Euro (EUR) divided into 100 cents. Most credit cards are
accepted (Visa, American Express, Diners Club and Eurcard) as are
travellers cheques (though it is best to carry them in Euros, US
dollars or Pounds Sterling to avoid additional charges when
exchanging). ATMs are available in all major cities. Banks are open
Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm, and are closed on Saturdays, Sundays
and holidays. Some banks close for an hour during lunch. There are
however some foreign exchange offices that trade on
Sundays.
Currency Exchange Rates
EUR 1.00 =
rate 1.36
rate 0.68
rate 1.51
rate 1.66
rate 9.47
rate 1.00
rate 1.85
Note: These currency exchange rates are not updated daily and should be used as a guideline only.
Language:
The Flemish, in the north, speak Dutch (60% of the
population); the Walloons in the south speak French (40%). Brussels
is bilingual, the majority of citizens speaking French. In the east
there is a small German-speaking community. English is also
spoken.
Entry requirements for Americans:
US nationals must have a passport valid for at least three
months beyond period of stay. A visa is not required for stays of
up to three months.
Entry requirements for UK nationals:
UK nationals must possess a valid passport. A visa is not
required for stays of up to three months. British Overseas
Territories Citizens, and British Overseas Citizens require an
endorsement on their passports guaranteeing re-admittance to the UK
or the country that issued the passport.
Entry requirements for Canadians:
Canadians must have a passport valid for at least three months
beyond period of stay. A visa is not required for stays of up to
three months.
Entry requirements for Australians:
Australian nationals must have a passport valid for at least
three months beyond period of stay. A visa is not required for
stays of up to three months.
Entry requirements for South African:
South African nationals require a passport valid for at least
three months beyond intended period of stay. A visa is required.
Entry is entry is not permitted when holding aTemporary Passport
due to a new ruling by the Benelux countries on 1 May 2007.
Entry requirements for Irish nationals:
Irish nationals require a valid passport. No visa is required
for stays not exceeding three months.
Entry requirements for New Zeland nationals:
New Zealand nationals require a passport valid for at least the
period of intended stay. No visa is required for stays of up to
three months.
Passport/Visa Note:The borderless region known as the Schengen area
includes the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Denmark,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, The
Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain and Sweden. All these
countries issue a standard Schengen visa that, in principal, allows
the holder to travel freely within the borders of all. All visitors
require a passport that is valid for at least three months after
leaving Belgium. Nationals of non-EU countries are recommended to
hold return or onward tickets, sufficient funds and documents for
their next destination.
Embassy or Consulate in US:
Embassy of Belgium, Washington DC, United States: +1 202 333
6900.
Embassy or Consulate in UK:
Embassy of Belgium, London, United Kingdom: +44 (0)20 7470
3700.
Embassy or Consulate in Canada:
Embassy of Belgium, Ottawa, Canada: +1 613 236 7267.
Embassy or Consulate in Australia:
Embassy of Belgium, Canberra Tel: +61 (0)2 6273 2501.
Embassy or Consulate in South Africa:
Belgium Embassy, Pretoria, South Africa: +27 (0)12 440
3201/2.
US Embassy or Consulate:
Embassy of the United States of America, Brussels: +32 (0)2 508
2111.
UK Embassy or Consulate:
British Embassy, Brussels: +32 (0)2 287 6211.
Canadian Embassy or Consulate
Canadian Embassy, Brussels: +32 (0)2 741 0611.
Australian Embassy or Consulate:
Australian Embassy, Brussels: +32 (0)2 286 0500.
South African Embassy or Consulate:
South African Embassy, Brussels: +32 (0)2 285 4400.
Health:No vaccinations are required. Medical facilities and care
in Belgium are excellent but expensive so travellers are advised to
take out medical insurance. UK citizens receive emergency medical
care for a reduced cost, but should have a European Health
Insurance Card (EHIC), to qualify.
TippingService charges are included in bills and tipping is not
necessary, unless for exceptional service. Porters, coatroom and
bathroom attendants are generally tipped.
SafetyMost visits to Belgium are trouble-free, but travellers
should be wary of street crime in the cities, such as mugging and
pickpocketing, particularly in Brussels at major railway stations
and on public transport. Brussels is home to a number of
international organisations, including EU and NATO, which could
become the target of indiscriminate terrorist attacks.
Communications: The international access code for Belgium is +32.
The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g.
0044 for the United Kingdom). City codes are required for all calls
within Belgium; the area code for Brussels is (0)2. Mobile phones
operate on GSM and 3G networks. Public phones take coins or phone
cards. Internet cafes are widely available.
Duty Free:Travellers to Belgium arriving from non-EU countries are
allowed to enter the country with the following items without
incurring customs duty: 200 cigarettes, 100 cigarillos, 50 cigars
or 250g tobacco; 1 litre spirits over 22% in alcohol or 2 litres of
dessert wine 22% in alcohol and sparkling wine, and 2 litres wine;
50g perfume and 250ml eau de toilette; and other goods such as
souvenirs to the value of EUR175. Prohibited items include
unpreserved foodstuffs.
