ETIAS for Belgium

For a country of its size, Belgium is packed full of things to do. Its historical cities such as Brussels, Bruges, and Antwerp are fascinating, there are stunning areas of countryside, and noone produces better beer or chocolate than the Belgians.

Belgium is situated at the crossroads of Western Europe. Germany lies to the East, France to the southwest, Luxembourg to the southeast, and Holland to the north. The population is 11.5 million and Brussels is the capital.

There are 3 official languages in Belgium: Dutch, French, and, German. French is mainly spoken in the south, and Dutch is predominant in the north. Brussels is a bilingual capital and is unofficially the capital of the European Union.

Because of its location, Belgium has an intriguing history and it has changed hands many times over the centuries. It was part of the Carolingian Empire, the Habsburg Empire, the Napoleonic Empire, and it was occupied by Germany during World Wars I and II.

Belgium was one of the founding members of the European Union along with Germany, Italy, France, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg.

Belgium has held a prominent role within the EU since its creation. There are currently 21 members of the European Parliament from Belgium.

Brussels is home to the official seats of the European Commission, the Council of the European Union, and the European Council in addition to a seat of the European Parliament. For this reason, Brussels is usually considered the de facto capital of the EU.

Belgium was also one of the original signatories of the Schengen Agreement in 1985, paving the way for the creation of a border-free European travel zone.

In recent years, authorities in Belgium have been involved in the development of a new visa waiver for the Schengen Area. ETIAS, which will be launched in 2026 , aims to prevent cross-border crime in Belgium and across the region.

Belgium is an increasingly popular destination within Europe. Eurostat figures show an 8.9% tourism growth in 2018 compared with the previous year.

Foreigners are attracted to Belgium by its charming architecture, picturesque towns, and scenic nature. Belgium’s setting in western Europe, close to other powerful European nations such as France and Germany, also makes it a favourable location for business activities.

The capital city, Brussels, is known to be a hub for European travel with rail, road, and air connections to major cities across the continent and beyond.

One reason for Belgium’s popularity amongst non-Europeans is the EU’s visa liberalisation policy which allows citizens from eligible countries to remain in the EU for up to 90 days without a visa. From 2026 , these foreign visitors can continue to enjoy visa-free privileges by applying for ETIAS.

Belgium is classed as having a ‘very high’ level of English by the EF English Proficiency Index which means that international travellers, reducing the language barrier for many overseas tourists.

IS HEALTH INSURANCE NEEDED FOR BELGIUM?

Citizens of other European countries heading to Belgium can access healthcare across Europe using their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).

For travellers from outside the EU, whether or not medical insurance is required depends on the type of document they are applying for.

MEDICAL INSURANCE FOR ETIAS BELGIUM

Passport holders from one of the countries that do not need a visa for Europe will soon need to register with ETIAS Belgium.

Just a few details are required to apply for the permit, health insurance is not one of the ETIAS requirements. Nevertheless, foreigners are recommended to take out cover in order to visit Belgium with greater peace of mind.

HEALTH INSURANCE FOR SCHENGEN VISA FOR BELGIUM

Non-EU travellers not eligible for ETIAS instead need to obtain a Schengen visa to enter Belgium.

Applicants must meet several criteria and provide certain documents including evidence of medical insurance. The policy must cover a minimum of €30,000 and be valid for the entire Schengen Area.

Visa applications will be rejected if all the required documents are not provided.

CROSSING BELGIUM BORDER CHECKPOINTS

Other EU citizens should simply carry their identification document with them when crossing a Schengen Area border. Europeans arriving in Belgium from one of the neighbouring nations can usually drive across the land border without being stopped at checkpoints.

People from several non-EU countries can currently cross an external border into Belgium using just a valid passport and remain for up to 90 days. Once ETIAS become mandatory, such travellers will also need to have an approved visa waiver attached electronically to their passport.

Visitors from other third countries are asked to present a number of documents at the external border:

All arrivals may face some questions at the border relating to the length of stay and reason for going to Belgium.

ARRIVING IN BELGIUM BY PLANE, CAR, AND TRAIN

Belgium is particularly well connected to the rest of Europe and other parts of the world thanks to its geographical location.

Brussels Airport (IATA: BRU, ICAO: EBBR), also known as Zaventem Airport is the country’s main international airport and very well connected to the capital by public transport and taxi. Brussels airport handled over 26 million passengers in 2019.

The wide availability of flights to major cities across the world means flying is a convenient option for getting to Belgium quickly. A direct flight from Paris to Brussels takes just under an hour.

Train travel is a good alternative to flying. High-speed trains link Brussels with Luxembourg, Strasbourg (France) and Basel (Switzerland). Eurostar takes passengers from Brussels to London in just over 2 hours.

The absence of internal borders in the Schengen zone makes it possible to drive over land borders without being stopped at checkpoints. Non-EU nationals should ensure they have their passport and ETIAS or visa with them.

Belgium’s capital city, Brussels, is a vibrant urban centre which combines post-modern architecture with historical monuments.

There are a number of UNESCO world heritage sites in and around Brussels including the Grand Place which is surrounded by guild houses and the Gothic town hall. St Gudula Cathedral and the Royal Palace are also particularly impressive.

Bruges is arguably Belgium’s most popular destination for tourists. It is known as the ‘Venice of the north’ because of its iconic canals and romantic ambience. Bruges was one of Europe’s richest cities in the 14th century and the historic old town was mainly built during this period.

Antwerp is Belgium’s second-largest city and it is known for its historically-rich diamond district and the enormous Gothic Cathedral of Our Lady.

Belgium has produced a number of world-famous artists including René Magritte, Paul Delvaux, and James Ensor. Brussels has dozens of museums, including the Royal Museum of Fine Arts. In addition, the recently renovated Koninklijk Voor Schone Kunsten Museum in Antwerp is an unmissable attraction.

For tourists with a sense of adventure, there is the Ardennes with its stunning range of forests, caves, and cliffs. The region is home to lynx, deer, and wild boar and is perfect for hiking and cycling. There are also a host of idyllic villages as well as the castle of Bouillon and the Labyrinth of Barvaux to visit.

The country is famous for its selection of world-class beers, as well as chocolate, mussels, and waffles. However, Belgian cuisine is far more rich and diverse and has similarities with French and German gastronomy.