Insurance
Travel Health Insurance that covers medical emergencies with a minimum of €30,000, for your whole period of stay is required
If you reach Belgium through the air, upon arrival at the Belgian airport you will have to present some travel and identification documents to the Belgian border officer.
These documents are as follows:
- A valid passport or travel document. Valid for at least three more months beyond the date you plan to leave Belgium (and the Schengen Zone), issued within the last 10 years.*
- A visa – if you are subject to the Belgian visa regime.
You may also be asked for other supporting documents such as an invitation letter from a Belgian host, proof of lodging or a round-trip ticket.
For more information in this regard, contact the local consular services of Belgium in your home country.
These documents will be checked by the Belgian border official, who may ask you a few questions about your trip to Belgium like:
- What is your purpose of visiting Belgium?
- How long do you intend to stay in Belgium?
- Where are you going to stay in Belgium? Etc.
Upon checking your documents, the Belgian border officer will give the final decision whether you should be permitted to enter Belgium or not. If everything looks okay, you will be allowed to enter Belgium, and thus the Schengen Area.
Please, make sure that the Belgian border officer gives you an entry stamp in your passport when you enter the Schengen area. Without a stamp, you could be fined or detained from Belgium.
Who Needs a Tourist Schengen Visa When Traveling to Europe for Tourism?
EU/EFTA nationals
Citizens of the European Union (EU) and the European Free Trade Association (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland) can travel freely to Belgium without a visa. EU and EEA citizens don’t need a work permit to work. Citizens of the 25 other Schengen Area countries within the EU/EFTA can travel freely to Belgium without a passport.
Those from EU countries that are not part of the Schengen Area (Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Ireland, Romania) need to show a passport but don’t need a visa.
After Brexit UK nationals now require a visa if they want to stay in the EU for longer than 90 days out of a 180 day period.
On the day of travel, UK passports must have at least six months left and be less than 10 years old.
Under certain circumstances, EU/EEA/Swiss citizens need to register at the local town hall (maison communale/gemeentehuis) when they arrive in Belgium.
Non-EU/EFTA nationals
Third-country nationals (non-EU/EFTA citizens) will normally need a Belgian visa for any long-term stay (over 90 days) in Belgium. For shorter stays under 90 days, residents of many countries must apply for a short-stay visa. Some non-EU/EFTA countries have agreements with Schengen Area states to allow their citizens visa-free stays of up to 90 days for tourism or business.
Tourist Schengen Visa
A Tourist Schengen Visa permits third-country nationals to enter the Schengen Area for a maximum of 90 days within a 6-month period, under the purpose of traveling or visiting Europe for pleasure.
Non-European citizens willing to travel to Europe for tourism purpose might be required to apply for a short-term Schengen visa under the “tourist” specification.
When applying for a Tourist Schengen Visa, you must submit the following documents:
2) Two recent photos. Taken within the last three months, in compliance with the Schengen visa photo criteria.
3) Valid passport. No older than ten years and with a minimum validity of three months beyond your planned stay in Schengen. It must have at least two blank pages in order to be able to affix the visa sticker.
4) Roundtrip reservation or itinerary. A document that includes dates and flight numbers specifying entry and exit from the Schengen area.
5) Proof of accommodation. Evidence that shows where you will be staying throughout your time in Schengen.
This could be a:
a) Hotel/hostel booking. With name, complete address, phone and e-mail, for the entire time you will be in the Schengen area.
b) Rent agreement. If you have rented a place, in the country you will be staying.
c)Letter of tour organizer. If you will be traveling with a tour agency.
6)Proof of financial means. Evidence that shows you have enough money to support yourself throughout your stay in Schengen.
This could be a:
a) Bank account statement.
b) Sponsorship Letter. When another person will be financially sponsoring your trip to the Schengen Zone. It is also often called an Affidavit of Support.
c)A combination of both.
7)Evidence of employment status.
If employed:
a) Employment contract,
b) Leave permission from the employer
c) Income Tax Return
If self-employed:
a) A copy of your business license,
b) Company’s bank statement of the latest 6 months
c) Income Tax Return (ITR)
If a student:
a) Proof of enrollment &
b) No Objection Letter from University
c) Travel Itinerary. A description of your trip to Europe, your purpose of travelling, which places are you going to visit in Europe, the time frame and all the personal data.
For Minors:
a) Either birth certificate/proof of adoption/custody decree if parents are divorced / death certificate of parent
b) Letter of consent from parents, including passport copies of both parents/ legal guardian
Where to Submit the Tourist Schengen Visa Application?
By the main destination:
1) When visiting only one Schengen state, submit your application at the embassy/consulate/visa centre of that country.
2) When visiting more than two Schengen states, submit your application at the embassy/consulate/visa centre of the country:
- In which you will be spending more days
- In which you will step in first since you plan to spend an equal amount of days in each.
Pay attention to how the authorities of your main destination have regulated visa submission in your country. In bigger countries, visa submission is regulated through jurisdictions. Make sure to apply at the embassy, consulate or visa centre of your destination country, under the jurisdiction of which the area where you live falls.
To complete your Tourist Schengen visa application successfully, follow these steps:
1) Make sure you qualify for a Tourist Schengen Visa. Due to the fact that there are several Schengen visa types, you must make sure that the visa you need is this one.
2) Find out where you need to apply.
3) Figure out the best time to lodge your tourist visa application.
4) Collect the required documents for a Tourist Schengen Visa.
5)
Make an appointment at the embassy of your destination country. You may have to make this appointment online or in person at the embassy/consulate/visa centre.
6) Attend the visa interview.
7) Pay the tourist visa fee.
8) Wait for a response on your visa application.
When to Apply for a Tourist Schengen Visa?
Submit your Tourist Schengen Visa application at least 15 calendar days prior to your planned journey to the Schengen Area. This is the latest you can file your application. On the other hand, the earliest you can apply for a Tourist visa to the Schengen Zone is three months before your trip.
How Long Does It Take To Receive the Visa?
It is advisable to apply for a Schengen Tourist Visa at least 2 weeks prior to the planned trip. The Embassy Consulate will then reply in 10 working days as common (or less as usually occurs), the time taken to proceed with all the documentation and the traveller’s request. Depending on the situation, proceeding time might take up to two months if there is something extraordinary with the individual case or any unusual political situation is on the go.
How Long Is the Visa Valid For?
A tourist visa is commonly valid for stays no more than 90 days. If you will be traveling a lot and not only in one Schengen country it’s recommendable to fill in the “multiple entry” gap in the application form. This way you will be able to enter and leave Schengen Zone as you please for the amount of time allowed on your visa issued.
Can I Extend a Tourist Schengen Visa?
A Tourist Schengen visa can be extended only on some very specific occasions, as:
- Late Entry
- Humanitarian Reasons
- Force Majeure
- Important Personal Reasons
However, remember that the chances to extend your Schengen visa are very low. In order to get a tourist visa extension for any of the reasons given above, your application needs very strong arguments.
A Transit Schengen Visa is a permit for persons who only need to enter the Schengen territory in order to change their means of transport.
What is an Airport Transit Schengen Visa?
An Airport Transit Schengen Visa is a permit designated for travellers that have to change flights at a Schengen airport. It enables them to stop and wait in the international transit area of a Schengen airport for their flight to their destination country.
However, this visa does not permit its holder to leave the international transit area of an airport, even if the traveller has to wait overnight.
Please note that if you need to transit through more than one airport within the Schengen Area, then you are no longer eligible for an Airport Transit Visa. You should instead apply for a regular Schengen Visa (C Type).
This happens because flights between two or more Schengen countries are considered to be “domestic” flights, even if they are undertaken for transit purposes.
You will also have to apply for a regular Schengen Visa (C Type), in case you need to leave the airport in order to take your flight in another airport within the same country.
The nationals of the following countries need an airport transit visa when passing through the international transit area of any Schengen country airport:
- Afghanistan
- Bangladesh
- The Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Eritrea
- Ethiopia
- Ghana
- Iran
- Iraq
- Nigeria
- Pakistan
- Somalia
- Sri Lanka
Airport Transit Schengen Visa Exempt Categories
You may be exempt from the airport visa requirement, even if you belong to any of the above-listed countries if you:
1) hold a diplomatic passport
2) are a family member of a citizen of the EU, EEA or Switzerland
3) hold a valid visa issued by a Schengen state, a Member State of the European Union or the European Economic Area, Canada, Japan or the United States
4) hold a valid residence permit issued by a Schengen state, a Member State of the European Union or the European Economic Area, the Principality of Andorra, Canada, Japan, Republic of San Marino, or the United States
5)are a flight crew member national of a contracting party to the Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation
The required documents to apply for an Airport Transit Schengen Visa are as follows:
-
Visa application form. A regular short-stay visa application form, fully completed, printed and signed at the end.
- Two recent photos. Taken within the last three months and according to the requirements for a Schengen visa photo.
- Valid passport. With at least two blank pages in order to be able to affix the visa sticker in it. It must be no older than ten years and with validity.
- Documents related to the onward journey to the final destination
- Return flight ticket reservation showing the ongoing travel to a third country
- Visa issued by the country of your travel destination in case you need a visa
- Travel insurance policy. That covers any medical emergencies with a minimum of €30,000.
- Proof of paid visa fee. Which costs the same as a short-stay visa.
To apply for a Transit Schengen visa, follow the steps listed below in the given order:
1) Check if you are required to hold this visa.
2)Complete the application form.
3) Collect the required documents. You can find the required documents for a Schengen visa listed and explain above in this article.
4) Make an appointment.
5) Attend your appointment to submit the required documents.
6) Pay the fee. The fee for a Transit visa is €60. Still, you should check the list of Schengen visa fees since you may have to pay a reduced fee instead, or no fee at all.
You will have to submit your Transit Schengen Visa application at the representative visa authority of the country where the airport/seaport where you will change flight/vessel is located.
This representative authority may be:
- The embassy of the country where the airport/seaport is located
- The consulate
- A visa center of a third party to which this country has outsourced visa submission
- The embassy/consulate of another country to which this country has outsourced visa submission
Submit your Transit Schengen Visa application at least 15 days prior to your trip to the Schengen Zone. It is highly recommended to submit your application as soon as possible, though you cannot do it more than three months prior to your planned departure date.
You will receive an answer on your Transit Schengen Visa application within two weeks approximately.
In case of specific or extraordinary situations, this period may extend up to 30 or 60 calendar days. That is why you are highly suggested to lodge your application well in advance. However, you still cannot submit an application more than three months prior to your trip.
An Airport Transit Schengen visa is valid for 24 hours, and only in the international transit area of a Schengen airport. If you need to leave this area or to remain there longer than one day, then you will have to apply for a regular Schengen visa instead maximum of five days in the Schengen territory, before leaving the Schengen area.
Requirements for cats/dogs or ferrets:
1) Microchip + rabies shots:
The microchip (15 digits).
If you are traveling to a EU country and your pet has the 9 digit microchip, your pet will either need another 15 digit microchip OR you will need to bring your own scanner. (the 15 digit ISO microchip is fast becoming the world standard).In Europe, the standard pet microchip meets ISO standard 11784/17785 and is a 15 digit microchip operating at 134.2 kHz )
“Pet dogs, cats, and ferrets must be identified with a microchip compatible with ISO standard 11784 or 11785 or the appropriate microchip reader must be provided along with the pet. Microchip implantation must occur prior to rabies vaccination. Any rabies vaccination that occurs prior to microchip implantation is not considered valid regardless of whether the animal was up-to-date on its previous rabies vaccines. In this case, the animal must be revaccinated. 21 days must have elapsed after the first (primary) vaccination after implantation of the microchip before the animal is eligible to enter the European Union. A rabies vaccination is considered primary if either: (1) an animal was up-to-date on its rabies vaccination but vaccination occurred prior to microchip implantation, (2) vaccination was not carried out within the period of validity of a previous vaccination, or (3) the animal was vaccinated for the first time.“
2) The rabies vaccinations:
After the implant of the microchip and at least 21 days before traveling. (So at least 21 days - but the “maximum” vaccination of a pet cannot exceed 3 years - otherwise the pet will need to get vaccinated again.) Also, if the shots were given before the implantation of the new microchip, your pet will need a rabies booster shot and again has to wait at least 21 days before traveling.
(A puppy has to be at least 3 months old before getting the vaccination and afterwards wait at least 21 days before travel)
3) Veterinary certificate (within 10 days of travel):
If the veterinary is USDA accredited, his signature will suffice.
5 or less dogs, cats, and ferrets traveling:
- Owner traveling on the same plane as the pet OR owner travels within 5 days before or after the pet
Certificate must be issued within 10 days of entering the EU
- Designated person traveling on the same plane as the pet OR designated person* travels within 5 days before or after the pet
Certificate must be issued within 10 days of entering the EU
- Neither the owner nor a designated person is traveling within 5 days of the pet
Certificate must be issued within 48 hours of departing the U.S.
- Designated person: a family member, friend, or other person authorized by the owner to travel with pet - Health Certificate (Movement of no more than 5 non-commercial pet animals)
6 or more dogs, cats and ferrets traveling
- Privately owned pets
Certificate must be issued within 48 hours of departing the U.S.
- Pets traveling in a group to the EU to participate in competitions, exhibitions, sporting events, or in training for those events
Certificate must be issued within 10 days of entering the EU - Health Certificate (Movement of commercial of more than 5 non-commercial pet animals)
Please note:
The EU health certificate is valid for travel within the EU for up to 4 months from the date it is issued by the USDA Accredited Veterinarian as long as the rabies vaccine documented on it does not expire.
4)Post-rabies/titillation test:
This is only needed if your pet is coming from a third world country, not if your pet is leaving from the US. (For example: If you came back from Africa, your pet would need it)
If you have any more questions, please contact Mrs. Malliet, Mrs. Rixta Lycklama or M. Moelans. at the email address below.
Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain
Import, Export & Notifications
Food Safety Center (6th floor, office 04), Kruidtuinlaan 55
1000 Brussel , Belgium
Tel.: +32 211 8466
Fax.: +32 211 8468
E-mail:
[email protected]: with regard to import controls in Belgium; now managed by the " Thematic Control Unit Border Control Point " (TCU BCP)
[email protected]: with regard to intra-community certification and exports to third countries, now managed by the "Notifications and Certification Cell" (CNC)"
Customs regulations in Belgium are standard for the EU.
Duty-free import of cigarettes - up to 200 pcs., cigars - 100 pcs., cigars - 50 pcs., tobacco - 250 g, strong spirits - up to 1 l, wine - up to 2 l . Persons transporting alcoholic beverages and cigarettes must be over 17 years of age.
It is prohibited to export weapons and ammunition, antiques, as well as objects of cultural, historical or artistic value without a special permit.
There are no restrictions on the import or export of currency in the form of banknotes or traveler's checks. Without filling out a special customs declaration, it is allowed to move currency, checks and securities for a total amount of no more than 10,000 euros across the border.
Duty-free import when entering from outside the EU
Other products:
• Medicines - for personal use only
• Goods for personal use of a non-commercial nature in the amount of no more than 430 euros when traveling by plane or ship;
• Goods for personal use of a non-commercial nature in the amount of no more than 300 euros when traveling by land;
• Goods for personal use of a non-commercial nature worth no more than 150 euros for travelers under 15 years of age.
Non-commercial items are incidental and consist solely of goods for the traveler's personal or family use, or goods intended as gifts.
Prohibited:
• Meat and dairy products produced outside the EU countries, with the exception of products in limited quantities from Andorra, the Faroe Islands, Greenland, Iceland and a small amount of certain products from other countries;
• Protected species and their products, eg ivory, turtle shell, coral, reptile skin, wood from the Amazon forests.
Limited import:
• pets must be identified (brand or electronic identification system), vaccinated against rabies, as well as the necessary veterinary certificate;
• no more than 10 kg of meat, milk and dairy products brought from the Faroe Islands, Greenland and Iceland;
• infant milk powder, baby food and special medical food (including pet food) may be allowed if they do not need to be refrigerated before opening and if these products are factory-produced in original sealed packaging and the quantity does not exceed 10 kg (for the production of the Faroe Islands, Greenland and Iceland) and 2 kg (for the production of other countries).
• fish, only gutted and its weight does not exceed 20 kg;
• currency - without restrictions, if it is imported from EU countries. All travelers arriving from outside the EU must declare amounts exceeding 10,000 euros or the equivalent in another currency;
• fur and leather shoes made from protected animal species - a special permit is required.
Limited export (depends on declaration):
• Currency - without restrictions, when traveling to a country that is not part of the EU. All travelers arriving from outside the EU must declare amounts exceeding €10,000 or the equivalent in another currency.
1. You will rarely need cash in Belgium
You can pay with your card everywhere, except maybe in some tiny shops or souvenir shops. Even in public transportation, you can usually pay not only with your card, but also with your phone or smartwatch.
2. Do not rent a car in Brussels
If you are planning a trip to Brussels, don't rent a car (unless it's for a day trip around the city). Public transportation in Brussels is generally safe (beware of pickpockets), convenient, efficient and very affordable.
Many areas of Brussels (including the tourist areas) can be easily explored on foot, and you can take a bus, tram or metro to reach outlying parts of the city. Renting a car will only lead to additional costs, expensive parking and is generally not a good idea for getting around the city.
3. Travel by train in Belgium
Belgian trains are comfortable, cheap and fast. You can get from Brussels to Ghent or Antwerp in 30 minutes! This makes day trips from Brussels very easy.
Within the country, two people can travel by train for the price of one with a "duo ticket".
Check connections and buy tickets on
the website of the Belgian National Railway Company (SNBC).
4. Bring an umbrella and raincoat
As in England and northern France, rain is a common occurrence in Belgian life. In Brussels, for example, there are about 140 rainy days a year!
5. Take advantage of numerous Belgian train discounts
Belgium has incredibly good rail connections and train travel is surprisingly affordable, thanks in large part to a number of attractive discounts.
Here are some of them that are worth paying attention to:
- Youth ticket (formerly Go Pass 1): A ticket for people under the age of 26 that allows you to buy one train ticket for €7.10 to any destination in the country. It is much cheaper than paying the full price!
- Standard Multi (Rail Pass): Provides you with 10 trips throughout the year for €96 and these trips can be transferred to other people in your group, so it can be an easy way to save money if you are traveling in a group. A youth pass is also available (for people under 26), which is even cheaper.
- Weekend ticket: If you are planning day trips or additional trips on the weekend, you can save 50% of the fare with a weekend ticket, which is valid for round trips departing after 19:00 on Friday and returning by Sunday.
- Discovery tickets: Give you 50% off a round-trip train ticket if you use it to visit attractions that are on their list. Similarly, you can use Bravo Tickets, which give you a 50% discount if you are going to one of the concerts or festivals on their list.
6. Don't forget to also have at least a 1 euro coin for the museum lockers
Especially in Brussels, it is noticeable that many museums are very strict about tourists carrying ordinary backpacks around the hall and emphasize that they must be left in a locker. Most of these lockers require a deposit of one euro, which you will receive back, so just make sure you have this coin with you.
7. Keep an eye out for free museum admission days
One of the best ways to save money in Belgium is to find out in advance about free days at major museums.
In Brussels, for example, many museums are free on the first Wednesday and first Sunday of every month.
In Antwerp, the same goes for the last Wednesday of the month.
In Liege, there are also several free museums on the first Sunday.
So if you want to save some money, be sure to check if there are any such offers in your city.
8. Belgium is very friendly to cyclists
Like many other countries in Europe (including the neighboring Netherlands), Belgium is incredibly cyclist-friendly, and this is especially true in the Flemish part of the country.
Getting around by bike is a quick and efficient way to see more of the city and the sights in one go, and bike rental outlets can be easily found in most major cities and towns.
9. Don't trust the opening and closing hours listed on Google Maps!
Many tourists make the mistake of trusting the opening and closing hours listed on Google Maps, and this leads them astray many times.
For large museums and cultural attractions, the opening hours are quite accurate, but for restaurants, coffee shops, and small retail stores, the opening and closing times are often incorrect. Make sure you find accurate information on the store or restaurant's website. CityMapper is a good option for Brussels, but none of the other Belgian cities are listed in the app.
10. Do not plan to go shopping or sightseeing before 10 am.
Many commercial centers in Belgium start to come alive after 10 am, so don't rush to start your day too early.
If you're an early bird, take some time in the morning to explore a nearby park or sit and enjoy a leisurely morning coffee. Also, if you're visiting Belgium during the winter months (especially December and January), the sun doesn't rise until 8am!
Sources:
European emergency number Valid in Brussels and throughout Europe, for all medical emergencies Phone: 112
Online: www.sos112.be
Police emergencies Phone: 101. To find the nearest police station, see the section on police zones.
Fire and ambulance services Phone: 100
Online: firebru.brussels
Red Cross Phone: 105
Rode Kruis Vlaanderen (Dutch-speaking service)Online: www.rodekruis.be (NL)
In a medical emergency as a result of an accident, violence or a fire, call 100 (in Belgium) or 112 (valid throughout the European Union). Both of these numbers are free 24 hours a day from a landline, a public telephone or a mobile phone (even when networks are not available or overloaded.
The list of Belgian embassies and consulates abroad is published on the website of the FPS Foreign Affairs.
Belgium