Belarus overhauls property laws to protect spouses' rights in real estate deals
Belarus has seen a major shift in how real estate transactions are handled. A new legal rule now requires both spouses’ full names to be recorded when married couples buy property. The change aims to improve transparency and protect legal rights for partners. Before 2025, joint shared ownership was rare in Belarus. In 2024, only 3% of apartments were registered under this system. But by the following year, the figure had climbed to 30%.
The new rule, introduced in 2025, ensures both partners’ shares in a property are clearly stated. This prevents one spouse from hiding jointly owned assets. Officials say the measure strengthens legal protections and simplifies transactions. In the first quarter of 2026, half of all real estate deals followed the updated framework. Out of 2,600 transactions, 1,300 were processed under the new system.
The policy has led to a tenfold increase in joint ownership registrations within two years. More couples now have their property rights formally recognised. The government expects the trend to continue as awareness of the new rules grows.
