Useful Facts/FAQs

1. Getting there

1.1 By plane: Brussels Airlines, BMI, CityJet, Ryanair and British Airways all provide regular flights from and to Belgium. Be sure to check where you are travelling to and from: Brussels International airport is the main airport, smaller airports are Brussels-Charleroi (Ryanair) and Antwerp Airport (CityJet).
1.2 By train: Travel with Eurostar from London, Ashford or Ebbsfleet to Brussels and transfer onto a local train to reach our other cities. Bruges, Antwerp, Mechelen, Leuven, Ghent or Ostend are all within quick and easy reach from BrusselsBy ferry : P&O, DFDS, LD Lines and Seafrance offer connections between Dover and Zeebrugge, Ostend or Dunkirque.

2. Visa requirements
UK nationals holding a full valid EU passport do not require a visa to enter Belgium provided that they have at least three months validity on their passport beyond the last day of their visit and on condition that their stay does not exceed three months, within any period of six months. Entry to Belgium will not be permitted without a valid passport.

For more information regarding visas please consult following website: www.vfs-be-uk.com

The Visa Application Centre is located 1-8 Bateman's Building, South Soho Square, London W1D 3EN.

Opening hours: Monday to Friday 08:00 to 12.00.
Tel: 0844 8159 839
Email: infobelgium@vfs-be-uk.com
For other services from the Embassy, please consult their website at: www.diplomatie.be/london

The Embassy of Belgium in London is located at 17 Grosvenor Crescent, London SW1X 7EE
Opening hours: Monday to Friday 09.00 to 01.00 pm. Tel: 020/7470 3700

Emails Information Department and general enquiries: london@diplobel.fed.be
Belgian Passports: london.passport@diplobel.fed.be
Nationality department: london.sconsul@diplobel.fed.be

3. Credit Cards & ATM
All major cards are accepted (i.e.: Visa, American Express, Diners Club and Eurocard) as well as Travellers’ Cheques. ATM machines are available in all major cities.
Banks are open Monday through Friday, 9:00am - 4:00pm and are closed on Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays. Some banks close for an hour during lunch.

4. Currency
Money can be changed in banks, at airports, at main railway stations and in exchange offices. The Belgian currency unit is the EURO (Euro) €. Euro notes are issued in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 euros. Coins come in denominations of 1 and 2 Euro, and 5, 10, 20, 50, 1 and 2 cent pieces. Many foreign exchange offices open on Sundays. Foreign exchange traffic is not regulated. There is no limit on the amount of foreign currency which may be brought in or out of the country.

5. Language
The official language in Flanders is Dutch (Flemish), Brussels is bi-lingual and English is widely spoken.

6. Official Bank Holidays
Shops, banks, post offices etc will generally be closed on these days:

2011
1 January, 24 April, 25 April, 1 May, 2 June, 12 June, 13 June, 11 July, 21 July, 15 August, 1 November, 11 November, 25 December

2012
1 January, 8 April, 9 April, 1 May, 17 May, 27 May, 28 May, 21 July, 15 August, 1 November, 11 November, 25 December

7. Tips, VAT and taxes
Tips are always included in restaurant, hotel and taxi prices. Of course, you are very welcome to add a little extra should you feel the service warrants an extra reward.
In restaurants, service charges and VAT are included in the price.