Safety and security

Terrorism

There is a global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks, including in Belgium, which could be against civilian targets, including locations frequented by tourists.

Following a shooting incident in Brussels in October 2023 that resulted in a number of fatalities, the Belgian Coordination Unit for Threat Analysis raised the general threat level for Belgium from Level 2 to Level 3 (of 4). This means that the risk of an attack is viewed as “serious”.

In March 2016, terrorist attacks occurred at Brussels Airport and the city’s metro system. A number of incidents attributed to terrorism have occurred in the years that followed.

If you are in Belgium, you should expect to see additional security measures and an increased police presence in public places. We advise all citizens to maintain an awareness of their surroundings, monitor local media for up-to-date information, and follow the instructions of local authorities. 

Crime

Crime remains relatively low in Belgium but you should take sensible precautions: 

• Don’t carry your credit card, travel tickets and money together - leave spare cash and valuables in a safe place 
• Don’t carry your passport unless absolutely necessary and leave a copy of your passport (and travel and insurance documents) with family or friends at home
• Avoid showing large sums of money in public and don’t use ATMs after dark, especially if you are alone. Check no one has followed you after conducting your business
• Keep a close eye on your personal belongings and hold on to them in public places such as internet cafes, train and bus stations
• Avoid dark and unlit streets and stairways, arrange to be picked up or dropped off as close to your hotel or apartment entrance as possible

Petty theft

As with any country, crimes such as mugging, bag-snatching and pickpocketing are not uncommon in Belgian cities and towns. You should always be vigilant at major railway stations, on the metro, buses and trams.

We advise Irish citizens to be particularly vigilant of your belongings following a noticeable increase in reports of theft in the following areas.

• Brussels South Station (Gare du Midi/Zuidstation), which is the Eurostar terminal and the terminus for buses from Charleroi Airport
• On board international trains (particularly the Brussels – Amsterdam route)
• European Quarter/Schuman area of Brussels (particularly in bars and cafes near Schuman Roundabout.  Place Jourdan, and in the vicinity of the European Parliament)

We also advise you to exercise caution in the following areas:

• Brussels North & Central Station
• On board the Brussels Metro
• Buses and trains serving Brussels Zaventem Airport
• Areas with a large density of tourists, such as the Grand Place in Brussels and surrounding areas.
• Public Squares in popular tourist destinations, such as Ghent and Bruges

Public Gatherings

Marches and demonstrations are common, particularly in Brussels, and often result in confrontation between demonstrators and police. We recommend that you avoid areas where large-scale demonstrations are taking place.

Always keep yourself informed of what is going on around you by monitoring local media and staying in contact with your hotel or tour organiser.

Reporting crime

If you’re a victim of a crime while in Belgium, report it to the local police immediately. You can contact us at the Irish Embassy in Brussels if you need help.

Local laws and customs

Remember, the local laws apply to you as a visitor and it is your responsibility to follow them. Be sensitive to local customs, traditions and practices as your behaviour may be seen as improper, hostile or even illegal.

Illegal drugs

Illegal drug use (no matter what the drug) carries stiff penalties, including fines and long prison terms.

Photo Identification

Visitors to Belgium must at all times be able to produce photo identification.

The Passport Card is available to all Irish citizens who hold a valid Irish Passport. It can be used for travel within the EU/EEA and Switzerland.

Travelling with Children

While there are no laws prohibiting the travel of a minor with only one parent or guardian, it should be noted that border control authorities pay particular attention to minors travelling under these circumstances. To avoid difficulties, we suggest that the accompanying parent carry a copy of the minor's birth certificate, a signed permission letter and passport/ID for the non-accompanying parent.

Health

Travel Insurance

We can’t pay for emergency medical repatriation, repatriation of remains, or for expenses as a result of a personal emergency while you are abroad. If you buy an appropriate travel insurance policy, these costs will be covered, provided you haven’t broken the terms and conditions.

Buying comprehensive travel insurance can save you and your family a lot of money if something goes wrong. It will also ensure that you get the medical attention you need, when you need it. Hospital bills can quickly run into thousands of euro, and a medical evacuation back to Ireland can cost thousands more.

Not all policies are the same, and the cheapest one might be cheap for a reason. Make sure your policy covers all the activities you plan to do on your trip. Insurance Ireland recommend that you purchase a policy that provides a minimum medical cover of €1 million.

Emergency expenses

Your policy should cover:

• All medical care abroad, including evacuation by air ambulance, or other emergency procedures, and any other costs associated with an unexpected longer stay.
• Your entire trip, from departure to return. Consider an annual multi-trip policy if you’re making more than one trip in the year.   
• 24-hour emergency service and assistance.
• Personal liability cover (in case you’re sued for causing injury or damaging property).
• Lost and stolen possessions.
• Cancellation and curtailment.
• Any extra activities you intend to do that are excluded from standard policies (e.g. water sport activities such as jet skiing or other extreme sports).

Exclusions: You should know most insurance policies will not cover drink or drug-related incidents.

European Health Insurance Card

As an Irish resident you are entitled to get healthcare through the public system in countries of the European Union (EU), European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland if you become ill or injured while on a temporary stay there. Ensure that you get or renew your EHIC (the new name for the E111) before you go, and remember, you need one for every person travelling in your group.

Apply for your EHIC and find out more information.

The EHIC is not a substitute for proper travel insurance provided by a reputable insurer. It doesn’t cover medical repatriation, ongoing medical treatment or treatment of a non-urgent nature. Also, some private hospitals may not accept the EHIC, so you should check with the hospital administrator beforehand.

Additional Information

Entry requirements

You need a passport or passport card to enter Belgium. While there is no minimum passport validity requirement, your passport or passport card must be valid for the duration of your stay.

Damaged Passports

Under no circumstances should you travel to Belgium using a passport that is damaged in any way (e.g. torn cover or visa pages, cracks on the identity page). The Embassy is aware of a number of cases of citizens being detained by Border Authorities for travelling using a damaged passport. If your passport is damaged, replace it via Passport Online prior to travel.

Lost /Stolen Passport

Please keep in mind emergency travel documents cannot be issued outside of office hours except in cases of a genuine emergency. You may need to arrange new flights and accommodation to allow you time to obtain a travel document on the next working day.

Detailed guidance on what to do if your passport is lost/stolen is available on our website.

Please note that once a passport is reported lost or stolen it cannot be used for travel, even if found. Travelling on a passport that has previously been reported lost or stolen may result in being detained and the seizure of your passport.

Staying for longer than three months

All EU citizens (including Irish citizens) who want to stay in Belgium for more than three months must register with the Belgian authorities to obtain a residence card.

Further information is available on our Living in Belgium page.

Driving

If you want to drive in Belgium:

• Bring your full Irish driving license and make sure you have adequate and appropriate insurance.
• Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is against the law and you risk being detained, fined or banned from driving if caught.
• Be aware that on-the-spot fines can be incurred for motoring offences. If you are unable to pay the fine, your vehicle may be impounded.
• Keep your vehicle doors locked and your bags kept out of sight to prevent opportunistic bag-snatching if you’re stopped at traffic lights.
• Be aware of low emissions zones prohibiting certain types of vehicles from specific urban areas. Further information is available on the Urban Access Regulations website where you can search by city.

More tips and driving advice for Belgium is available from AA Ireland.

Pedestrians

Pedestrians should be aware that ‘the green man’ signal does not mean that cars will automatically stop. Also, many of the zebra crossings are not accompanied by light systems. The custom is that the motorist should stop to allow any pedestrian cross at the zebra crossing as and when they choose to use the zebra crossing. Be careful in all cases and at all times as some motorists will be more vigilant than others.