This advice has been reviewed and reissued with an amendment to the Summary (removal of the reference to the possibility of industrial action on railways on 31 December).  The overall level of the advice has not changed.

Terrorism

There is an underlying threat from terrorism.  Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.  The area around Brussels in particular hosts a number of international institutions (EU, NATO) which are sensitive locations. In early January 2004, two letter bombs were sent from Italy to different EU institutions in Brussels; there were no casualties. The Belgian government passed legislation in 2006 to increase the effectiveness of its counter-terrorism effort.

For further information read “Security and General Tips”, and “Risk of Terrorism when Travelling Overseas”

Crime

Most visits to Belgium are trouble-free.  The incidence of crimes such as mugging, bag snatching and pick pocketing is comparable with the UK.  You should take normal, common sense precautions to avoid becoming a victim.

Take only the minimum amount of cash, credit cards and personal ID necessary when you go out.  As far as possible leave jewellery, other valuables and documents in a secure place (eg hotel safe deposit).  Avoid carrying money, bank/credit cards and your passport in the same bag or pocket.  For safety, leave a photocopy of your passport and itinerary with a contact in the UK.  Enter next-of-kin details into the back of your passport.

In the event of theft, contact the nearest police station and obtain a police report.  This report is mandatory when applying for a replacement passport or insurance claim.  If you have difficulty reporting the theft of your cards to your UK bank/credit card company, you can ask the Belgian group "Card Stop" to send a fax to your UK card company to block your card.  Alternatively, if you have Belgian issued bank/credit cards, Card Stop will be able to block them.  Card Stop's telephone number is:  +32-(0)70/344 344.

You should 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).  Pickpockets also operate on international trains, mainly Paris-Brussels and Amsterdam-Brussels. 

 

Never leave luggage unattended.  There have been reports of luggage being stolen from the racks at the end of carriages in high-speed trains (eg TGV and Thalys), usually just before the doors close in readiness for the train to depart.

Do not leave valuables such as purses, bags or mobile phones visible in your car, even when you are in it.  Keep car doors locked and windows secure at all times.  It is increasingly common for thieves, usually on motorbikes, to break a window and snatch valuables from the front or back passenger seat when the vehicle is stationary at traffic lights.  Car jacking, especially of up-market vehicles, remains a risk.

 

For more general information see:  Victims of Crime Abroad

Political Situation

Belgium Country Profile.

LOCAL TRAVEL

Road Travel

 

If you wish to drive in Belgium you must have a valid UK driving licence, insurance and vehicle documents.  If you are driving a vehicle that does not belong to you then written permission from the registered owner may also be requested.

 

Belgian roads are generally in good condition and at night are well lit, including the motorway network.  Traffic is fast and Belgium’s accident rate is high mainly due to speeding.  In 2005 there were 1,089 road deaths in Belgium (source: DfT).  This equates to 10.4 road deaths per 100,000 of population and compares to the UK average of 5.5 road deaths per 100,000 of population in 2005.

 

Speed traps, cameras and unmarked vehicles are operational throughout the country.  Since February 2007 the following road regulations were brought into place: 

You should take great care to obey the ‘priority to the right’ rule, which was tightened up on March 2007.  Drivers must give absolute priority to vehicles joining a road from the right, even if they have stopped at a road junction or stopped for pedestrians or cyclists.  Exemptions to this rule include motorways, roundabouts, roads sign-posted with an orange diamond within a white background, and drivers who are attempting to join a road after having driven down a street in the wrong direction.

 

Trams have priority over other traffic.  If a tram or bus stops in the middle of the road to allow passengers on or off, you must stop.

 

There is a speed restriction of 30 kms/hr in school areas, which is valid 24 hours (even when schools are closed).  The start and finish of these zones are not always clearly marked.

 

Fines have increased dramatically (eg up to € 2,750 for exceeding the speed limit by 40 kms/hr).  If you are unable to pay an on the spot fine your vehicles may be impounded.  More detailed information is available on: http://www.britishembassy.gov.uk/belgium.

 

Do not drink and drive, frequent alcohol checks are made, in daytime as well as at night.  A maximum of 0.22 mg/l (0.5 promille) is allowed.  A blood sample will be taken if you refuse to be breathalysed.  Fines are heavy depending on the degree of intoxication and range from € 1,100 to € 11,000.  In certain cases driving licences have been confiscated immediately.

 

Using a mobile 'phone while driving is not allowed and will incur a heavy fine.  The use of "hands free" equipment is allowed.

 

For more general information see:  Driving Abroad

Air Travel

The revised EU-wide security measures that came into effect for all passengers departing from UK airports in November 2006 are also being implemented in Belgium.  For more details about this please see: Dft Airline Security

You should carry your valid passport at all times, as Belgian law requires everyone to carry some form of identification.

Possession of drugs and trafficking in drugs are serious offences.

 

For more general advice for different types of travellers see:  Travel Checklists

Visas

 

Holders of British passports, describing them as "British Citizens", do not require visas to enter Belgium.  If you intend to work or remain in Belgium for more than three months you must apply to the local communal authorities for a residence permit.

Passport validity

 

Your passport should be valid for at least six months.

Travelling with children

Single parents or other adults travelling alone with children should be aware that some countries require documentary evidence of parental responsibility before allowing lone parents to enter the country or, in some cases, before permitting the children to leave the country.  For further information on exactly what will be required at immigration please contact the Belgian Embassy in London..

The Form E111 is no longer valid.  You should obtain a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) before leaving the UK.  The EHIC is not a substitute for medical and travel insurance, but entitles you to emergency medical treatment on the same terms as Belgian nationals.  You will not be covered for medical repatriation, on-going medical treatment or treatment of a non-urgent nature.  For more information about how to obtain the EHIC please see:  Europe and the EHIC.

 

The standard of health care in Belgium is high.

 

You should seek medical advice before travelling and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date.  NHS Direct (0845 46 47) can provide you with advice on vaccination requirements for Belgium.

 

For further information on endemic diseases, health outbreaks and vaccination requirements for Belgium you should check the websites of NaTHNaC and NHS Scotland's Fit For Travel.

 

For more general health information see Travel Health

Insurance

 

We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling.  You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake.  Please see:  Travel Insurance

 

If things do go wrong when overseas then this is: What We Can Do To Help

 

Emergency numbers

 

Emergency numbers are 101 (for the police), 100 (for medical services), and 112 (from a mobile phone). 

 

European Union

 

Information on the EU can be found at:  Travelling and Living in the EU (pdf) and Britain in the EU.

 

Money

 

Since 15 June 2007 new legislation on the controls of cash entering or leaving the EU apply in all Member States.  Any person entering or leaving the EU will have to declare the cash that they are carrying if this amounts to 10,000 euros or more; this includes cheques, travellers' cheques, money orders, etc.  This will not apply to anyone travelling via the EU to a non-EU country, as long as the original journey started outside of the EU nor to those travelling within the EU.