Belgium Travel Guide

Belgium — Passport and Visa Information

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Passports

Country	Passport Required	Visa Required	Return Ticket Required
British	Yes	No	No
Australian	Yes	No	Yes
Canadian	Yes	No	Yes
USA	Yes	No	Yes
Other EU	1	No	No

Passport valid for at least three months beyond length of stay required by all nationals referred to in chart above except:
(a) 1. EU nationals (except nationals of Denmark, Sweden and the UK) holding a valid national ID card.

Note: EU nationals are only required to produce evidence of their EU nationality and identity in order to be admitted to any EU Member State. This evidence can take the form of a valid national passport or national identity card. Either is acceptable. Possession of a return ticket, any length of validity on their document, sufficient funds for the length of their proposed visit should not be imposed.

Passport Notes

Belgium is a signatory to the 1995 Schengen Agreement.

Visas

Not required by all nationals referred to in the chart above for stays of up to three months within a six-month period. Nationals staying for longer than three months may require a Long-stay visa.

Note: Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements (see Important Addresses).

Types of Visa and Cost

Long-stay visas cost €180 and where short-stay visas are applicable they cost €60.

Travel Warnings

On 11 December 2008 a number of terrorist suspects were arrested in Belgium. There is a general threat from terrorism. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travelers.

Theft and pick pocketing is a problem in crowded areas. Be extra vigilant in Brussels and Antwerp at major railway stations, on the underground, buses and trams, particularly late at night. Thieves operate in the vicinity of the Brussels Gare du Midi/Zuidstation (Eurostar terminal), Gare du Nord and Schuman (the EU quarter). There have been several serious muggings in the vicinity of the two stations at night time.

There were disturbances in the Marolles area of south-central Brussels by protesters on 25 and 26 September 2006, following the death of a young man of North African origin in police custody. While the situation is now calm, travelers should be careful if visiting the area particularly after dark.

There have been two reported incidences of rabies in Belgium in 2007. The authorities have indicated that there is no cause for alarm but travelers should seek medical advice before traveling and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date.

This advice is based on information provided by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in the UK. It is correct at time of publishing. As the situation can change rapidly, visitors are advised to contact the following organizations for the latest travel advice:

British Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Tel: 0845 850 2829.
Website: www.fco.gov.uk

US Department of State
Website: http://travel.state.gov/travel

Health Care

If suddenly taken ill or involved in an accident, free or reduced-cost necessary treatment is available for European travelers - in most cases on production of a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). These should be obtained before leaving the UK. Comprehensive insurance is advised for all other nationals.