Belgium Travel Information

Belgium has introduced a number of measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus. 14 days quarantine has been introduced upon entry. For more information, see the section Health. According to Abbreviationfinder, BEL stands for Belgium in geography.

Safety

Belgian authorities are continuously assessing the danger of terrorist attacks and adapting their preparedness accordingly. As of July 2019, the threat level in Belgium is at level 2 (level 2 of 4), which means that any terrorist threat is considered unlikely.

Belgian authorities have mobilized the police and military to safeguard public safety. Today’s threat level includes, among other things, increased preparedness and increased use of security controls at strategic locations, including in public transport, at airports and railway stations as well as at shopping centers and religious gatherings.

It is recommended that, as a general rule, be aware of unusual activity, and that special care should be taken where there are larger crowds, be it shopping mall, subway, bus, etc. One should also follow the media image and follow everyone instructions given by the Belgian authorities.

You can find more information on the website of the Belgian crisis center and on their twitter account. For emergencies, telephone number 112 applies in Belgium.

The risk of being exposed to pocket theft, bag snatching, assault and robbery is somewhat greater in Belgium than in Norway. Travelers at the major train stations, in the underground and on buses and trams are particularly vulnerable to robbery. If you are the subject of theft, contact the nearest police station and request a police report. Such a report is necessary to obtain a new passport and in case of claims for compensation from insurance companies. There are more traffic accidents in Belgium than in Norway, and everyone traveling in traffic is encouraged to pay special attention.

  • Countryaah: Brussels is the capital of Belgium. Check to find information of population, geography, history, and economy about the capital city.

The embassy no longer registers Norwegian citizens residing in Belgium. However, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ voluntary travel registration can be used. This applies to both residents and travelers. It is to be noted that the embassy will only contact those who have registered in special situations, and in connection with crises of a larger format.

Major Landmarks in Belgium

Entry

A 14-day quarantine has been introduced when entering Belgium.

Starting at. On Friday, March 20, Belgium introduced stricter border controls against neighboring countries France, Germany, the Netherlands and Luxembourg. It is not allowed to cross these borders without a “valid reason” which in practice means relocation due to work or residence.

The airport of Zaventem is still open.

Please note that entry regulations may change. The Foreign Service is not responsible if the following information on entry regulations or visa requirements is changed at short notice. It is the responsibility of the traveler to ensure that travel documents are valid for entry and to familiarize themselves with the current entry rules for each country.

Belgium is a member of the Schengen cooperation and therefore Norwegians do not need a visa, but must have a valid passport for entry into the country.

It should be noted that there is a duty to ID in Belgium. For Norwegians, this means that you must have a valid Norwegian passport in order to travel in and out of Belgium. Belgian ID cards are valid as travel documents within the Schengen area for Belgian nationals, but not for nationals of other countries. This means that Norwegians must always carry a valid passport, even when traveling within the Schengen area.

If you wish to stay longer than three months, you must apply for a residence permit from the authorities in the municipality where you have settled. Resident Norwegians are issued Belgian ID cards by their municipal authority. The ID card should be worn at all times.

According to information on the Tax Agency’s website, you must report a move if you are to stay outside Norway for more than six months.

Information on valid travel documents can be found on the Belgian Immigration Authority’s (IBZ) website. Here you will find links to visa-free countries, and valid travel documents for both Norwegians and foreigners with legal residence in Norway.

Laissez Passport: Passport/Emergency Passport is recognized if it provides access to return without time limit. Travel document for refugees (green travel document) and travel document for persons staying on humanitarian grounds (blue travel document) are approved for entry into Belgium.

Health

Coronavirus (covid-19): Belgium has On March 13, a number of measures were introduced to prevent the spread. Among other things, schools, teaching places, restaurants are closed, and cultural and sporting events are canceled, regardless of size. This applies initially until 3 May. You can see the measures here (in French).

Belgium has per. On March 18, additional measures were introduced to prevent the spread of the virus. These measures impose strict restrictions on movement and commercial activity. You can see the measures here.

You can find more information and guidance from the Norwegian health authorities on the website of the Norwegian Institute of Public Health. See also UD’s answers to frequently asked questions about travel and coronavirus.

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Belgian health care is of a high standard. Travelers should obtain a European Health Insurance Card (replacing Form E-111). The health insurance card gives the right to emergency medical treatment in line with what the Belgians receive, but it does not cover home travel, ongoing medical treatment or non-emergency treatment. Travelers are therefore advised to take out their own travel and health insurance.

There are Scandinavian doctors, dentists, physiotherapists, psychologists and chiropractors in Brussels, which many Scandinavians find it convenient to use.

Practical information

According to allcitycodes, the area code for calls from Norway to Belgium is 00 32. There is no time difference between our two countries. There is an ID obligation in Belgium and one has to carry a valid ID at all times. For Norwegians, only a Norwegian passport is internationally recognized as an ID.

Currency unit: Euro
Current: 220 volt
Internet domain:.be

Banks: 9-16 (usually closed Saturdays). Shops: 9-18. Simple shops and banks close in the middle of the day (time varies)

National holidays are 1st New Year’s Day, 2nd Easter Sunday, May 1st, Christ’s Ascension, 2nd Pentecost, July 21 (National Day), August 15 (Maria Ascension), November 1 (All Saints’ Day), November 11 (Armistice 1918), 1st Christmas Day.

Emergency numbers: Ambulance/fire: 100. Police: 101. European emergency number: 112