Latushka Appeals to the European External Action Service Over Belarusians’ Banking Problems

Deputy Head of the United Transitional Cabinet and Head of the National Anti-Crisis Management Pavel Latushka has appealed to the European External Action Service (EEAS) to address problems faced by Belarusian citizens when opening bank accounts in the European Union, the United Transitional Cabinet reported.

Belarusian citizens awaiting decisions on residence permits face obstacles in opening and using bank accounts. The situation has worsened following the adoption of the “consular decree,” which prohibits Belarusians from obtaining or renewing passports outside Belarus.

In a number of EU countries, the process of obtaining and renewing residence permits, including through international protection procedures, can take between six and 24 months. During this period, individuals remain legally in the country on the basis of a stamp, temporary certificate or another document confirming the submission of an application, but do not possess a residence permit card. Banks that apply an excessively cautious interpretation of the rules block payment cards and access to banking services.

Latushka stressed that such practices contradict the EU’s humanitarian principles and the provisions of the Payment Accounts Directive, which guarantees the right to a basic payment account for all legal residents of the European Union.

Latushka proposed that the EEAS:

• issue official guidance confirming that individuals awaiting residence permits or international protection and possessing the relevant documents from national authorities should be treated on an equal basis with those who have already received residence authorization;
• recognize a foreigner’s travel document and a foreigner’s temporary identity document as sufficient grounds for exemption from restrictions;
• recommend that banks not restrict access to mobile applications and payment instruments during the period of waiting for documents if the legality of a person’s stay in the country has been officially confirmed.