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 currency 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.
Travellers’ cheques are still the safest way to carry money and can be obtained in sterling or euro denominations.
Credit cards are accepted at most hotels, restaurants and shops in the tourist areas.
Remember to make a record of your credit card or travellers cheques numbers and the emergency phone number for cancelling your card or cheques, should you need to.

Local time

Belgium is one hour ahead of the UK.

Yprés Tourist Information Centre

Visitors Centre of Ieper and the Westhoek, Cloth Hall, Grote Markt 34 B-8900 Ieper (00 32 (0)57 23 92 20) toerisme@ieper.be www.ieper.be
Open: From 1st April until 30th September: on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. On Sundays and public holidays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
From 1st October till 31st March: on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. On Sundays and public holidays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Closed on Christmas Day and New Year's Day.

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

British Embassy
Avenue d’Auderghem 10, Oudergemlaan,  1040 Brussels (00 32) 2287 6211 
(00 32) 2287 6211
www.britishembassy.gov.uk/belgium

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.