What the governments of the United Kingdom, the United States and Canada tell their own citizens about travelling to Belgium, in their own words, plus practical help with packing.
Travel advice levels
Each government rates the risks for its own citizens, on its own scale. The levels are shown exactly as published; they are not equivalent to each other and are not combined here.
UK
United KingdomForeign, Commonwealth & Development Office
Does not advise against travel
No numbered levels
Updated 25 September 2026
Latest change, in the source's words:Addition of information about a public sector strike planned for 12 October ('Warnings and insurance' page).
The official source shows no update to this advice in over 12 months. Check the official page for the current version.
Trip Rulebook could not refresh this source since 30 September 2026. The official website may have newer advice.
Emergency numbers
From the section “Emergency services in Belgium” of the UK government's travel advice for Belgium, written for British travellers. Reproduced without changes to the wording; formatting adapted.
Telephone: 112 (ambulance, fire, police)
Download the 112 BE app, the official Belgian emergency app for ambulance, fire and police services. This allows you to contact emergency services directly and helps responders identify your location and personal details.
Local laws and customs
From the section “Laws and cultural differences” of the UK government's travel advice for Belgium, written for British travellers. Reproduced without changes to the wording; formatting adapted.
Personal ID
You must carry your passport with you at all times.
Laws on clothing
It is illegal to wear clothing that hides your face partially or completely (for example, the burka and niqab) in public places. You risk a fine of up to 137 euros and detention for up to 7 days. There is no exemption for tourists.
Illegal drugs
Possession, use, or trafficking of illegal drugs, including cannabis, are serious offences and can lead to a minimum 3-month prison sentence, long jail terms, or heavy fines. You should expect severe penalties even when transiting through the airport.
Airports in Belgium have excellent technology and security for detecting illegal items. This is also used to scan the baggage of transiting passengers.
Visiting battlefields
When visiting WW1 battlefields in north-west Belgium, stay on the footpaths and be cautious if you see anything that looks like shells or munitions. Unexploded shells have recently been uncovered. Move away from the site and report incidents to the police.
Travelling with medicines
From the section “Medication” of the UK government's travel advice for Belgium, written for British travellers. Reproduced without changes to the wording; formatting adapted.
The legal status and regulation of some medicines prescribed or bought in the UK can be different in other countries.
Practical suggestions from Trip Rulebook, based on open data and fixed rules. They are not safety or legal advice: rules on clothing, medicines and restricted items are covered only by the official text on this page.
Chargers and plugs
Plug typesCE
Voltage230/400 V
Frequency50 Hz
Plug and voltage data: Wikipedia, “Mains electricity by country”, CC BY-SA 4.0 (licence), retrieved 2026-09-29. Sockets in hotels can differ; the label on your charger (for example “INPUT 100–240V”) tells you which voltages it accepts.
Clothes for the weather
Rainfall Average temperature
January
Average
3 °C (38 °F)
Lows
1 °C (33 °F)
Highs
6 °C (42 °F)
Rain
79 mm (3.1 in)
Warm jacket or coat, jumper and long trousers.
Some rain on average: a compact umbrella.
February
Average
4 °C (39 °F)
Lows
0 °C (33 °F)
Highs
7 °C (45 °F)
Rain
68 mm (2.7 in)
Warm jacket or coat, jumper and long trousers.
Some rain on average: a compact umbrella.
March
Average
7 °C (44 °F)
Lows
3 °C (37 °F)
Highs
11 °C (51 °F)
Rain
64 mm (2.5 in)
Warm jacket or coat, jumper and long trousers.
Some rain on average: a compact umbrella.
April
Average
10 °C (50 °F)
Lows
5 °C (41 °F)
Highs
15 °C (59 °F)
Rain
51 mm (2.0 in)
Warm jacket or coat, jumper and long trousers.
Some rain on average: a compact umbrella.
May
Average
14 °C (56 °F)
Lows
8 °C (47 °F)
Highs
19 °C (65 °F)
Rain
68 mm (2.7 in)
Light jacket or fleece and long sleeves.
Some rain on average: a compact umbrella.
June
Average
17 °C (62 °F)
Lows
12 °C (53 °F)
Highs
22 °C (71 °F)
Rain
76 mm (3.0 in)
Light jacket or fleece and long sleeves.
Some rain on average: a compact umbrella.
July
Average
19 °C (65 °F)
Lows
14 °C (56 °F)
Highs
24 °C (75 °F)
Rain
83 mm (3.2 in)
Light clothes, with a light layer for the evenings.
Some rain on average: a compact umbrella.
August
Average
19 °C (65 °F)
Lows
13 °C (56 °F)
Highs
24 °C (75 °F)
Rain
80 mm (3.1 in)
Light clothes, with a light layer for the evenings.
Some rain on average: a compact umbrella.
September
Average
15 °C (59 °F)
Lows
10 °C (51 °F)
Highs
20 °C (68 °F)
Rain
71 mm (2.8 in)
Light jacket or fleece and long sleeves.
Some rain on average: a compact umbrella.
October
Average
11 °C (52 °F)
Lows
7 °C (45 °F)
Highs
15 °C (59 °F)
Rain
80 mm (3.2 in)
Light jacket or fleece and long sleeves.
Some rain on average: a compact umbrella.
November
Average
7 °C (44 °F)
Lows
4 °C (39 °F)
Highs
10 °C (49 °F)
Rain
84 mm (3.3 in)
Warm jacket or coat, jumper and long trousers.
Some rain on average: a compact umbrella.
December
Average
4 °C (40 °F)
Lows
2 °C (35 °F)
Highs
7 °C (45 °F)
Rain
94 mm (3.7 in)
Warm jacket or coat, jumper and long trousers.
Some rain on average: a compact umbrella.
National averages for 1991-2020. Coasts, mountains and regions can be very different, and any given year can be warmer, colder or wetter. Suggestions come from fixed rules based on these averages. Climate data: World Bank Climate Change Knowledge Portal, observed climate data (CRU TS), CRU TS (cru_ts4.09), Climatic Research Unit, University of East Anglia, CC BY 4.0 (licence).
What is acceptable to wear is a matter of local law and custom: read Local laws and customs.
Packing checklist
A general list for any trip. Ticks are not saved.
Entry requirements and visas
Visa and entry rules depend on your nationality and change often, so Trip Rulebook does not summarise them. Each government explains the rules for its own citizens. If you travel on another passport, check with the embassy or the official immigration website of Belgium.
This page is guidance, not legal advice. Laws and advice change without notice and are written for each government's own citizens, so they may apply to you differently. Confirm everything with the official source before you travel. Terms of use.