Belgium

🇧🇪

Phone Code

+32

Capital

Brussels

Population

11.6 Million

Native Name

België

Region

Europe

Western Europe

Timezone

Central European Time

UTC+01:00

On This Page

Money & CurrencyVisa OverviewVisa TypesImportant NotesTravel GuideCitiesEmbassies abroadEmbassies in country

Belgium is a Western European country and founding EU member, known for medieval towns, Renaissance architecture, headquarters of the European Union and NATO, and world-famous chocolate, beer, and waffles. Brussels, the de facto capital of the EU, features the Grand Place, Atomium, and European Parliament. Visitors are drawn to Bruges' canals, Ghent's medieval architecture, Antwerp's diamond district, WWI battlefields in Flanders, and the Ardennes forests. As a Schengen Area member, Belgium offers streamlined entry for international travelers.

Visa Requirements for Belgium

Belgium is part of the Schengen Area. EU/EEA/Swiss citizens can enter visa-free with only a valid ID card or passport for unlimited stays. Citizens of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and many other countries can enter visa-free for tourism or business stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period. Those requiring Schengen visas should apply through Belgian embassies or consulates, submitting completed application forms, passport photographs, travel itinerary, proof of accommodation, travel insurance (minimum €30,000 coverage), proof of financial means, and purpose-specific documents. Belgium processes Schengen visa applications following unified Schengen procedures. Processing typically takes 10-15 calendar days.

Common Visa Types

Visa-Free Entry (Schengen)

Up to 90 days within any 180-day period; applies to entire Schengen Area, not just Belgium.

For tourism, business, conferences, visiting friends/family for US, UK, Australia, Canada, and other eligible nationalities.

Schengen Visa (Type C)

Up to 90 days within 180-day period; valid for all Schengen countries; single, double, or multiple entry.

For short-term stays including tourism, business, cultural events, conferences for nationalities requiring Schengen visa.

National Visa (Type D)

Beyond 90 days; requires specific purpose documentation; leads to residence permit; Belgium-specific, not valid for other Schengen travel.

For long-term stays exceeding 90 days including work, study, family reunification, or residence in Belgium.

EU Blue Card

1-4 years; renewable; allows work in Belgium and travel within Schengen; spouse and family can accompany.

For highly qualified workers with job offers in Belgium meeting salary and qualification thresholds.

Important Travel Information

Passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond intended departure from Schengen Area, issued within last 10 years, with blank pages.

The 90/180 rule applies: max 90 days in any 180-day period across entire Schengen Area, not just Belgium.

Travel insurance with minimum €30,000 coverage required for Schengen visa applicants; recommended for all travelers.

Travel Overview

Belgium confounds expectations. One of Europe's smallest countries, it holds more UNESCO World Heritage sites per square kilometre than almost anywhere else on Earth — and earns every one: the Grand-Place in Brussels, the medieval canals of Bruges, the Flemish béguinages scattered across the countryside, and Saint Bavo's Cathedral in Ghent containing Jan van Eyck's Adoration of the Mystic Lamb. For UK, Australian, and Canadian travellers, Flanders carries particular emotional weight: the cemeteries and memorials of the Great War — Tyne Cot, the Menin Gate in Ypres with its nightly Last Post ceremony at 8pm, Passchendaele, Polygon Wood — draw families whose ancestors fought and fell here. Brussels operates simultaneously as Europe's political capital (EU Commission, European Parliament, NATO headquarters) and a genuinely cosmopolitan city with the highest restaurant quality per capita on the continent. Logistically, Belgium rewards the efficient traveller: Bruges, Ghent, Brussels, and Antwerp are all connected by train in under 90 minutes, and the Eurostar from London reaches Brussels in under two hours. Belgian food culture has two headline acts — chocolate (pralines invented here in 1912 by Jean Neuhaus) and beer (over 1,500 varieties, UNESCO intangible heritage, including Trappist ales available only at the abbey gate) — but the Michelin star density and the quality of everyday eating place Belgium among Europe's very best gastronomic destinations. Visit in late spring (April–June) or early autumn; the Christmas markets in Bruges and Brussels rank among Europe's finest.

Discover Belgium

Brussels operates simultaneously as Europe's political capital and a genuinely cosmopolitan small city of 1.2 million. The Grand-Place, which Victor Hugo called the most beautiful square in the world, is ringed by gilded baroque guildhalls and the late-Gothic Hôtel de Ville; on summer evenings the lighting is genuinely something. The European Quarter — Berlaymont, the European Parliament, the Council, the free Parlamentarium — is essential viewing for anyone interested in international affairs, and the Quartier Léopold restaurants double as the canteen of EU politics. Brussels is also the world capital of Art Nouveau: Victor Horta's town houses (Hôtel Tassel, Hôtel Solvay, Maison Horta) are UNESCO-listed, and the Horta Museum in his own house in Saint-Gilles is the best single introduction to the movement anywhere. Add the Magritte Museum, the Atomium left over from Expo 58, and a chocolate-and-praline geography that runs from Pierre Marcolini at Sablon to Mary near Galerie Saint-Hubert, and Brussels rewards a full three days easily.

Ways to Experience This Destination

Great War Pilgrimage

Flanders holds the world's densest concentration of First World War memorials outside France: Tyne Cot cemetery, the Menin Gate in Ypres with its nightly Last Post at 8pm, Langemark, Polygon Wood, Passchendaele. The In Flanders Fields Museum is among the finest war museums in Europe. Deeply significant for UK, Australian, Canadian, and New Zealand travellers.

Medieval Cities

Bruges, Ghent, Brussels, and Antwerp each offer a distinct character within easy train distance. Bruges is the best-preserved medieval city in northern Europe; Ghent hides the Van Eyck altarpiece; Brussels pairs Gothic grandeur with EU modernity; Antwerp is the global diamond capital and a serious fashion city with Rubens' House.

Beer & Food Culture

Over 1,500 beer varieties — Trappist ales (including the rare Westvleteren, sold only at the abbey), lambic, kriek, gueuze — form a UNESCO-recognised intangible heritage. Add chocolate pralines, waffles, moules-frites, and some of Europe's most impressive Michelin-starred cooking.

European Institutions

Brussels hosts the European Commission, European Parliament, Council of the EU, and NATO headquarters. The Parlamentarium offers a free, interactive museum on EU history. Essential for anyone in international affairs, diplomacy, or policy.

Ardennes & Nature

Southern Belgium's dense forests offer kayaking on the Ourthe and Lesse, the caves of Han-sur-Lesse, moorland hiking in the Hautes Fagnes, and Battle of the Bulge memorials at Bastogne. The small towns of Durbuy and La Roche-en-Ardenne are among Belgium's most atmospheric.

Money & Currency

Money & Currency
€

Euro (EUR)

Currency code: EUR

Practical Money Tips

Euro — One of Europe's Most Card-Friendly Countries

Belgium uses the Euro (EUR, €). No currency exchange is needed for travellers from the Eurozone. Belgium ranks among Europe's highest rates of cashless payments — Bancontact (the Belgian debit system) is the dominant payment method, accepted virtually everywhere. Major international cards (Visa, Mastercard, Amex) are widely accepted. The UK, US, Canadian, and Australian pound/dollar can be exchanged at banks or bureaux de change in cities.

ATMs Widespread — Bancontact and International Cards Both Work

ATMs are plentiful in all Belgian cities and tourist areas — Brussels, Bruges, Ghent, Antwerp, and Liège. BNP Paribas Fortis, ING, KBC, and Belfius are the major banks. International Visa and Mastercard work at virtually all ATMs. Withdrawals typically have no surcharge at Belgian bank ATMs (though your home bank may charge a foreign currency fee). In smaller villages, ATM coverage thins — but card acceptance remains high.

Contactless and Mobile Payments Very Widely Accepted

Contactless payments are standard across Belgium. Apple Pay and Google Pay are widely supported. The Belgian Payconiq by Bancontact app is the dominant local mobile payment solution, but international payment apps also work at most modern terminals. Some small artisan shops, friteries (chip shops), and waffle stands — especially in village markets — still operate cash-only.

Western European Prices — Bruges and Brussels Slightly Premium

Belgium is priced similarly to Germany and France. Mid-range restaurant meal: €15–35 per person. Belgian beer at a traditional café (estaminet): €3–6. Moules-frites in Bruges or Brussels: €20–30. Waffles from a stand: €2–5. Budget travellers can manage on €60–80/day (hostel, local food, public transport). Keep €20–30 in cash for small vendors, markets, and street food.

Note: Always check current exchange rates before traveling. Currency exchange is available at airports, banks, and authorized money changers.

Common Money Questions

Cities with missions

Where this country maintains embassies or consulates

Brussels
States & Regions in Belgium

Explore different regions and their cities.

Diplomatic Network

Belgium Embassies Worldwide

Hosted missions

Embassies in Belgium

These foreign embassies and consulates are based here. Choose a mission to open its in-depth guide and contact details.

Key origin countries

United Kingdom in Belgium
United States in Belgium

All countries by continent

Need help checking visa requirements or applying for your trip to Belgium?

Apply for Belgium visa