Belgium:Visa Requirements

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Belgium Visa Requirements Map

Belgium: Visa Requirements

Visa requirements may change. Always verify the latest information through official government sources.

Visa-Free Entry Requirements

  • A traveler entering visa-free for a short stay must carry a travel document that is valid, recognized by Schengen states, and permits border crossing. The travel document must be valid for at least three months beyond the planned Schengen exit date and must have been issued within the last ten years. In a justified emergency, an exception to the three-month validity requirement may be applied.
  • A visa-free short stay may not exceed a total of 90 days within any 180-day period. The day of entry is counted as the first day of stay, and the day of exit as the last day. Periods spent under a valid residence permit or long-stay visa are not included in the short-stay calculation.
  • The traveler must be able to explain the purpose and conditions of their trip. Accommodation reservation or host information, travel itinerary, return or onward ticket to the next country, and documents showing admission to the destination country may be requested at border control. A single fixed format for these documents to be used for all visa-free travelers is not definitively specified in the central official source.
  • The traveler must have sufficient financial means for both their stay in Belgium and for the return or onward journey. If staying in a hotel, the general reference amount is at least 95 euros per person per day; if staying with friends or family, at least 45 euros per person per day. If the purpose of travel requires higher expenditure, financial sufficiency above these amounts may be required.
  • Financial sufficiency may be evidenced by cash, bank statements showing account transactions for at least the last three months, credit card and associated account statement, traveler's checks, employment certificate, or payslips.
  • If the traveler's personal financial resources are insufficient, an Annex 3bis financial responsibility document issued by a suitable guarantor in Belgium may be used. The guarantor must be a Belgian citizen or have the right of permanent residence in Belgium and must demonstrate sufficient personal income. Holders of limited-term A or H residence cards cannot be guarantors.
  • From 1 March 2026, the guarantor must have a net monthly income of at least 2,173.88 euros for one person. When taking responsibility for additional persons at the same time, the required income is increased by half of the reference amount for each new beneficiary. A specific exception may apply for unmarried children under 18 traveling with the main beneficiary at the same time.
  • The guarantor must issue a separate Annex 3bis document for each traveler; fill in sections A, B, and D of the form legibly and without alterations, and have their signature certified at the municipality of residence. An identity card or permanent residence document, family composition certificate, proof of relationship if necessary, and financial sufficiency documents must be submitted. For employees, income documents for the last three months, pension or unemployment income documents, bank statements for the last three months, or the previous year's tax certificate may be used. A self-employed guarantor must submit at least the most recent tax assessment.
  • The Annex 3bis document must be printed double-sided, unaltered, and be the original. The visa-exempt traveler must present the accepted original document at external border control within six months from the date of signature certification or delivery. The guarantor is responsible for the traveler's maintenance, accommodation, and repatriation costs for a period of two years.
  • There must be no record in the Schengen Information System for the purpose of refusing entry on the traveler's behalf. The traveler must not pose a threat to public order, internal security, public health, or the international relations of the Schengen states.
  • Entry and exit information of short-stay travelers may be recorded electronically under the EES. At border control, facial image and, if necessary, fingerprints may be taken. The traveler does not need to fill out a separate form in advance for the EES.
  • Third-country nationals staying at a short-stay private address in Belgium must report their location within three working days after entry. Those staying in a hotel, hospital, or penitentiary institution are exempt from this declaration. Travelers with an EES record may make the declaration online via the My Address in Belgium system. This declaration does not replace proof of identity, nationality, or legal residence.
  • The required number of blank pages in a passport for visa-free entry, whether the passport is biometric or machine-readable, acceptable level of damage, mandatory photograph, fixed total balance in a bank account, compulsory health insurance coverage for all travelers, or general vaccination certificate are not definitively specified in the central official source.

Consular Visa Application Requirements — Short-Stay Schengen Visa

  • A short-stay Schengen C visa may be used for a maximum of 90 days within any 180-day period for purposes such as tourism, family or friend visits, business trip, cultural or sporting event, short study, medical travel, and transit through the Schengen area.
  • The application must be made to the Belgian embassy or consulate responsible for the applicant's legal place of residence. It must be shown that Belgium is the sole or main destination of the trip. If traveling to more than one Schengen country, the longest stay or the main purpose of travel must be in Belgium. If Belgium is not the main destination, the application will not be accepted.
  • In some places where Belgium does not directly process visas, the application may be made through another Schengen state representing Belgium. In some regions, applications are accepted by officially authorized VFS Global or TLScontact application centers. Application centers are not authorized to decide on applications.
  • The application must be submitted at the earliest six months before the start of travel and, as a rule, no later than 15 days before. As appointment and processing times may be longer during peak periods, the application should be submitted earlier.
  • The application form is generally completed via the VisaOnWeb system. The completed form must be printed and hand-signed. The file is usually submitted in person by appointment. The local mission may provide additional instructions regarding electronic or paper submission of the form.
  • The passport or equivalent travel document must have been issued within the last ten years, be valid for at least three months beyond the planned last Schengen exit date, and contain at least two blank pages. One blank page is required for the visa sticker, the other for the border control stamp. The document must be recognized by the Schengen states. Special rules may apply to travel documents that are not recognized or are recognized only by some Schengen states.
  • The application file must contain a valid travel document, a completed and hand-signed application form, a photograph, proof of payment of the visa fee, and biometric data. The exact dimensions, background color, date of capture, file format, and other technical specifications of the photograph are not definitively specified in the central official source. The current photo instructions of the mission or authorized application center where the application is made must be followed.
  • For the first Schengen visa application, the applicant must appear in person and provide a photograph and fingerprints. Fingerprints are stored in the Visa Information System for 59 months and may be reused for subsequent applications within this period. If there is doubt about identity or if previous fingerprints are insufficient, fingerprints may be taken again.
  • Children under the age of twelve, persons from whom fingerprinting is physically impossible, and certain official delegation members are exempt from the fingerprint requirement. If the physical impediment is temporary, an explanation and, if necessary, a medical report may be requested. A new photograph may be taken or scanned for each new application.
  • The applicant may be required to provide a residence permit or other proof of legal residence in their country of legal residence. The type of document and the remaining required validity period are determined by the local checklist of the mission where the application is made.
  • The file must contain documents proving the purpose of travel. For tourist travel, hotel reservation, organized tour reservation and payment document, or for independent travel, a reliable travel itinerary and accommodation information are required. The obligation to purchase a definite and non-refundable transportation ticket at the time of application is not stated as a universal requirement in the central official source; the local checklist generally requests a transportation reservation.
  • For a family or friend visit, a personalized invitation, proof of relationship with the inviting person, and accommodation information must be provided. The invitation letter must clearly show the identity details of the inviting party and the visitor, the relationship between them, the purpose of the visit, the planned dates, the accommodation address, and who will cover the expenses. The inviting person's identity card, passport, or Belgian residence document may be requested according to the local checklist.
  • For a business trip, an invitation letter from the company in Belgium must be provided. The invitation must state the commercial or professional purpose of the visit and which party will cover travel and accommodation expenses. The applicant must prove the commercial connection between the companies, their position with their own employer, and the assignment given.
  • The applicant must demonstrate their accommodation through a hotel reservation, host declaration, or accommodation document provided as part of the invitation. The form of accommodation proof varies according to the purpose of travel and the local checklist.
  • For financial sufficiency, a reference of at least 95 euros per day for hotel stays and at least 45 euros per day for staying with a private individual is used. If the travel requires higher costs, the applicant may be asked to demonstrate greater resources.
  • Financial sufficiency may be evidenced by bank account statements for at least the last three months, credit card and associated account statement, traveler's checks, employment contract or employment certificate, and payslips for at least the last three months. If a large amount of money has been deposited into the account recently, the source of the funds may be requested.
  • The applicant must demonstrate their social, family, professional, or economic ties indicating their intention to return to their country of residence at the end of the trip. Employment certificate, leave letter, payslips, student certificate, company documents, regular income, family ties, property ownership, or records showing previous compliance with visa rules may be considered.
  • If personal financial resources are insufficient, an accepted Annex 3bis financial responsibility document may be used. The original document must be double-sided printed and unaltered; it must be submitted together with the guarantor's identity or permanent residence document, family composition, and financial sufficiency documents. The document must be used within six months from the date of signature certification or delivery.
  • The applicant must provide travel health insurance issued in their country of residence, valid throughout the Schengen area and for the entire duration of the planned stay or transit. The insurance must cover expenses arising from medical repatriation, emergency medical care, emergency hospital treatment, and death. The minimum coverage is 30,000 euros.
  • For a multiple-entry visa application, proof of valid insurance for the first planned trip must be provided. The applicant accepts the obligation to carry appropriate insurance for subsequent trips as well. An exception may apply to holders of diplomatic passports and certain groups whose professional insurance covers the same risks.
  • If the applicant is aged 12 or over, the short-stay visa fee is 90 euros; if between 6 and 11 years of age, 45 euros. Children under six do not pay a fee. Fee exemption or reduction may apply for education, scientific research, certain non-profit activities, and some family or official passport cases.
  • The fee may be collected in euros or in the local currency accepted at the place of application. The payment method is determined by the relevant mission or authorized application center. The application center may also charge a service fee. The visa fee is generally not refunded in case of rejection, withdrawal of the application, or non-execution of the travel.
  • Complete short-stay visa applications that can be assessed positively are usually processed within 15 days. If the file is sent to the Immigration Office or further examination is required, the assessment may extend to approximately 45 days. Workload, additional document requests, or mandatory institutional opinions may affect the processing time.
  • The visa may be issued for one, two, or multiple entries. The number of permitted entries is indicated on the visa sticker as "01", "02", or "MULT". The dates on which the visa can be used, the number of days permitted, and its territorial validity must be checked from the visa sticker. A visa with limited territorial validity may only be used in the states indicated on the sticker.
  • The issuance of a visa does not create an absolute right of entry to the country. Border officials may re-check the passport, visa, purpose of travel, accommodation, financial sufficiency, return conditions, and other entry requirements. If the conditions are not met, entry may be refused.
  • For minor applicants, the birth certificate, identity documents of the parents or legal guardians, custody document, and consent of the non-traveling parent may be required. The notarization, apostille, legalization, translation of the document, and which parents' signatures are required vary according to the local checklist of the mission where the application is made. There is no detailed child document list that is central and identical for all application places.
  • The submission of documents as originals or copies, translation language, notarization, apostille, or consular legalization requirements vary according to the country where the document was issued, the purpose of application, and the local checklist of the competent mission.
  • The Belgian authorities may request additional documents, explanations, or an interview during the assessment of the file. Documents sent spontaneously to an incomplete file may not always be taken into consideration.

Long-Stay D Visa

  • Persons wishing to stay in Belgium for longer than 90 days must apply for a national D visa appropriate to their purpose of travel. Different document and permit requirements apply for work, study, family reunification, research, internship, au pair, volunteering, and other residence purposes.
  • The application is generally made to the Belgian embassy or consulate responsible for the applicant's usual place of residence abroad. The method of submission, requirement for personal appearance, appointment, biometrics, and use of an authorized application center are determined by the relevant mission and the purpose of the visa.
  • The application form is mostly completed via VisaOnWeb. A valid passport or equivalent travel document, photograph, visa fee, documents explaining the purpose of travel, and, if required, proof of full payment of the Immigration Office contribution must be provided.
  • A single passport validity period, number of blank pages, photograph dimensions, photograph background, or digital file specifications applicable to all travel purposes for a D visa are not definitively specified in the central official source. These requirements must be verified from the current checklist of the chosen residence category and application location.
  • As a general rule, for an application for a stay longer than 90 days, a standard health certificate issued within the six months prior to the application must be submitted. The certificate must be issued by a doctor approved by the Belgian mission responsible for the application location. If a non-approved doctor is used, the doctor's signature may need to be certified by the local competent authority and then by the Belgian mission.
  • As a general rule, applicants who have reached the age of 18 must submit a criminal record or equivalent document showing no conviction for ordinary crimes, issued within the six months prior to the application. The document must be issued by the competent authority of the country of origin or previous residence. If the document cannot be provided or is older than six months, a justification may be requested.
  • In family reunification applications, official documents showing marriage, registered partnership, birth, custody, or other family ties; the sponsor's identity or residence document; proof of housing, health insurance, and sufficient income may be requested. The exact documents vary according to the sponsor's status and the type of family relationship.
  • In study applications, an acceptance or enrollment certificate, sufficient financial resources, health insurance, educational background, and, if necessary, documents relating to the study plan may be required. For student applications, personal appearance, fingerprints, and a questionnaire assessing the study plan may be applied.
  • In applications for work purposes, the work or single permit decision issued by the relevant regional authority, an employment contract, and category-specific documents are required. The fact that a work permit has been obtained does not alone mean that all D visa requirements are met.
  • In some D visa and residence applications, a separate Immigration Office contribution is paid. The contribution varies according to the purpose of the application, is calculated per person, and is updated each year on 1 January. The payment document must clearly show the amount paid, date of payment, identity of the applicant, and confirmation of the transfer. If no exemption exists and full payment proof is not provided, the application will not be examined. The contribution is not refunded in case of rejection or withdrawal of the application.
  • From 1 July 2026, the general D visa consular fee is 250 euros. Fee exemption may apply depending on the nature of the application, family relationship, agreements, or scholarship status. The payment method is determined by the relevant mission or application center, and the fee is generally not refunded.
  • A universal processing time for long-stay visas is not definitively specified in the central official source. The duration varies according to the purpose of application, completeness of the file, mandatory institutional opinions, and review by the Immigration Office.
  • The validity period of the D visa, the number of permitted entries, and the duration for which the visa can be used vary according to the legal basis of the application and the issued visa sticker. There is no single central duration applicable to all D visas.
  • The requirements for translation, apostille, legalization, or consular certification of official documents issued in foreign countries vary according to the country of issuance and the type of document. The current instructions of the relevant mission and the Belgian document legalization authorities must be followed.
  • The holder of a D visa must generally apply to the municipality of residence within eight days after arrival in Belgium. After an address check, the municipality issues the appropriate residence document.
  • A D visa also does not grant an absolute right of entry to the Schengen area. Border officials may check whether the residence and entry conditions are still met. If the conditions are no longer met or there is a risk of misuse of the procedure, entry may be refused.

Transit Visa Requirements

  • An airport transit visa type A only permits transit through the international transit zone of a Schengen airport. This visa does not grant entry to the Schengen area, passage through passport control, or leaving the airport's international transit section.
  • If the traveler needs to pass through border control to collect baggage, re-check in, change terminal or airport, spend the night outside the transit area, or continue to another Schengen country on a domestic flight, a type A transit visa is not sufficient. For such travel, a short-stay C visa may be required depending on the conditions.
  • Transit visa exemption may depend on certain valid Schengen visas or residence permits, certain visas or residence permits issued by some third countries, being a family member of a person enjoying the right of free movement, diplomatic passport, or specific flight crew status. The traveler's exemption should be checked individually based on travel document, residence status, and itinerary.
  • The application is made to the Belgian mission responsible for the applicant's legal place of residence or to a Schengen state representing Belgium. The form is generally completed via VisaOnWeb, and the application is submitted by appointment.
  • In a transit application, a valid travel document, completed and signed application form, photograph, proof of fee payment, and, where required, biometric data are provided. The right of entry to the final destination country, a valid visa or residence permit, and a confirmed onward flight reservation may also be requested according to the competent mission's checklist.
  • The type A transit visa fee is 90 euros for applicants aged 12 and over, and 45 euros for those aged 6 to 11. Children under six and certain exempt groups do not pay a fee. The payment method and accepted currency are determined by the mission or authorized application center. The fee is generally not refunded.
  • The required number of blank pages in a passport for a transit visa, dimensions and technical specifications of the photograph, bank statement period, amount of financial sufficiency, requirement and coverage of travel insurance, and standard processing time are not definitively specified in the central official source. The current and personalized checklist of the mission responsible for the applicant's place of residence must be applied.
Population
11,774,642(2026 est.)
Official language
Dutch, French, German
Government type
Federal parliamentary constitutional monarchy
Continent
Europe
Capital
Brussels
Currency
Euro
Area
30,688 km²
Phone code
+32

Belgium: Key Destinations

Brussels, Belgium's capital and principal gateway, hosts the headquarters of the European Union and a wealth of Art Nouveau architecture. Major cities such as Antwerp, Ghent, and Bruges are easily accessible, each offering distinct medieval charm and vibrant cultural scenes.

Belgium is renowned for its centuries-old brewing traditions, chocolate craftsmanship, and World War I memorials. The North Sea coast provides seaside resorts, while the Ardennes region attracts hikers and history enthusiasts with its forests and castles.

Travelers typically base themselves in Brussels and take short train journeys to Bruges for its canals, Ghent for its castle, and Antwerp for its diamond district. Regional high-speed trains also connect seamlessly to neighboring cities like Paris, Amsterdam, and Cologne.