Visiting Belgium
Belgium is in the Schengen area, and so are all its neighbours: France, Germany, Luxembourg and the Netherlands.
What you need, by passport
- US passportNo visa needed for up to 90 days in 180Cleared
- UK passportNo visa needed for up to 90 days in 180Cleared
- Irish passportNo visa or time limit as an EU citizenCleared
- Canadian passportNo visa needed for up to 90 days in 180Cleared
- Australian passportNo visa needed for up to 90 days in 180Cleared
- New Zealand passportNo visa needed for up to 90 days in 180Cleared
Quick answers
Do I need a visa to visit Belgium?
Not for a short visit on a US, UK, Canadian, Australian and New Zealand passport. You can stay up to 90 days in any 180 across the whole Schengen area. Irish citizens can live and work there with no time limit.
Is Belgium in the Schengen area?
Yes, since 26 March 1995. Time you spend in Belgium counts towards your 90 days in any 180, together with every other Schengen country.
Do I need ETIAS for Belgium?
Not yet. When it starts, you'll need to apply online for ETIAS before you travel. It will cost €20 (free if you're under 18 or over 70) and last 3 years or until your passport expires. There's no start date yet: the EU says it will announce it several months ahead. Until then, don't pay any website for it.
How long does my passport need to be valid for Belgium?
Your passport must have been issued less than 10 years before you arrive, and be valid for at least 3 months after the day you leave the Schengen area.
Good to know in Belgium
Report where you're staying. Staying with friends or family rather than in a hotel? You must report your address within 3 working days of arriving. You can do it online with the My Address in Belgium (MAB) form. Irish citizens have 10 working days.
Brussels tourist tax. Since 1 January 2026, accommodation in the Brussels region carries a tourist tax of €5 per room per night, or €4 for homestays and campsites. Check whether your booking price includes it.
Low-emission zones. Driving a car registered abroad? Register it online, free, before you enter the low-emission zones in Brussels, Antwerp or Ghent. Brussels needs its own registration. One for Ghent also covers Antwerp.
Checked 26 October 2026 against European Union, European Commission, Immigration Office, City of Brussels, Brussels-Capital Region and City of Ghent.
See the 20 official sources
- What is ETIAS (European Union (Travel to Europe))
- What you need to apply (ETIAS) (European Union (Travel to Europe))
- ETIAS frequently asked questions (European Union (Travel to Europe))
- ETIAS timeline explained (European Union (Travel to Europe))
- Who should apply (ETIAS) (European Union (Travel to Europe))
- How does the EES work? (European Union (Travel to Europe))
- What is the EES? (European Union (Travel to Europe))
- FAQs about EES (European Union (Travel to Europe))
- Smart Borders (European Commission (Migration and Home Affairs))
- Short-stay calculator (European Commission (Migration and Home Affairs))
- User manual for the short-stay Schengen calculator (European Commission)
- Travel documents for non-EU nationals (European Union (Your Europe))
- Travel documents for EU nationals (European Union (Your Europe))
- Residence rights when living abroad in the EU (European Union (Your Europe))
- Documents for minors travelling in the EU (European Union (Your Europe))
- My Address in Belgium (MAB) (Immigration Office (Belgium))
- Short stay (maximum 3 months): non-EU foreigner (City of Brussels)
- Tax on tourist accommodation establishments: higher rates from 1 January 2026 (Brussels-Capital Region (be.brussels))
- 5 LEZ tips for people visiting Ghent, Antwerp and Brussels (City of Ghent)
- Low emission zone (LEZ) (City of Brussels)