Traveling Luck for Belgium. Belgium, Europe

Crime

Most visits to Belgium are trouble-free.  The incidence of crimes such as mugging, bag snatching and pick pocketing are comparable with the UK.  You should take normal, common sense precautions to avoid becoming a victim.

Take only the minimum amount of cash, credit cards and personal ID necessary when you go out.  As far as possible leave jewellery, other valuables and documents in a secure place (eg hotel safe deposit).  Avoid carrying money, bank/credit cards and your passport in the same bag or pocket.  For safety, leave a photocopy of your passport and itinerary with a contact in the UK.  Enter next-of-kin details into the back of your passport.

In the event of theft, contact the nearest police station and obtain a police report.  This report is mandatory when applying for a replacement passport or insurance claim.  If you have difficulty reporting the theft of your cards to your UK bank/credit card company, you can ask the Belgian group "Card Stop" to send a fax to your UK card company to block your card.  Alternatively, if you have Belgian issued bank/credit cards, Card Stop will be able to block them. Card Stop's telephone number is:  +32-(0)70/344 344.

You should be extra vigilant in Brussels and Antwerp at major railway stations, on the underground, buses and trams, particularly late at night. Thieves operate in the vicinity of the Brussels Gare du Midi/Zuidstation (Eurostar terminal), Gare du Nord and Schuman (the EU quarter).  Pickpockets also operate on international trains, mainly Paris-Brussels and Amsterdam-Brussels.  Never leave luggage or coats unattended.

Do not leave valuables such as purses, bags or mobile phones visible in your car, even when you are in it.  Keep car doors locked and windows secure at all times.  It is increasingly common for thieves, usually on motorbikes, to break a window and snatch valuables from the front or back passenger seat when the vehicle is stationary at traffic lights.  Car jacking, especially of up-market vehicles, remains a risk.

Political Situation

Belgium Country Profile.

Road Safety

Belgian roads are generally in good condition and at night are well lit, including the motorway network.  Traffic is fast and Belgium’s accident rate is high mainly due to speeding.

On 1 March 2004, the Belgian Government introduced a new law to improve road safety.  Speed traps, cameras and unmarked vehicles are operational throughout the country.  Fines have increased dramatically (eg up to € 2,750 for exceeding the speed limit by 40 kms/hr).  If you are unable to pay an on the spot fine your vehicles may be impounded.  More detailed information is available on: http://www.britishembassy.gov.uk/belgium.

Do not drink and drive, frequent alcohol checks are made, in daytime as well as at night.  A maximum of 0.22 mg/l (0.5 promille) is allowed.  A blood sample will be taken if you refuse to be breathalysed.  Fines are heavy depending on the degree of intoxication and range from € 1,100 to € 11,000.  In certain cases driving licences have been confiscated immediately.

You should also be aware of the ‘priority to the right’ rule: drivers must stop for traffic joining from the right, except on motorways, roundabouts, and roads sign-posted with an orange diamond within a white background.

Using a mobile 'phone while driving is not allowed and will incur a heavy fine.  The use of "hands free" equipment is allowed.

Trams have priority over other traffic.  If a tram or bus stops in the middle of the road to allow passengers off or on, you must stop.

There is a speed restriction of 30 kms/hr in school areas, which is valid 24 hours (even when schools are closed).  The start and finish of these zones are not always clearly marked.

You should carry your valid passport at all times, as Belgian law requires everyone to carry some form of identification.

Possession of drugs and trafficking in drugs are serious offences.

Holders of British passports, describing them as "British Citizens", do not require visas to enter Belgium.  The passport should be valid for at least six months.

If you intend to work or remain in Belgium for more than three months you must apply to the local communal authorities for a residence permit.

Single parents or other adults travelling alone with children should be aware that some countries require documentary evidence of parental responsibility before allowing lone parents to enter the country or, in some cases, before permitting the children to leave the country.  For further information on exactly what will be required at immigration please contact the Belgian Embassy in London.

We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling.  You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake.  Please see: Travel Insurance.

The Form E111 is no longer valid.  You should obtain a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) before leaving the UK.  The EHIC is not a substitute for medical and travel insurance, but entitles you to emergency medical treatment on the same terms as Belgian nationals.  You will not be covered for medical repatriation, on-going medical treatment or treatment of a non-urgent nature.  For more information about how to obtain the EHIC please see:  Europe and the EHIC.

The standard of health care in Belgium is high.

You should seek medical advice before travelling and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date.  For further information on health, check the Department of Health’s website at:  www.dh.gov.uk.

If things go wrong when overseas, please see: What We Can Do To Help

The revised EU-wide security measures that came into effect for all passengers departing from UK airports in November 2006 are also being implemented in Belgium.  For more details about this please see:  DfT - Airline Security Update.

Emergency numbers are 101 (for the police), 100 (for medical services), and 112 (from a mobile phone).

Information on the EU can be found at:  Travelling and Living in the EU (pdf) and Britain in the EU.