Passport & Visa

UK nationals holding a full valid EU passport do not require a visa to enter Belgium provided that they have at least three months validity on their passport beyond the last day of their visit and on condition that their stay does not exceed three months, within any period of six months. Entry to Belgium will not be permitted without a valid passport. Further information can be obtained from the Visa Application Centre at the Belgian Embassy, 1-8 Bateman Building, South Soho Square, London W1D 3AN (0871 376 0023) Other nationals please check before travelling as to which documents are required. For more travel advice visit www.fco.gov.uk and got to ‘Travel Advice by Country’.

Vaccinations

There are currently no requirements for British citizens. Please check with your GP or visit www.dh.gov.uk

Currency

The local currency in Belgium is the euro (€) – there are seven banknotes: €5, €10, €20, €50, €100, €200 and €500, and eight coins: 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 cent and €1 and €2. The notes are identical in all the countries with the euro currency although each country has their own coins. However, all notes and all coins can be used throughout the euro area (i.e. a French euro coin can be used in Germany). ATM’s (cash machines) are generally available in most tourist areas, but ask your British bank about withdrawal charges as these can be heavy, especially if you withdraw only a small amount of cash. Travellers’ cheques are still the safest way to carry money and can be obtained in sterling or euro denominations. Please note your passport is likely to be required when cashing travellers’ cheques. Remember to make a record of the cheque numbers and keep this record totally separate in case the cheques are lost. Credit cards are accepted at most hotels, restaurants and shops in the tourist areas. Remember to make a record of your credit card number and the emergency phone number for cancelling your card, should you lose it. If possible, take a mixture of cash and travellers’ cheques with you and remember not to carry all your credit cards, money, passport and travellers’ cheques when going out and about.

Local time

Belgium is on Central European Time so is 1 hour ahead of Great Britain.

Mechelen Tourist Office
Stadhuis, Grote Markt, B - 2800 Mechelen (0032 15-297-655)

Tourism Flanders-Brussels
Flanders House, 1a Cavendish Square, London W1G 0LD (0207 307 7738)

British Embassy
Avenue d'Auderghem 10, Oudergemlaan, 1040 Brussels (00 32) 2287 6211

Mobile phones

Connectivity is excellent throughout Belgium.

Driving

The minimum age for driving is 18 for cars and motorcycles, and 16 for mopeds. A UK valid full driving licence is acceptable and a Green Card is compulsory (ask your insurance company). Headlight beams have to be altered for driving on the right hand side of the road and it is compulsory to carry a fire extinguisher and first aid kit in your vehicle. In the event of a breakdown, a red warning triangle must be shown and emergency telephones are located at regular intervals along motorways. Children under 12 are not allowed to sit in the front seats of vehicles. Seat belts must be worn in the front and rear seats of the vehicle. Self-drive cars may be hired in major towns and resorts. The minimum age is 23 years and the person hiring the car must have held a valid full licence for at least one year (which will be required upon collection of the hire car).
Speed limits for cars : In town: 50 kph (31 mph). Outside built-up areas: 90 kph (55 mph). On motorways: 120 kph (75 mph). Minimum speed on motorways: 70 kph (45 mph).

Personal Safety - Belgium is generally a safe country, though please note the following:

• Leave all valuables, passports, tickets, credit cards and money etc in the hotel safe; only carry with you what you need for that day.
• Be aware of pickpockets, especially in tourist areas, on public transport, markets etc.
• When leaving a car, do not leave anything visible.
• If anything is stolen, please ensure you receive a police report.

For further detailed information on specific destinations, please visit the Foreign Office website.