Belgien

Översikt

Capital: Brussels (pop. 2.122 million)
Population: 11,758,603 (2025 est.)
Other Urban Areas: Antwerp (pop. 1.057 million)
Religions: Roman Catholic, Protestant and other Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist, atheist, none
Languages: Dutch, French, German
Time Zone: UTC+1; daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March, ends last Sunday in October
Driving side: Right
Calling code: +32
Electrical plug(s): Type C and Type E

Pengar

The local currency in Belgium is Euros (EUR). As of 6 October 2026 100 EUR is equal to 112.17 USD.

Currency exchange can be done at airports, banks and exchange offices.

Travellers should be prepared to use credit or debit card payments in urban areas and cash in rural areas. Credit cards are widely accepted. ATMs are available in most places.

Tipping in restaurants is not expected because a 10-15% service charge is generally applied to a bill. Tips are not expected in taxis, but feel free to let your driver keep the change as a gratuity.

El

The power supply in Belgium is reliable. Electricity operates on 230V at 50Hz using plug type(s) C and E.

Pass

Most travellers will need a passport to enter Belgium. The passport must be valid for at least three months after the date of departure, have been issued within the last ten years and have two blank pages.

Nationals of the European Union (EU) can enter the Schengen area with a valid ID.

Visum

Visumfri inresa är tillgänglig för vissa resenärer som uppfyller kraven baserat på nationalitet och resans syfte. Alla andra resenärer måste skaffa visum från närmaste ambassad eller konsulat eller ansöka online (e-visum) före resan.

Inreseregler för visum varierar beroende på nationalitet, resans syfte och andra faktorer. Enskilda resenärer ansvarar för att säkerställa att de uppfyller alla visumkrav, vilka bör bekräftas med myndigheterna på resmålet före resan.

Visumfri resa

Visumfri resa inom Schengenområdet: Medborgare i något land som är del av Schengenavtalet kan fritt resa in och vistas i vilket Schengenland som helst utan visum. Vissa utländska medborgare från icke-Schengenländer har också rätt till inresa utan visum, inklusive medborgare från Storbritannien (UK), USA och Kanada bland andra, som kan resa visumfritt för korta vistelser upp till 90 dagar inom en 180-dagarsperiod.

Visum

Korttidsvisum för Schengen (typ C): Utländska medborgare från utvalda länder behöver Schengenvisum för att få inresa till något land i Schengenområdet.

Resenärer får vistas i något av Schengenländerna med enkel-, dubbel- eller flergångsvisum upp till 90 dagar (tre månader) under varje 180-dagarsperiod, oavsett vistelsens syfte.

Från och med 7 november 2025 utfärdas inga flergångsvisum till ryska medborgare.

Visum som utfärdas för Schengenländer gäller för hela Schengenområdet. Med ett Schengenvisum kan en tredjelandsmedborgare resa in i ett Schengenland och sedan fritt resa inom hela Schengenområdet, eftersom gränskontrollerna för personer som reser över Schengens nationella gränser har tagits bort.

Ansöknings- och handläggningstider kan variera beroende på individ och ambassad.

Lokal resor

Overview

The main entry point for international travellers is Brussels International Airport (BRU/EBBR). Air travel is safe and cheap. Belgium has an excellent public transport network that includes boats, ferries, trains, subways, taxis and buses, which are reliable, accessible and safe. Road conditions and road safety are very good throughout the country.

Travel Safety

Air Travel

Most international flights arrive at Brussels International Airport (BRU/EBBR), located 13 km (eight miles) northeast of the city centre. It is the home base for Brussels Airlines and TUI Airlines Belgium. The airport is safe, although incidents of petty crime are relatively common. Brussels International Airport Station is located on the lower level of the main terminal. Rail shuttle services link the airport to Brussels's North, South and Central stations at intervals of approximately 20 minutes. A bus service also runs from the lower level of the airport into central Brussels, stopping at Place Schuman, next to the EU Commission, and Place Luxembourg, next to the EU Parliament. Taxi services from the airport to the city centre are available 24 hours a day.

Brussels South Charleroi Airport (CRL/ EBCI), also called Brussels South, is located 46 km (29 miles) south of Brussels, and it is the second busiest airport in Belgium. Buses make the 45-minute journey from the airport to Gare du Midi in Brussels every half hour. Taxis are also available.

Antwerp International Airport (ANR/EBAW) is located one hour’s drive from Brussels and operates commercial and charter flights. To get from Antwerp Airport to Brussels, travellers should take the De Lijn bus from outside the Antwerp Airport arrivals terminal to Antwerp Railway Station, where there are regular services to Brussels. The total journey time is approximately 90 minutes. Due to the relatively small size of the country, regular domestic flights are unavailable in Belgium.

Air Belgium indefinitely suspended all passenger flights from 3 October 2023.

Airspace

Following the European Union (EU) Commission announcement that all EU airspace will be closed to Russian-owned, Russian-registered and Russian-controlled aircraft, including private planes and for overflights, all flights to and from Russia will be banned until further notice, in line with EU sanctions on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine.

Identification

Most travellers will need a passport to enter Belgium. The passport must be valid for at least three months after the date of departure, have been issued within the last ten years and have two blank pages.
Travellers are allowed entry with passports where gender is indicated as "neutral". The country's overall social acceptance of LGBTQ people is good.

Road Travel

In Belgium, road users drive on the right side of the road and overtake on the left. Belgian roads are maintained to a high standard and connect every region of the country. Traffic laws in Belgium are strict and effectively enforced. Speed limits are 120kph (75 mph) on motorways and dual carriageways; 90kph (56 mph) on open roadways; 50kph (31 mph) in urban and residential areas and 30kph (19 mph) near schools, hospitals and churches.

Vehicles are required by law to be equipped with a first aid kit and fire extinguisher. The use of seat belts is mandatory for all passengers. Children under 12 are not allowed to sit in the front seat if there is a seat available in the back of the car. Priority is to the right, except on motorways, roundabouts and priority roads. Belgian rules for right-of-way are very strict. Drivers must yield to trams at all times. Cars must stop behind trams and wait for passengers to disembark and board.

Place names are often indicated in either Dutch or French, but not in both languages, except in Brussels-Capital region where bilingual signage is the norm. Visitors should be aware of the Dutch and French equivalents of place names to avoid confusion.

In the event of a breakdown or accident on a motorway, call for assistance using one of the orange emergency phones placed at regular intervals by the side of the road.

Rail Travel

Trains are generally safe, clean and comfortable, connecting Brussels to destinations across Europe. Brussels Gare du Midi is the terminal for the Eurostar to/from London in the UK and Lille in France, and for the high-speed Thalys and TGV trains that travel to France, the Netherlands, Germany and Switzerland. Alternatively, regular EuroCity trains travel to most European cities. All trains within Belgium, including commuter services, are operated by SNCB/NMBS, Belgium's national railway company, and are efficient, inexpensive and safe. Destinations are listed at stations in the language of the locality. Pickpockets operate on intercity and international trains, including the Paris-Brussels-Amsterdam and the Brussels-London lines. Travellers should exercise caution at major railway stations; never leave luggage unattended. Further information about SNCB tickets, schedules, or routes can be found in the official website or app.

Public Transport

In Belgium, public transport is generally very safe, fast, comfortable and accessible. There are regular rail connections between larger cities, with buses covering shorter distances. While reports of petty crime on public transport are declining, such incidents are still common. Incidents of violent crime on Belgian public transport are on the rise, including sexual assaults.

Ferries and Boats: Reliable international ferry services link Zeebrugge and Ostend to the United Kingdom (UK); however these can be expensive and time-consuming.

Buses: Buses offer a safe and efficient means of travel across Belgium and to neighbouring countries. Most vehicles are new and well-maintained. In Brussels, buses and trams run from 05:00-00:00 local time daily and are operated by transport company MIVB/STIB. Buses and trams outside Brussels are operated by De Lijn in Flanders and TEC in Wallonia and do not use the same tickets as MIVB/STIB buses, so travellers should ensure they have the right ticket for the right service provider. Tickets must be stamped in the validating machine upon boarding and remain valid for one hour after purchase.

Metro: The Brussels and Antwerp Metros are generally efficient and safe, running from 05:00-00:00 local time daily. Petty crimes such as pickpocketing can occur in crowded carriages.

Taxis: Taxis are generally safe, although expensive. Travellers are advised to only use licensed taxis, which can be identified by the “TAXI” symbol on the roof of the vehicle; the many unlicensed taxis at airports, train stations and other tourist locations should be avoided. Taxis are metered and will indicate whether tariff I (urban) or tariff II (outside the city) has been selected. An extra fee will be charged for journeys made after 22:00 local time. Rideshare options are also available.

Vehicle Hire: There are many international car rental firms in Belgium. Local firms are often cheaper and their vehicles are as well-maintained as those provided by international firms.