UK nationals holding a full valid EU passport do not require a visa to enter Belgium provided that they have at least three months validity on their passport beyond the last day of their visit and on condition that their stay does not exceed three months, within any period of six months. Entry to Belgium will not be permitted without a valid passport.

For more information regarding visas please consult following website: www.vfs-be-uk.com

The Visa Application Centre is located 1-8 Bateman's Building, South Soho Square, London W1D 3EN,
Opening hours: Monday to Friday 08:00 to 12.00.
Tel: 0844 8159 839
Email: infobelgium@vfs-be-uk.com

For other services from the Embassy, please consult their website at: www.diplomatie.be/london

The Embassy of Belgium in London is located at 17 Grosvenor Crescent, London SW1X 7EE
Opening hours: Monday to Friday 09.00 to 01.00 pm. Tel: 020/7470 3700

Emails

Information Department and general enquiries: london@diplobel.fed.be
Belgian Passports: london.passport@diplobel.fed.be
Nationality department: london.sconsul@diplobel.fed.be

Calling Belgium from the U.K.

Dial 00 + Country Code 32 + City Code:
Antwerp: 3
Bruges: 50
Brussels: 2
Ghent: 9
Leuven:16
Mechelen: 15
Ostend: 59

Banking Hours

Banks are open Monday through Friday, 9:00am - 4:00pm and are closed on Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays. Some banks close for an hour during lunch.

Credit Cards & ATM

All major cards are accepted (i.e.: Visa, American Express, Diners Club and Eurocard) as well as Travellers’ Cheques. ATM machines are available in all major cities.

Currency

Money can be changed in banks, at airports, at main railway stations and in exchange offices. The Belgian currency unit is the EURO (Euro) €. Euro notes are issued in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 euros. Coins come in denominations of 1 and 2 Euro, and 5, 10, 20, 50, 1 and 2 cent pieces. Many foreign exchange offices open on Sundays. Foreign exchange traffic is not regulated. There is no limit on the amount of foreign currency which may be brought in or out of the country.

Driving

The minimum age for driving is 18 for cars and motorcycles, and 16 for mopeds. A UK valid full driving licence is acceptable and a Green Card is compulsory (ask your insurance company).

Belgians drive on the right.

At junctions, cars coming from the right have priority unless shown otherwise; trams always have priority. Headlight beams have to be altered for driving on the right hand side of the road and it is compulsory to carry a fire extinguisher and first aid kit in your vehicle. In the event of a breakdown, a red warning triangle must be shown and emergency telephones are located at regular intervals along motorways.

Flanders has an excellent toll free motorway network.

Speed limits: 31mph (50km/h) in the city, 56mph (90km/h) outside the city, and 75mph (120km/h) on motorways.

Front and rear seat belts must be worn at all times. Children under 12 years of age are prohibited from sitting in the front seat.

Maximum blood alcohol level = 0.5g/l (1 glass of wine).

Parking

Generally, throughout Belgium, there is a charge for parking. Parking meters or ticket machines take Euros.

Some streets have "blue-zones" where parking is only allowed for a limited period of time and a parking disk has to be obtained and displayed.

Language

The official language in Flanders is Dutch (Flemish), Brussels is bi-lingual and English is widely spoken.

Shopping

Shops are open from Monday - Saturday 10am - 6pm. Most shops are closed on Sundays. Department stores often remain open longer, up to 21:00 on Fridays. Souvenir shops are open on Sundays during the tourist season. Bakeries and patisseries also open on Sunday mornings.

Electricity

AC.220 volts. Plugs are continental 2-pin round.

Official Bank Holidays

Shops, banks, post offices etc will generally be closed on these days:

2008

01 January, 23 March, 24 March, 01 May, 11 May, 12 May, 11 July, 21 July, 15 August, 01 November, 11 November, 25 December

2009

01 January, 12 April, 13 April, 01 May, 21 May, 31 May, 1 June, 11 July, 21 July, 15 August, 01 November, 11 November, 25 December

Health

It is advisable to have an European Health Insurance Card (EHIC available from UK Post Offices) in case of am medical emergency. Website: www.dh.gov.uk/travellers»

Tips, VAT & Taxes

Tips are always included in restaurant, hotel and taxi prices. Of course, you can add a little extra should you feel the service warrants an extra reward.
In restaurants, service charges and VAT included in the price.

Museums and Galleries

Many museums and galleries are closed on Mondays. Check their website to find out opening times.

Images

Some images supplied by Jasper James. For information see www.jasperjames.co.uk or contact info@jasperjames.co.uk