belarus and the second in Russia. You can top up or withdraw money in WebMoney only in the national currency of the service user’s place of residence.

In this section, we invite you to get acquainted with one of the most important topics for tourists - the monetary system of Belarus and a very pleasant form of recreation - shopping.

So, first of all, money. As you know, there are never too many of them, but here you can feel like a millionaire, both literally and figuratively.

The currency of Belarus is the Belarusian ruble. All payments can be made only with these banknotes. Although it should be noted that psychologically Belarusians are still more attached to the dollar than to the Russian ruble or euro. The exchange rate of the Belarusian ruble against the Russian ruble varies from 84 to 90 Belarusian rubles for one Russian ruble.

Exchanging Russian rubles, dollars or euros for Belarusian rubles will not be a problem. In every city, town or large village there is a branch of Belarusbank or a commercial bank. There are also separate exchange offices, including in large supermarkets or shopping centers (analogous to the Russian Auchan or Mega). If you have a plastic “Visa” card (even the simplest “electron”), you can immediately withdraw Belarusian rubles from any ATM (preferably “Belorusbank”, where the percentage is the lowest). Of course, banks have limited opening hours, but for example, at the railway station in Minsk, exchange offices operate around the clock and the exchange rate is quite good. Significantly better than at the Belorussky railway station in Moscow. Reverse money exchange does not cause any problems.

• To avoid getting confused, keep bills up to 1,000 Belarusian rubles in one compartment of your wallet, and 5,000 and more in another. The first is for small items, the second is for shopping.
• in order not to carry a calculator with you, divide Belarusian prices by 100 or remember the above equivalent for banknotes: 100, 1000, 10000 - this will be enough to “float freely” in Belarusian prices.

We would like to especially draw the attention of our respected motorists: at many Belarusian gas stations it is possible to refuel for Russian rubles - it’s profitable! Since the recalculation is carried out at the rate of the Central Bank of Belarus. You can also refuel for US dollars or Euros. The cost of gasoline is fixed everywhere and is approximately 31 Russian rubles per liter of AI-95.

Please note that outside of major settlements There are few gas stations - so fill up more often!

The Belarusians themselves say that their AI-95 is unimportant and the AI-92 is on par with the Russian 95. We can say that if you run out of gasoline and only AI-92 is at the gas station, feel free to fill it up to get to the next one. The car drives better - tested! Although we would not recommend driving it constantly, since no separate studies have been conducted on this topic.

Now the most pleasant and exciting thing, especially for women, because with relaxation in the form of shopping, there is hardly anything else that can be compared - SHOPPING!!! We suggest, first of all, to separate two topics so as not to get confused - the GOODS themselves and the OBJECTS for their sale.

In general, we can say that you will not regret the time spent, and will gain a lot of positive emotions, products and things that will delight you with taste, quality, and price.

As for foreign goods, you can find good European and high-quality cheap Chinese things. We do not consider food products, since you can try “high-quality European and American food chemistry” in Russia.

Now let's talk about WHERE to buy all this:

1. First of all, shops major cities Minsk, Vitebsk, Gomel, Mogilev, Godno, Brest - as a rule, these cities have large shopping centers similar to our Auchan stores, where you can purchase both food and light industrial goods. For example, the largest shopping center in Minsk is Expobel. In addition to a sales area with products and pavilions with manufactured goods, there is a gallery of boutiques, beauty salons, various cafes and restaurants. This complex is similar to the Moscow Mega. Smaller shopping centers, as a rule, are specialized in products, for example, in every district of Minsk or in the central district of Brest there are supermarkets similar to the Moscow “Perekrestki” in size and assortment (but not in price, of course). Each microdistrict has small grocery or hardware stores, as well as small shopping pavilions. If we compare the Western and Eastern regions, then in the West there is a little more of everything, a larger assortment. Also, as a rule, major cities, there are trading houses or representative offices of famous Belarusian and Russian brands. There is also an analogue of our Cherkizovsky market (in Minsk, for example, this is the market in Zhdanovichi). We doubt that you will need bulk purchases of food or cheap Chinese knitwear. Although, for a change, you can visit these sale objects.
2. IN small towns stores, as a rule, are specialized and there are quite a lot of them, although they are not large. Distributed evenly throughout the city.
3. In any case, you will find a couple of shops in towns and villages. Although the assortment will not be rich, since a rural resident of a Belarusian village lives mostly from the land or from the market.

Opening hours are usually from 9 am to 8-10 pm depending on the location and size of the store.

Payment for goods is made in cash in Belarusian rubles.

Please note that the sale of low-alcohol drinks starts from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Strong drinks from 12 noon to 9 pm.

Restaurants, cafes

There will be no problems with finding these recreational facilities, especially in Minsk, where the main Russian brands (Elpatio, etc.), local Belarusian cuisine are presented, from the simplest small cozy establishments, to stylish and glamorous ones designed in the style of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, and so on. European restaurants from a Czech brasserie to an elite French restaurant - with their own wine cellar and personal sommelier.

In smaller cities there will be no difficulties either.

The cost of a dinner bill with alcohol for one person ranges from 200 to 1500 Russian rubles.

Opening hours from 12 noon to 1 am.

Taxi

As a rule, the price of a trip is fixed on average about 1000 Belarusian rubles per landing and 1000 Belarusian rubles per 1 kilometer. The average trip around Minsk is about 5000-7000 Belarusian rubles (60 - 90 Russian rubles).

But if you take a taxi from railway station, it doesn’t matter in Minsk, Vitebsk or Zhabinka, be prepared that your prices will increase by 3-4 times. Exit either bargain (which doesn’t help much) or walk 300 meters away and catch a “normal taxi”.

We wish you pleasant shopping and good impressions!

1. Christina June 6, 2019 at 10:03 pm

   Is it possible to exchange 1000 Belarusian rubles for rubles?

2. Alexey June 5, 2019 at 18:06

   Hello, can I exchange 1000 rubles in Belarusian 2000 at Sberbank?!

3. Svetlana June 4, 2019 at 10:08 am

   Hello, is it possible to exchange 2000 Belarusian rubles using any banking transaction?

4. Stanislav May 29, 2019 at 10:23 pm

   Is it possible to exchange Belarusian rubles from 2001 into Russian rubles? What course?

5. Vitaly May 23, 2019 at 08:24

   where can I exchange 2000 Belarusian rubles for Russian ones?

6. Aoeksey May 20, 2019 at 04:43 pm

   Mogulia exchange 20,000 thousand 2000
   Belarusian money in Russia

7. Irina May 19, 2019 at 11:57 am

   Is it possible to exchange a 20 Belarusian ruble bill at a savings bank?

8. Natalya May 11, 2019 at 12:13 pm

   Good afternoon I still have Belarusian banknotes from 2000, two for 1000 and one for 500 rubles. How can I exchange them in Moscow and how much is our ruble worth now?

9. Zarema May 3, 2019 at 12:26 pm

   Hello, please tell me where and at what rate can I get 1000 Belarusian rubles? In Simferopol

10. Anna April 21, 2019 at 07:23 pm

    Can I exchange Belarusian rubles (2001)?

11. Svetlana April 1, 2019 at 06:54 pm

    Hello, is it possible to buy Belarusian currency at Sberbank in Moscow, and if so, where? Thank you.

12. Sarvinoz March 27, 2019 at 02:38 pm

    Hello, can I accept Belarusian money?

13. Vladimir March 24, 2019 at 15:37

    Can I exchange two hundred thousand ruble (200,000) Belarusian 2000 banknotes for Russian ones, and how much will it cost?

14. Marina March 12, 2019 at 15:12

    Hello.
    Is it possible to exchange 1000 Belarusian rubles from 2000 at your bank?

15. Marina February 28, 2019 at 09:22 pm

    Good evening.
    Is it possible to exchange 1000 Belarusian rubles from 2000 at your bank?

16. Ekaterina February 16, 2019 at 05:26 pm

    Hello, please tell me if it is possible to exchange 1000 Belarusian rubles for rubles in 2019, if so, how much will they give me in rubles?

17. Vera February 11, 2019 at 05:54 pm

    Good afternoon. Is it possible to exchange 20 Belarusian ruble banknotes from 2000 into Russian rubles?

18. Zainal February 2, 2019 at 09:37

    Hello, can I exchange Belarusian 1000 rubles from 2000 into Russian rubles?

19. Natalya January 30, 2019 at 12:38 pm

    Good afternoon We are going to Belarus. Tell me, please, is it possible to order Belarusian currency for exchange at Sberbank in order to buy it here? Thank you!

20. Sergey January 29, 2019 at 10:57 am

    Is it possible to change Belarusian money from 2000 in Smolensk or on the territory of the Russian Federation?

21. Alexey January 26, 2019 at 11:19

    Hello, where can I change Belarusian 600 rubles from 2000 in Vladivostok and convert them into Russian rubles?

22. Karina January 23, 2019 at 11:49 am

    Hello. Can I exchange 3750 Belarusian rubles (all banknotes from 2000) and how much is it in rubles?

23. Tigran January 13, 2019 at 01:08

    Hello, can I exchange a Belarusian banknote 5000 where 2013 for a Russian ruble in Russia?

24. Dmitry January 7, 2019 at 16:09

    Hello, can I exchange 50 Belarusian rubles from 2000?

25. Elena December 28, 2018 at 04:55 pm

    Good afternoon

    Is it possible to exchange Russian rubles for Belarusian rubles at a Sberbank branch in Moscow and the region?

26. Evgeniy November 11, 2018 at 10:52 am

    Hello, can I put Belarusian rubles on my Sberbank card?

27. Alexander November 1, 2018 at 09:08 pm

    Is it possible to exchange 100,000 Belarusian rubles from 2000 into Russian ones?

28. Nikolay November 1, 2018 at 04:36 pm

    Is it possible to exchange new Belarusian banknotes with you?

29. Vadim October 30, 2018 at 6:42 pm

    I have 500 and 100 Belarusian ruble bills, can I exchange them, and what should I do with them?

30. Sergey October 23, 2018 at 08:19

    Can I exchange a 100 Belarusian ruble bill (2000) at Sberbank?

31. Helpdesk (Ekaterina) September 27, 2018 at 03:34 pm

    Andrey, Sberbank does not work with this currency, it will not be possible to exchange it.

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The first thing I did was contact the Russian Central Bank, they certainly know where I can convert Belarusian rubles.

– Contact the National Bank of Belarus. They set the rules and times for exchanging old money for new ones. They determine the banks that will work within the framework of the reform.

There is nothing to do, we dial the desired phone number, mentally subtracting expenses for international negotiations from the stash.

– Today the denomination was just announced. Ministries and departments are developing necessary documents. Most likely, places for exchanging money in other countries will be listed there. Until July 1, 2016, new money is not accepted by either financial institutions or stores, no one can change it, they are just candy wrappers,” the SV correspondent was told in the information and public relations department of the National Bank of the country.

SOMEWHERE, AT THE STATION...

Through friends I managed to find out that the only place where you can exchange this currency is Belorussky railway station. Well, I'm running there.

Tverskaya Zastava Square greets you with several signboards with euro and dollar exchange rates. Let's see if the “Belarusian brother” will be happy here. At the first exchanger, the first thing the lady does is take a look at my wallet, bloated with Belarusian banknotes. He nods hospitably, apparently recognizing me as a respectable client.

- Hello! Can Belarusian rubles be exchanged? “Judging by the expression on her face, the degree of cordiality immediately dropped, like the exchange rate of the ruble against the euro.

- No, we don’t. No idea where to do this.

I'm trying my luck at the next point. Same story: “No, I don’t know where.”

– Listen, only from Minsk. I'm getting a job. I can't even buy a metro ticket! – I’m trying to reassure the indifferent employee. Uselessly.

Confused, I go outside. Seeing a pile of money in my hands, a taxi driver flies up: “Where are we going? Inexpensive. Center, hotels? But, recognizing Belarusian rubles, he dissolves: “We only accept Russian rubles!”

Here you go" entertainment» for guests from Belarus. A kind of advanced-level “quest” game - a puzzle with secret passwords: “Find where to exchange bunnies.”

I go to the guards on duty at the station. They laugh:

– Do you need “Currency Fraud”? Go to the first entrance.

“Give me your Belarusian rubles,” I finally hear the longed-for words from the “exchanger.”

The prices are as follows. You can sell 250 Belarusian rubles for one ruble (270 is the official exchange rate of the Central Bank). But you can buy your neighbors’ currency at a price of 400 per ruble, which is almost one and a half times higher than the Central Bank rate. Agree, this is far from a winning option. Indeed, it turns out to be “currency fraud.”

I clutch my Belarusian money and don’t dare part with it. In the light of the upcoming denomination, they are a rarity in the long term. In twenty years, maybe I’ll exchange my collection for something significant.

MEANWHILE IN MINSK

The rules at exchange offices for Russians are the same as for Belarusians. When selling currency, no documents are required from a person. When purchasing, you need a passport.

In Belarusian border exchange offices the rate is slightly lower than the national average, but not by much. In Belarusian banks, the terms of purchase and sale differ slightly from each other; the difference is obvious only when exchanging large amounts.

How will they exchange?

It will be possible to exchange old banknotes for new ones from January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2019 inclusive at the National Bank, banks and non-banking financial institutions of the country.

From January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2021 inclusive, old money can be exchanged for new money only at the National Bank.

The country's largest bank, Belarusbank, has already announced that it does not yet plan to purchase ATMs with a coin dispensing module. And he is not going to change the existing ones either. From which it follows that, most likely, at first, ATMs will not issue coins. Apparently, banking structures will simply spend money on new software for existing ATMs so that they “learn” to recognize new banknotes.

At the same time, ATMs will not work with old and new money at the same time. From July 1, 2016, all of them will be loaded only with new banknotes.

Protection – at the level

The chief specialist of the main department of cash circulation of the National Bank, Marina Demina, is one hundred percent sure of the new cash:

– Banknotes are printed on special paper, special inks and graphic elements are used. Some signs of protection of new money can be seen with the naked eye.

You just need to know where to look. When held up to light, the banknotes should show watermarks that correspond to the picture depicted on the banknote, and a solid dark stripe - a special metallized thread.

In addition, if you look at the light through the banknote, then on the blank field of the banknote you will find a matching image: some fragments on the front side, some on the back. They must precisely converge into a single image - corresponding to the face value. In fakes, according to the expert, the front and back sides do not match. There is also protection that cannot be seen with the naked eye.

The coins are also protected. The alloy of metals from which they are made is classified, and small details of coins are difficult to counterfeit in artisanal conditions. It is known that steel was used for the base, and copper and nickel were used for spraying.

For those traveling to Belarus: old money will be exchanged for new money starting July 1, 2016.

Unwanted ruble*?

Why don’t people in Russia exchange Russian money for Belarusian money – and vice versa?

Anyone who thinks otherwise, we advise you to take my word for it: in Russia you won’t change national currencies Each other. And if you find a place where such an operation will be processed for you, as our correspondent was able to do, then before this happy moment you will have time to run around looking for an exchanger.

One can understand the complexity of the problem of creating a single union currency, the formation of a common emission center, because of which, in fact, the financial reform of the Union State is being stalled, as legislators of the two countries admit. However, it is difficult to understand what prevents Belarusian rubles from being included in the list of currencies subject to exchange, the currency, I emphasize, of one of the countries of the Union State. Even the yuan has recently squeezed itself into the company of the world's reserve currencies, and now it will be more actively offered as an exchange.

Maybe there is little demand? So there is no need to deal with this matter everywhere, in every exchange office. It is enough to select, for example, several points in Moscow where, according to forecasts, they may often ask about exchange: the same Belorussky railway station, the embassy, ​​business and cultural centers, some banks, shopping malls.

Now, only at the station near Tverskaya Zastava Square, and only in one nook, which is very difficult to find, can an exchange be made. Accordingly, the rate at the exchange monopolist is ruinous, but you will have to change it anyway - where to go. Good still in Belarusian trains They accept Russian rubles as payment, but they also take advantage of the situation, raising the exchange rate to sky-high heights. What should those who arrived in Minsk early in the morning do, when none of the banks in the city are yet open and only a few exchangers operate at the station?

If Russians can change money in virtually any Belarusian bank, then why are Belarusians who come to Russia denied this right? It turns out that in the Union State they are put in the position of Russians abroad, where they don’t take rubles anywhere and they have to make a double exchange, losing on commissions.

There are no serious technical reasons, according to financial experts, for such an exchange of money. If there are not enough of them, you can bring them to the right amount in accordance with established demand by mutual agreement. A lot of other exchange problems could be solved.

There would be a desire...