ETIAS Belgium for British
ETIAS APPLICATIONBritish nationals visiting any of the Schengen area countries, including Belgium, will soon need to apply for the ETIAS visa waiver.
To enter the EU, UK nationals are eligible to get the electronic travel and information authorisation, ETIAS.
Note: ETIAS is not a visa, but a visa waiver.
Belgium Entry Requirements from the UK
UK citizens can still visit Belgium without a visa for short-term stays. Travellers must hold a passport valid for at least 3 months after their expected date of departure from the Schengen area. Their passport should not be older than 10 years.
These EU entry requirements also apply when ETIAS goes live. All British visitors should possess the ETIAS visa waiver as well as a passport valid for at least 3 months beyond the exit date.
The ETIAS for Belgium grants UK citizens a maximum stay of 90 days out of 180 days in the country. ETIAS is an authorisation for tourism, short-term study or business, and transit purposes in Belgian territory.
The ETIAS visa waiver has a validity of 3 years from the date of approval or until the passport used to apply expires. An approved ETIAS grants multiple entries to Belgium and the rest of the Schengen zone.
When will ETIAS be necessary to travel from the UK to Belgium?
The ETIAS is expected to launch in 2026 for all eligible citizens, including UK nationals. The visa waiver will become mandatory to travel from the UK to Belgium from the official launch date.
At present, UK travellers may still travel freely to Belgium if they have a valid passport.
How to apply for ETIAS Belgium?
British citizens can apply for the ETIAS Belgium entirely online from the comfort of their homes or from wherever they are in the world.
The application process takes a few minutes and consists in filling in the application form and paying for the ETIAS fee via credit or debit card.
UK applicants should provide the following details in their ETIAS online application form:
- Personal details, including full name, nationality, gender, date and place of birth
- Passport details, including number, issuing country, date of issuance and expiry
- Contact information, in particular their home address, phone number, and email address
Furthermore, travellers must answer a set of security questions.
The processing time of the ETIAS visa waiver is between 24 and 48 hours. Nevertheless, delays can happen, mainly if the application form contains errors or incomplete information. British passport holders are encouraged to apply online at least 72 hours before their trip to Belgium.
Note: To avoid delays, applicants should verify that their information is correct and up to date.
Travel to Belgium after Brexit
Despite Brexit, UK travellers are still free to travel to Belgium without the need for a visa, as long as they meet entry requirements and they do not spend more than 90 days every 6 months in the country.
The only extra requirement will be the ETIAS when it will becomes available.
However, citizens of the UK must be aware of a few changes when travelling to Belgium:
- The UK passport is no longer valid to enter Belgium through EU border gates
- UK travellers must have a valid passport to travel to Belgium, with at least 3 months validity remaining after the intended date of departure from the Schengen Area
- The UK passport must be less than 10 years old on the date of entry in Belgium
- UK citizens can no longer work freely in Belgium. They need to apply for a visa unless they conduct business for a short term of up to 90 days
- British passengers may be asked to show a return ticket and proof of sufficient funds for their stay in Belgium.
Belgium Information
Belgium is in Western Europe on the North Sea, bordering France, Germany, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands. The country has 2 main linguistic communities, Dutch and French, and a smaller German community.
Although tourism in Belgium is not as prominent as in other European states, the country usually welcomes over 9 million international visitors each year.
Travellers can visit the country’s capital city, Brussels, and other popular destinations like Bruges, Antwerp, or Ghent.
- Capital CityBrussels
- LanguageDutch, French, German
- CurrencyEuro
- Plug TypesTypes C and F
- Emerency Phone Number112
Recommended Insurances to Travel to Belgium
UK travellers who still have a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) may still use it when visiting Belgium until its expiry date. After this, they should apply for a UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC).
It is useful to note that both the EHIC and the GHIC do not replace travel insurance, which is also recommended when travelling to Belgium.
British Representation in Belgium
The UK has only one diplomatic mission in Belgium, the Embassy, located in the country’s capital city, Brussels.
British Embassy in Brussels
Brussels
Avenue d'Auderghem 10, 1040 Brussels, Belgium
Belgium Representation in the UK
Belgium has 7 representations in the UK, 1 embassy and 6 consulates.
The following are the locations:
Belgian Embassy in London
London
17 Grosvenor Crescent, London SW1X 7EE, United Kingdom
Belgian Honorary Consulate in Edinburgh
Edinburgh
c/o Experience Scotland Travel Services, 2, West Street, EH26 9DL Penicuik Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Belgian Honorary Consulate in Hull
Hull
Westwood House, Annie Med Lane, South Cave, HU15 2HG Kingston-upon-Hull, United Kingdom
Belgian Honorary Consulate in Jersey
Jersey
Gaspe House, 66 - 72 Esplanade, St. Helier, Jersey JE2 3QT, United Kingdom
Belgian Honorary Consulate in Manchester
Manchester
30 Severn Road, Culcheth, Warrington WA35EB, United Kingdom
Belgian Honorary Consulate in Newcastle upon Tyne
Newcastle
30, Cloth Market, Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE1 1EE, United Kingdom
Belgian Honorary Consulate in Southampton
Southampton
5 Benham Road, Southampton Science Park, Chilworth SO16 7QJ, United Kingdom
Most Important Airports in Belgium
UK travellers may reach Belgium via air, sea, or land. The country has several international airports, which have direct flights from many cities in the UK.
The following are the main international airports in Belgium:
Brussels Airport
Brussels/Zaventem
BRU
Brussels South Charleroi Airport
Charleroi
CRL
Antwerp International Airport
Antwerp/Deurne
ANR
Liège Airport
Liège
LGG
Ostend–Bruges International Airport
Bruges/Ostend
OST