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Citizens of European Union member states can enter Belgium by presenting a valid national identity card. No visa or prior authorisation is required. This also applies to citizens of Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland, which are not EU members but are part of the Schengen area.
Belgium is a European Union member state and part of the Schengen area, which significantly simplifies entry formalities for most European travellers. Before you travel, however, it is important to know exactly which documents to bring with you, as even within the Schengen area, authorities can request a valid identity document at any time. Proper preparation avoids inconvenient complications, especially if you are travelling with children or planning an extended stay.
Whether you are planning a visit to Brussels, exploring the medieval cities of Flanders or discovering the landscapes of Wallonia, this guide brings together all the necessary information on documents for entering Belgium, updated and verified, so that you can travel with complete peace of mind.
Citizens of European Union member states can enter Belgium by presenting a valid national identity card. No visa or prior authorisation is required. This also applies to citizens of Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland, which are not EU members but are part of the Schengen area.
Your identity card must be valid at the time of entry into the country. Belgian authorities and airline or railway carriers have the right to refuse boarding or entry if the document is expired, even by a single day. For this reason, we recommend checking the expiry date well in advance so you can renew it if necessary.
A passport is a valid alternative to an identity card for EU citizens who prefer to travel with this document. For citizens of certain non-EU countries that have signed specific agreements with the European Union, a passport is the mandatory document for entry into the Schengen area.
If you are flying from international airports to Brussels Airport or to Charleroi Airport, you should carry your passport as a precaution, particularly if your flight transits through non-Schengen countries, as your passport may be requested at the gate.
A common mistake is to overlook the expiry date of your document in the months leading up to your trip. Unlike some countries outside Europe, Belgium does not require your document to have a minimum residual validity (such as the standard six months), but it is essential that your document is not expired at the time of entry and throughout your entire stay.
If you are travelling with children, pay attention to the specific situation: children must have their own identity card or personal passport. It is not sufficient to be registered in an adult’s passport. If a child is travelling with only one parent or with people other than parents, some airlines and border authorities may request a declaration of consent from the other parent, preferably authenticated.
Citizens of countries not belonging to the European Union and not included on the list of visa-exempt countries must apply for a Schengen visa before departure. Since Belgium is part of the Schengen area, a Schengen visa issued by Belgian authorities allows you to travel freely in all countries that are parties to the agreement, and vice versa: a Schengen visa issued by another member state is also valid for entering Belgium.
The visa application should be submitted to the Belgian embassy or consulate in your country of residence. Documents typically required include a completed application form, a passport with adequate validity, accommodation documentation, proof of sufficient means of support and travel insurance with coverage of at least €30,000 valid throughout the Schengen area.
A standard Schengen visa authorises a stay of no more than 90 days within a 180-day period across Schengen states. Exceeding this limit constitutes a breach of immigration regulations with potentially serious consequences, including difficulty obtaining future visas. Anyone wishing to reside in Belgium for longer periods must apply for a specific residence permit, a procedure separate from a simple tourist visa.
Although not a mandatory document for entry into Belgium, the European Health Insurance Card — known as EHIC — is strongly recommended for all EU citizens. This card, issued free of charge by your health insurance provider, guarantees access to necessary medical care in Belgium on the same terms as Belgian citizens, that is, at the rates set by the local health system.
Without the EHIC, in the event of illness or injury, medical expenses could be entirely your responsibility. It is wise to carry it at all times during your trip, together with any supplementary travel insurance policy that covers, for example, medical repatriation or treatment at private facilities.
When travelling from another European Union country to Belgium, there are no systematic customs checks at internal borders, thanks to the single European market. However, there are indicative quantitative limits for products subject to excise duty, such as tobacco and alcohol, above which authorities may presume the goods are intended for resale and not personal use.
For travellers coming from non-EU countries, European Union customs regulations apply: goods with a value below €430 (if arriving by air or sea) or €300 (by other means of transport) are exempt from customs duties. Any amount of cash equal to or exceeding €10,000 must be declared to customs authorities on entry to and exit from the EU.
If you plan to hire a car in Belgium or travel with your own vehicle, a driving licence issued by an EU member state is valid without the need for translation or conversion, as it is a community document recognised throughout the EU. For non-EU citizens with a foreign driving licence, an international driving permit may be required alongside your national licence.
If you are driving your own vehicle, you must carry, in addition to your driving licence, the vehicle registration document and proof of motor insurance (the so-called green card, formally known as the International Motor Insurance Certificate). If the vehicle is not your own, it is advisable to have a letter of authorisation signed by the owner.
Children must have their own personal document: a valid identity card for travel abroad or passport. It is not possible to travel abroad with a child registered in an adult’s document. Identity cards for children are valid for three years until age three, and five years from age three to eighteen.
If a child is travelling accompanied by only one parent, relatives or other adults, whilst there is no uniform legal requirement at European level, many airlines and border authorities require — or at least recommend — a declaration of consent from the other parent, ideally authenticated by a notary or public authority. Preparing this document in advance avoids delays or unpleasant situations at the airport.
No. Your identity card must be valid. An expired document is not accepted by either airlines or Belgian border authorities, even for short stays.
No, EU citizens can enter Belgium with a valid national identity card. A passport is an alternative, not a requirement.
Processing times vary by local authority and can take up to 30-45 days during peak periods. It is advisable to request renewal at least two months before your departure date to avoid surprises.
Yes. A valid Schengen visa issued by any Schengen area member state allows entry into Belgium, within the duration limits specified by the visa itself.
Yes. To bring dogs, cats or ferrets to Belgium from an EU country, you need a European pet passport, which certifies mandatory vaccinations (particularly against rabies) and the presence of an identification microchip.
The two types of cover are not mutually exclusive. The EHIC guarantees access to the Belgian public health system, whilst private insurance may cover private contracted facilities, repatriation or other items not covered by the public system. Having both is the wisest approach.
Holders of a long-term residence permit issued in an EU country (EU long-term resident permit) can generally travel in the Schengen area for short stays. However, it is advisable to verify your specific situation with the competent authorities before you travel.
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