If you are thinking of traveling to Belgium, it is important that you first know the documents required for each situation. In this article, we give you information about the procedures that must be followed to enter the country and we indicate if you need a visa. In addition, we give you some recommendations.
Below you have an index with all the points that we are going to deal with in this article.
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Required Documentation
In order to enter Belgium, you must have certain documents that vary depending on your nationality and the purpose of your trip.
DNI and residence card
People who are from a country that belongs to the European Union, in addition to Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein, they only need your National Identity Document or DNI to enter Belgium. Therefore, Spaniards can enter the country without a passport.
If you are not sure which countries are part of the European Union, you can find this information in the following article: The Schengen area and the Member States of the European Union.
Similarly, foreigners who have a residence permit or a long-term visa in one of the member countries of the Schengen area They can travel as tourists to Belgium with their passport, without having to acquire a visa, although other documentation may be requested as justification of economic solvency.
Passport Number
On the other hand, there are a considerable number of countries whose citizens are visa-exempt to visit Belgium, they only need their passport as long as they travel as tourists for a maximum of 90 days within a 180 day period. They are these territories:
- A: Albania, Andorra, Argentina, Australia
- B: Bahamas, Barbados, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei
- C: Canada, Chile, Vatican City, Colombia, South Korea, Costa Rica
- D: Dominican
- E: El Salvador, United Arab Emirates, United States
- G: Grenada, Guatemala
- H: Honduras, Hong Kong
- I: Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Solomon Islands, Israel
- J: Japan
- K: Kiribati
- M: Macao, Malaysia, Mexico, Micronesia, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro
- N: Nauru, Nicaragua, New Zealand
- P: Palau, Panama, Paraguay, Peru
- S: Samoa, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Marino, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saint Lucia, Serbia, Seychelles, Singapore
- T: Taiwan, East Timor, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu
- U: Uruguay
- V: Vanuatu, Venezuela
Travelers from these countries must have a passport valid for a minimum of three months after the departure date, the hotel reservation or invitation letter, and the return ticket. In addition, it is possible to request that certain economic solvency be demonstrated.
Visa
People from countries that have not been named in the previous section do need a visa to travel to Belgium. Among these territories we find Ecuador, Bolivia and the Dominican Republic. To be able to travel up to 90 days as tourists, you must request a Schengen visa, for which these papers must be presented at the embassy or consulate:
- Application form filled out and signed.
- Two passport-size photos with a maximum age of three months and in which glasses or hat are not worn.
- Passport with a minimum validity of six months after the trip and a photocopy of it.
- Letter in which the reasons for the trip are explained.
- Hotel reservation or invitation letter from a family member or friend.
- Round-trip ticket
- Justification of economic solvency: work certificate, cash, current account statement, etc.
- Travel insurance with a minimum coverage of € 30.000.
On the other hand, to stay more than 90 days and be able to work or study, it is necessary to request a long stay visa or type D. This has a price of € 180, to which must be added the contribution to administrative expenses, which varies between € 60 and € 350. Likewise, in order to work, the Belgian company that wants to hire the person must apply for a type B work permit.
If what you want is to marry a Belgian person, you must apply for a type C visa. The documentation to present includes the single status certificate, the police record certificate and the medical certificate, among other documents.
Travel with dog
If you want to go to Belgium with your dog and you come from another country of the European Union, the documentation that must be presented is the following:
- European pet passport
- Microchip
- Certificate of vaccination against rabies
If the dog travels from a country that does not belong to the European Union, it must have an individual certificate, as well as obtain information from the veterinarian, as the requirements vary depending on the country in which the animal lives.
Helpful tips
As indicated by the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, in recent years Belgium has suffered several terrorist attacks. Therefore, there is a certain risk of an attack in the country. In relation to this, it is recommended to always carry documentation and follow the instructions of the country's authorities.
In terms of crime, it is a fairly safe country. However, it is advisable to keep an eye on personal belongings in public transport and in areas with large crowds of people.
Europeans who carry the European health card will be able to go to the doctor for free. However, they may have to pay a certain amount of money at the time that, after the trip and after presenting the relevant invoices, will be reimbursed. People from other countries are advised to purchase health insurance.
On the other hand, there is no compulsory vaccination to enter Belgium. However, it is advisable to have the following vaccination the day:
- Tetanus-diphtheria
- MMR (measles, rubella and mumps)
- Hepatitis A
Questions from users
What is the best time to travel to Belgium?
In winter it is quite cold, although Christmas is one of the most beautiful times to get to know the country. However, the best date is spring, between April and June, when the weather is mild and there are not as many tourists as in summer.
Is Belgium a good option to travel with children? And with a baby?
Yes, it is recommended for both children and adolescents, as there are destinations and activities for all tastes. As for traveling with a baby, there is no additional problem, you just have to take into account the weather.
Is it advisable to move around Belgium by motorhome?
Yes, it can be a good idea, because near the main tourist cities you can find motorhome areas where you can park and spend the night. In this way, you can travel to Belgium on your own without having to hire accommodation or ride public transport or rent a car.
Is it safe to travel to Belgium now?
Due to terrorism, there is a certain security alert in the country. However, it is comparable to that of other European countries, so the risk is not high.
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