Best time to go to Belgium

It’s worth packing for all seasons when you visit Belgium – the country’s equally prone to spells of sun and rain, a little like the UK. You’ll get some shorts and T-shirt weather in the summer months, without needing to slather on heaps of suncream. Spring and autumn are a good time for city breaks to Belgium, as the weather’s a little milder and the visitor numbers aren’t quite at their peak. The temperature nose dives somewhat in winter, but it brings a charming feel to the cities when their festive markets start to pop up.

Passports and Visas

British citizens don’t need a visa to enter Belgium but must have a valid passport. You can check your passport’s valid for Belgium using our handy tool. For the most up-to-date passport and visa info, visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/belgium/entry-requirements.

Don't forget to arrange your travel money and insurance before you go.

Health and safety

You should take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance to cover you while you’re away. It’s also a good idea to get a European Health Insurance Card – or EHIC – before leaving the UK. You'll get a new UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) instead of an EHIC. You can apply at www.gov.uk/european-health-insurance-card. Visit www.nhs.uk/ehic for full details on what it covers. You do not need to apply for a GHIC if you already have an EHIC. Your EHIC remains valid in the EU until it expires. An EHIC or GHIC is free of charge. You’ll need to have both this card and adequate travel insurance. Though it’s not a substitute for travel insurance, it entitles you to emergency medical treatment on the same terms as Belgian nationals. It won’t, however, cover you for medical repatriation, ongoing medical treatment or non-urgent treatment. For the latest health and safety information, visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/belgium/health

Further Reading

  • Overview
  • Things To Do

    • Key Facts

    • Capital - Brussels
    • Language - Flemish Dutch, French, German
    • Timezone - GMT +1
    • Population - 11,480,000
    • Currency - EUR:Euro
    • Flight Time - 1 hour 15 minutes from Heathrow

    Travel Aware

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    Travel Aware – Staying Safe and Healthy Abroad
    The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and National Travel Health Network and Centre have up-to-date advice on staying safe and healthy abroad.

    See gov.uk/travelaware and follow @FCDOtravelGovUK on Twitter and Facebook.com/FCDOtravel – for the latest general FCDO travel advice, including coronavirus travel guidance, security and local laws, and passport and visa information.

    See gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice – for FCDO travel advice about individual destinations.

    Sign up for FCDO travel advice email alerts, so you automatically receive the latest travel advice updates and travel requirements for the destinations you want to know about.

    See Travel Aware page – for travel advice from First Choice.

    See travelhealthpro.org.uk – for current travel health news.

    The advice can change so check regularly for updates.

    Brussels