Poland - Belarus border crossing Domachevo - Slovatichi

For many citizens of the former CIS countries, traveling around Europe begins with Poland. Belarusian and Russian tourists can enter this country, for example, through the Domachevo checkpoint.

A couple of years ago, this checkpoint was closed for some time due to the need to repair the bridge over the Western Bug River, which separates Belarus and Poland in this place. Then many motorists were interested in when the Domachevo border crossing would open. After all, the load on other checkpoints on the Polish-Belarusian border at that time increased greatly. And consequently, the queues grew. But in October 2021, this checkpoint, fortunately, started working again.

What checkpoints are there on the Polish-Belarusian border?

In total, there are 7 checkpoints in Belarus on the border with Poland. They work in different modes. Belarusian and Russian tourists can cross the border by car only through one of the following 5 checkpoints:

• "Warsaw Bridge".
• "Singelite."
• "Brestovitsa".
• "Domachevo".
• "Bruzgi".

The Kozlovichi checkpoint allows only freight transport to enter Poland. Only pedestrians and cyclists cross the border at Pererovo.

Border crossings

The list of checkpoints across the State Border of the Republic of Belarus was approved by Decree of the President of the Republic of Belarus dated May 10, 2006 No. 313[2]

Development prospects

It is planned to create a new road checkpoint “Sofievo - Lipshchany”.

Where is the Domachevo point located?

This checkpoint is located 45 km south of the city of Brest. The exact coordinates of the Domachevo border crossing are as follows: 51°44'38″N 23°36'20″E. The checkpoint on the Polish side at this point is the Slovatichi.

Most often, motorists cross the border through the nearby Warsaw Bridge checkpoint. “Domachevo” is considered mostly an alternative crossing. The fact is that there are often very long queues at the Warsaw Bridge checkpoint. In this case, some travelers go further - along the Polish border through Priluki and Znamenka to Domachevo.

To get to this checkpoint, you just need to turn left a little before reaching the Warsaw Bridge and drive straight for about 40 km. The queues at the Domachevo border crossing are usually not too long.

What is a settlement

Domachevo itself is an urban-type settlement. This settlement was first mentioned in documents of the 18th century. The village became part of the Russian Empire after the division of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth in 1795. Even then, there was also a border post here.

In 1921, under the Treaty of Riga, Domachevo became part of the interwar Polish Republic. After the outbreak of World War II, in 1939, this settlement became part of Belarus. On January 15, 1940, Domachevo was given the status of an urban village.

During the Second World War, the Nazis set up a village on the territory of this settlement. a ghetto in which about 2-3 thousand Jews were subsequently killed. At the moment, the Polish border runs approximately 400 m from this village.

Story

The Curzon Line and the post-war change of Polish borders

After September 1939, the territories of Western Belarus were included in the BSSR. Of these, five new regions were created: Baranovichi, Bialystok, Brest, Vileika and Pinsk.

A Belarusian-German border was formed, which passed near the town of Ostrolenka.

In accordance with the state border agreement signed on August 16, 1945 between the USSR and Poland, 17 districts of the Bialystok region of the BSSR were transferred to Poland, along with 3 districts of the Brest region, where a significant number of Poles lived.

In 1946, during the clarification of the state border of the USSR and the People's Republic of Poland, the villages of Klimovka, Minkovtsy, Nomiki, Taki, Tolchi, Shimaki were transferred from the Grodno region in favor of the People's Republic, and the villages of Todorkavtsy and Khvorostyany from the Sapotskinsky region. After this and to this day, the border between Poland and Belarus has not changed.

Features of the gearbox

Some time ago, as already mentioned, this checkpoint did not work. The Domachevo border crossing was closed in 2021, however, it was not closed for too long - only a few months. It is currently functioning smoothly.

Thus, mainly those travelers who do not want to stand in line for a long time choose Domachevo for crossing the border. In most cases, people arriving at this checkpoint end up in Poland within 1-2 hours.

Experienced travelers recommend this checkpoint to those tourists who want to get to the Czech Republic, Hungary or Slovakia through Poland. Also, the Domachevo border crossing is usually used by Belarusian and Russian motorists heading to Kielce, Krakow or Lublin.

It is most often tourists who choose this checkpoint to cross the Polish border. "Warsaw Bridge" is preferred mainly by border traders. Tourists can easily make up for the time spent on the road from Brest to the village by quickly passing through control. Moreover, the asphalt on the roads connecting these two settlements, judging by the reviews, is quite good. And there are a lot of gas stations on local highways. Motorists have the opportunity to fill the tank with gasoline every 40 km.

The Domachevo checkpoint mainly allows only passenger cars to cross the border. This control point is international. Its throughput capacity is 2000 cars per day. On average, about 800 passenger cars pass through this point per day.

The Domachevo border crossing has received good reviews from motorists. Tourists passing through control here usually do not have any particular problems with travel to Poland if they have all the necessary documents. The checkpoint allows passenger vehicles to enter Poland around the clock, without breaks for lunch or weekends.

The route from Moscow to Belarus - the border of Russia and Belarus

We will describe the route from Moscow to Brest

and share short videos that will help you navigate the area. The distance from Moscow to Brest is 1,080 km, where driving is intense.

We are now talking about the likelihood of fines being assessed in Russia. Sometimes it seems to me that everything here is not specially made for people: the route passes through populated areas, some stupid signs and traffic lights, scary pedestrian crossings and other delights in the form of endless radars. In other words, you will definitely receive fines in Russia; it’s sad, but it’s a fact! Then it will be easier: in Belarus the track is amazing - it’s easy to drive. Speed ​​limit is 130 km/h.

Our experience shows that it is better to cross the border between Belarus and Poland early in the morning: at 4–6 am

. Travel time to Brest is about 12–14 hours. It is better to leave Moscow at lunchtime: this will help you get through Moscow quickly (if you are moving from the Moscow region). The estimated time of arrival in Brest will be around 4 am.

Yes, the Russia-Belarus border is crossed without passport controls

and seals. You may be stopped to check your documents or if you break the speed limit.

The border between these countries is easy to cross, and if you have experience traveling in Europe, you understand that some countries are separated only by signs. So it is here: Russia ends and Belarus begins - it’s simple! The Russia-Belarus border should not bother you at all.

Control procedure

Tourists who decide to enter Poland through the border crossing in Domachevo first pass a gas station and one settling tank with a barrier. Then, near the second barrier, travelers pay an environmental fee of approximately 3,500 Belarusian rubles. At the same time, they are given a paper confirming this fact.

Next, motorists drive into the second septic tank, where their documents are checked at the barrier. Tourists are also given a “runner” here. In the last third settling tank there is the border terminal itself.

At this point, travelers must choose which corridor they want to travel to next. If there is no need to declare any goods, you should select Green. Otherwise, you will need to go to the Red Corridor.

At the final stage, travelers wishing to enter Poland should park their car in the terminal itself where the customs officer indicates and go to the transport inspection booth in order to obtain a signature on the “runner”. Here tourists will be checked, among other things, for paid transit.

Polish point "Slovatichi"

We found out how the Domachevo border crossing works. But what awaits travelers at the checkpoint on the Polish side? As soon as the signature on the “runner” is received, tourists can already leave the territory of Belarus. Motorists need to proceed across the repaired bridge over the Western Bug River and enter the Polish customs terminal. Here travelers will have to answer several routine questions from border guards.

Employees of the Polish checkpoint “Slovatichi” also speak Russian. So travelers shouldn’t have any particular problems crossing the border at this stage. The most common questions that employees of the Slovatichi point ask car owners are “What are you carrying?” and “Where are you going?”

As many travelers note, Polish border guards often check the operation of the lighting equipment in the cars of tourists crossing the border. The employees of the Slovatichi checkpoint very carefully monitor the amount of alcohol transported into the territory of their state. It is not allowed to carry more than 1 liter of vodka and 2 liters of wine per person. In addition, the quantity of cigarettes transported by travelers is checked at the Polish border. According to the rules, you are allowed to have no more than 2 packs of tobacco products per person.

At the entrance to the border checkpoint

So, all roads lead to Rome, and ours for now lead to the Belarusian-Polish border. It can be seen from afar.

In front of it is a large parking lot, where there is a last chance to use free WC before the border crossing. The Poles also have it - but for zlotys. Go find them in no man's land.

We have almost no prohibited goods. Almost - because there was uneaten food left in the bag, and meat and dairy products are prohibited from being imported into the European Union. To be safe, we move them from the trunk to the cabin - the Flight Journalist always has a woman’s bag dangling under her feet, and as a rule, no one pays attention to it. This time we are not even bringing smuggled smokes - strictly according to the rules - 2 packs per person. The import of alcohol into Europe is also limited - one liter per person, but we do not go to Tula with our samovar or with our beer.

It is also prohibited to use photo and video equipment at the border crossing. A thorough search for photographs of the Polish security checkpoint did not lead to anything; only one old picture was found on Polish sites, so those interested will have to read, not watch. But in Belarus we managed to take several shots from afar.

What documents are required

To get to Poland through the Slovatichi - Domachevo border crossing, citizens of Belarus and the CIS countries, among other things, will need (as of 2021):

• green map;
• international passport with a valid visa;
• medical insurance;
• PTS, driver's license, registration certificate;
• maintenance certificate;
• a document confirming the purpose of the trip;
• paper confirming your hotel reservation.

Travelers transporting a pet will need to present to Polish border guards, among other things, a document certifying that the animal is free of diseases. In addition, the pet must have a tattooed number or an embedded CHIP.

Travelers may also be required to provide proof of solvency. Each person entering the territory of Poland must have with him an amount of at least 300 zlotys for each day of stay (including the equivalent in foreign currency). You can present either cash or a credit card to the border guards.

How to get to Poland through Domachevo for Russians

Poland also has a common border with the Russian Federation - in the Kaliningrad region. However, to get to this region, Russians need to travel through Lithuania, applying for a Schengen visa, or through Belarus. Therefore, many residents of the Russian Federation prefer to simply cross the border with Poland in the Brest region, including Domachevo, without making a “loop” to the Kaliningrad region.

In order to enter Belarus itself, Russian residents need to present at the border:

• your passport;
• documents confirming the right to drive a vehicle;
• green card.

Belarusian customs officers, among other things, have their own website. Here, Internet users who want to visit this country can use the electronic border crossing queue service. All you need to do is register on the site and fill out the form provided. You can take a place in the electronic queue to cross the Belarusian border 90 days in advance.

What is a green card

Such a policy is a kind of international similarity to the Russian MTPL. Many insurance companies in the Russian Federation and Belarus issue Green Cards. Tourists traveling to Poland should definitely buy such a policy. Otherwise, unfortunately, they will not be able to cross the border.

In Poland itself, you should definitely take your insurance policy with you everywhere. In case of its absence, road inspectors in this state issue the motorist a fairly large fine. Russian tourists should not travel on the roads of Belarus itself without this document. The fine for foreign citizens for its absence in this state is about $200.

Vehicle requirements

To successfully cross the border, it is necessary that the car meets the standards

Special attention is paid to details that it is advisable to follow in order to avoid problems: . large cracks in the windshield; car lighting

The headlights must be in good working order and work around the clock, so you should stock up on replacement bulbs; no serious damage to the body; uninterrupted operation of the car; lack of radar detectors and similar equipment, since they are not allowed in Poland; ban on studded tires in the country.

• large cracks in the windshield;
• car lighting. The headlights must be in good working order and work around the clock, so you should stock up on replacement bulbs;
• no serious damage to the body;
• uninterrupted operation of the car;
• lack of radar detectors and similar equipment, since they are not allowed in Poland;
• ban on studded tires in the country.

The requirements for the car are quite serious, there are rules that you have to take into account.

Car contents

Separate requirements are put forward for what is moved into the territory of the state. The driver will have to demonstrate the contents of the trunk and interior of the car when crossing the border. Required presence:

• fire extinguisher;
• emergency sign;
• reflective vests for each passenger. A prerequisite is to transport them in the cabin of the car, and not in the trunk. This is due to the need to safely exit the car in the dark while wearing a vest;
• first aid kits of the appropriate configuration.

Without each of the listed elements, a car can easily be rejected as unsuitable for travel.

List of documents

When crossing the border, you will need to fully comply with certain paper requirements. Moreover, documents when entering Poland by car will be required both for passengers and the driver, and for the vehicle itself. A Green Card policy is required. This document is an analogue of the usual MTPL, but is valid in 48 countries. Its price depends on the type of vehicle and the duration of the contract. You can conclude an agreement with many companies, and it is advisable to submit an application 30 days in advance.

Traveling through Poland

The closest city in this state to the Domachevo border crossing is Terespol. Recently, a lot of Russian and Belarusian tourists have been entering Poland. And the infrastructure in the vicinity of Terespol is very friendly to travelers from the CIS countries. Along the E30 highway, for example, leading from the Domachevo checkpoint to this town, there are many billboards and signs in Russian.

The roads themselves in Poland, judging by the reviews of tourists, are mostly smooth and two-lane. Overtaken drivers in this country traditionally move to the right to allow the faster driver to pass. On simple roads in Poland you are allowed to drive at a speed of up to 90 km/h, on highways - up to 120 km/h.

You can also pay for food in restaurants and rooms in many roadside motels in Poland in euros. Catering establishments and gas stations with toilets on the roads of this country are usually located every 30-50 km.

Motorists do not consider the roads of Poland too confusing. In order not to get lost in this country, Russian or Belarusian tourists do not even need a navigator. To travel comfortably on the roads of Poland, it will be enough to buy a simple card for any of the gas stations.