ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW • POPULATION (2025 EST.): 11,758,603 • CAPITAL: Brussels • MAIN CITIES: Antwerp, Ghent, Bruges, Namur, Liège, Mechelen • VISA: Passport must have two blank pages and be valid for at least three months beyond exit
from the Schengen area — most airlines expect at least six months. ETIAS required. No visa required for stays of up to 90 days. Tourist tax of €3-5 pp., per night, taken by accommodations in Brussels, Bruges, Antwerp and Ghent • HEALTH: No vaccinations are required • CURRENCY: Euro (EUR). Major credit cards are widely accepted • TIPPING: Not expected, but rounding up checks is polite • TIME: GMT+1 • ELECTRICITY: 230 volts. Adapter required • DRIVING: On the right. An International Driving Permit is recommended • PUBLIC HOLIDAYS (2026): Jan 1; Apr 6; May 1, 14, 25; Jul 21; Aug 15; Nov 1, 11; Dec 25-26 • LANGUAGE: French, Dutch and German • RELIGION: Christian; Muslim • DIAL CODE: +32
GETTING THERE • MAJOR GATEWAYS: Brussels (BRU); • TYPICAL FLYING TIME: 7.5h+ from New York. 8h from Chicago. 9.5h from Atlanta. One layover: 12h+ from Los Angeles
NETHERLANDS Ostend Bruges Ghent Anderlecht Brussels BELGIUM Charleroi Liège