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Last update: 09/16/2023
Belgium reopened to international tourism on April 19, 2021. Now, travelers from the EU/Schengen Area, as well as vaccinated international travelers, can visit Belgium.
Belgium has implemented a color-coded system for countries, so entry requirements depend on the color country travelers come from as well as their vaccination status.
All travelers must complete a Passenger Locator Form within 6 months of arriving in Belgium. Travelers from green and orange areas do not have to get tested or quarantine on arrival in Belgium.
Is Belgium Open for Tourists? – Latest Belgium Travel Restrictions
Vaccinated travelers from EU/Schengen red areas and red countries on the white list are also exempt from getting tested or quarantined on arrival in Belgium. Unvaccinated international travelers from these countries must have proof of a negative PCR test result within 72 hours prior to arrival in Belgium. They do not have to quarantine, but they must get tested on the 7th day after their arrival.
Vaccinated travelers from all other red areas must get tested on the first or second day after they arrive in Belgium and quarantine until they receive a negative result from that test. They must also get tested again on the seventh day after their arrival.
Unvaccinated travelers from all other red areas must have a negative PCR test result within 72 hours prior to arrival in Belgium. They must then quarantine for 10 days from their arrival in Belgium and get tested on days 1 and 7 of their quarantine period. They will be able to end their quarantine period early if their day 7 test is negative.
Can I travel to Belgium right now?
You can travel to Belgium from many countries right now. Below is a map of all the countries that can visit Belgium at the moment.
BELGIUM - EN
- Belgium
- Green List
- Orange List
- Red List
Belgium has reopened borders to tourists from these countries
Green Countries and Areas
- Liechtenstein
- Malta
- All other EU/Schengen areas that are not listed below as orange or red areas
Orange Countries and Areas
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Red Countries and Areas in the EU/Schengen Area
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White List Countries and Areas with their Color Designations
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Belgium travel ban is in place for these countries
- All other third countries (countries that are not in the EU/Schengen Area) that are not on the white list
*Only EU citizens, residents of Belgium, fully vaccinated travelers, and travelers traveling for essential reasons can enter Belgium from these countries.
Belgium COVID-19 travel restrictions and entry requirements
Belgium’s entry requirements depend on your vaccination status and which color country you are traveling from.
All travelers must complete a Passenger Locator Form within 6 months of arriving in Belgium.
If you are traveling from a green or orange country, you do not have to get tested or quarantine to enter Belgium.
If you are traveling from a red area in the EU/Schengen Area or on the white list and are vaccinated, you are also exempt from testing and quarantining. You are also exempt if you have a COVID-19 recovery certificate (a positive PCR test result that is not older than 180 days and you no longer have to isolate).
Belgium COVID-19 travel restrictions and entry requirements
If you are an international traveler traveling from a red area in the EU/Schengen Area or on the white list and you are unvaccinated/do not have a recovery certificate, you must have proof of a negative PCR test result from within 72 hours prior to arrival in Belgium. You do not have to quarantine on arrival in Belgium, but you must get tested on the seventh day after your arrival.
If you are a Belgian resident traveling from a red area in the EU/Schengen Area or on the white list, and you are unvaccinated, do not have a recovery certificate, and do not have a negative PCR test result from within 72 hours prior to arrival in Belgium, you must get tested on the first or second day after your arrival in Belgium and quarantine until you receive a negative result. You must also undergo testing on the seventh day after your arrival.
International travelers can only enter Belgium from red areas outside the EU/Schengen Area that are not on the white list if they are EU citizens, residents of Belgium, fully vaccinated, or traveling for essential reasons.
If you are a vaccinated international traveler or Belgian resident coming from a red area outside the EU/Schengen Area that is not on the white list, you must get tested on the first or second day after you arrive in Belgium and quarantine until you receive a negative result from that test. You will then have to undergo testing on the seventh day after your arrival.
If you are an unvaccinated Belgian resident without a recovery certificate traveling from a red area outside the EU/Schengen Area that is not on the white list, you must quarantine for 10 days from your arrival in Belgium and get tested on day 1 or 7 of your quarantine period. If your day 7 test is negative, you will be allowed to end your quarantine early.
If you are an unvaccinated international traveler without a recovery certificate coming from a red area outside the EU/Schengen Area that is not on the white list and you are allowed to enter Belgium, you must have proof of a negative PCR test result from within 72 hours prior to arrival in Belgium and quarantine for 10 days from your arrival. You must also undergo testing on days 1 and 7 of your quarantine period. You will be able to end your quarantine early if your day 7 test is negative.
COVID-19 vaccine to travel to Belgium
Vaccinated travelers from red areas in the EU/Schengen Area or on the white list are exempt from testing and quarantining.
Vaccinated international travelers from red areas outside the EU/Schengen Area that are not on the white list will be allowed to enter Belgium for any reason, but they must get tested on the first or second day after their arrival and quarantine until they receive a negative result from that test. They will also have to get tested on the seventh day after their arrival.
Travelers with COVID-19 recovery certificates (a positive PCR test result that is no older than 180 days and you are no longer required to isolate) can follow the same entry requirements as vaccinated travelers.
COVID-19 vaccine to travel to Belgium
Vaccinated travelers must present proof of full vaccination. Belgium recognizes the following vaccines: Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, Janssen (Johnson & Johnson), and Covishield. Travelers are considered fully vaccinated if their vaccine is recognized by Belgium and they received their last vaccine dose at least 2 weeks prior.
Vaccination certificates from non-EU certificates are acceptable as long as the certificate is in Dutch, French, German, or English and contains the following information:
- Name, date of birth, and/or identification number of the vaccinated person
- Data that proves the vaccine is recognized by Belgium, all doses have been administered, and at least two weeks have elapsed since the final dose was received
- Brand name and name of the manufacturer or marketing authorization holder of each administered vaccine
- Injection date for each vaccine dose
- Name of the country where the vaccine was administered
- Issuer of the vaccination certificate with a signature, stamp, or a unique digital certificate identification code
More information on vaccine certificates can be found here.
Is PCR testing mandatory to travel to Belgium?
Travelers coming from green and orange areas and vaccinated travelers from red areas in the EU/Schengen Area or on the white list are exempt from testing.
Unvaccinated international travelers traveling from red areas in the EU/Schengen Area or on the white list must present evidence of a negative PCR test result from within 72 hours prior to arrival in Belgium and get tested on the seventh day after their arrival.
Unvaccinated Belgian residents traveling from red areas in the EU/Schengen Area or on the white list who do not have a negative PCR test result from within 72 hours prior to arrival in Belgium and vaccinated travelers coming from a red area outside the EU/Schengen Area that is not on the white list must get tested on the first or second day after their arrival in Belgium, quarantine until they receive a negative result, and get tested again on the seventh day after their arrival.
Unvaccinated Belgian residents coming from red areas outside the EU/Schengen Area that are not on the white list must undergo testing on day 1 or 7 of their 10-day quarantine period. If their day 7 test is negative, they will be able to end their quarantine early.
Unvaccinated international travelers coming from red areas outside the EU/Schengen Area that are not on the white list must provide proof of a negative PCR test result within 72 hours prior to arrival in Belgium. They must also get tested on days 1 and 7 of their 10-day quarantine period and can end their quarantine early if their day 7 test is negative.
Children under the age of 12 do not have to get tested.
Is there a mandatory quarantine upon arrival in Belgium?
Unvaccinated Belgian residents that are traveling from red areas in the EU/Schengen Area or on the white list and do not have a negative PCR test result from within 72 hours prior to arrival; vaccinated international travelers and Belgian residents coming from red areas outside the EU/Schengen Area that are not on the white list; and unvaccinated international travelers and Belgian residents traveling from red areas outside the EU/Schengen Area that are on the white list must quarantine on arrival in Belgium.
Is there a mandatory quarantine upon arrival in Belgium?
Unvaccinated Belgian residents that are traveling from red areas in the EU/Schengen Area or on the white list and do not have a negative PCR test result from within 72 hours prior to arrival; and vaccinated international travelers and Belgian residents coming from red areas outside the EU/Schengen Area that are not on the white list must get tested on the first or second day after they arrive in Belgium and quarantine until they receive a negative result from that test.
Unvaccinated international travelers and Belgian residents traveling from red areas outside the EU/Schengen Area that are on the white list must quarantine for 10 days from their arrival in Belgium. Belgian residents must get tested on days 1 or 7 of their quarantine period, and if their day 7 test is negative, they can end their quarantine early.
International travelers must undergo testing on days 1 and 7 of their quarantine period and are allowed to shorten their quarantine if they receive a negative result from their day 7 test.
Travelers from green and orange countries; vaccinated travelers from red areas in the EU/Schengen Area or on the whitelist; and unvaccinated international travelers from red areas in the EU/Schengen Area or on the white list are exempt from quarantining on arrival in Belgium.
Travel insurance with COVID-19 coverage to visit Belgium
You are not required to have travel insurance with COVID-19 coverage to enter Belgium. However, it is safest to at least have travel medical coverage when you travel abroad so you don’t have to pay any expensive medical fees.
Heymondo is the ideal choice for travel insurance with COVID-19 coverage, since their policies offer comprehensive coverage, especially for COVID-19 testing and treatment, for affordable prices. Even better, you can save 5% on Heymondo insurance just for being our reader.
Other travel restrictions for Belgium during COVID-19
Belgium has implemented a few other travel restrictions:
- All travelers must complete a Passenger Locator Form within 6 months of arriving in Belgium.
- Face masks are required on flights, in airports, on public transportation, at events, and in establishments where close-contact professions are carried out.
- Social distancing rules must be observed.
- You may need a tourist visa to visit Belgium. Check if you need one below.
What’s open in Belgium
Everything is open in Belgium right now, including hotels, restaurants and bars, attractions and tours, and airports. Certain cities, towns, and regions, such as Brussels, have imposed their own restrictions, so be sure to check the rules for the area(s) you will be visiting.
Hotels that are open in Belgium
There’s no need to worry about finding a place to stay because Belgian hotels and accommodations are open.
There are so many great places to stay in Belgium, but if we had to narrow our list down, these would be our top choices:
Hand sanitizer will be available for guests to sanitize their hands. Guests will be informed of all the regulations in place at their accommodation. Common areas will be regularly disinfected.
More information on hotel regulations is available here.
Attractions that are open and tours that are operating in Belgium
Anxious to see Brussels’ Grand Place and Manneken Pis? Excited to explore Bruges? Attractions in Belgium are open and tours are operating.
These are our favorite things you can currently do in Belgium:
- Brussels Atomium Admission Ticket
- Brussels Mini-Europe Admission Ticket
- Choco-Story Brussels Museum Entrance
- Antwerp: 2-Hour Bike Tour
- Ghent: 50-Minute Medieval Center Guided Boat Trip
- Bruges: Guided Rickshaw Tour
Hand sanitizer will be provided for visitors to sanitize their hands. Visitors will be informed of attraction and tour regulations when they visit. Indoor attractions will be well-ventilated.
More details on attraction and tour regulations can be found here.
Restaurants and bars that are open in Belgium
Restaurants and bars in Belgium are open, so you’ll definitely get the chance to try some famous Belgian beer.
Restaurants and bars that are open in Belgium
Restaurants and bars don’t have any restrictions on opening or closing hours, and both indoor and outdoor dining are allowed. Hand sanitizer will be available for customers to disinfect their hands.
Customers should wear masks when they are not sitting at their table or at the bar.
More information on restaurants’ regulations is available here.
Airports that are open in Belgium
Belgium’s international airports, Brussels, Brussels South Charleroi, Ostend Bruges, Antwerp, and Liege are all open.
Travelers must wear masks and keep a distance of at least 1.5 meters away from others. They should also wash/disinfect their hands frequently.
Where to get a PCR test in Belgium
Your country may require you to take a PCR test in order to fly back home. If you need to get a PCR test in Belgium, you can find more information on getting tested here.
Belgium reopening its borders to tourists – F.A.Q.
Check out these FAQs related to Belgium reopening for tourists and let us know if you have any other questions in the comments below.
Can I travel to Belgium right now?
Yes, you can travel to Belgium from EU/Schengen Area countries and from white list third countries. You can also travel to Belgium from any country if you are fully vaccinated and can provide proof of your vaccination status.
Is it safe to travel to Belgium during the COVID-19 pandemic?
There are currently 80,700+ active cases and 25,000+ deaths due to COVID-19 in Belgium as of today. The CDC classifies travel to Belgium as “Level 3 – High Risk.” If you have a pre-existing condition or any health condition that could increase your chances of serious illness, do not travel to Belgium. Additionally, if you are unvaccinated, you should reconsider traveling to Belgium.
Is there a travel ban in Belgium?
Yes, travelers from countries that are not on the white list for third countries can only enter Belgium if they are an EU citizen or Belgian resident, or if they are fully vaccinated or traveling for essential reasons.
Is quarantine required to visit Belgium?
Yes, unvaccinated Belgian residents that are traveling from red areas in the EU/Schengen Area or on the white list and do not have a negative PCR test result from within 72 hours prior to arrival; vaccinated international travelers and Belgian residents coming from red areas outside the EU/Schengen Area that are not on the white list; and unvaccinated international travelers and Belgian residents traveling from red areas outside the EU/Schengen Area that are on the white list must quarantine on arrival in Belgium.
Do you need a PCR COVID-19 test to travel to Belgium?
Yes, unvaccinated international travelers traveling from red areas in the EU/Schengen Area or on the white list; unvaccinated Belgian residents traveling from red areas in the EU/Schengen Area or on the white list; and unvaccinated international travelers coming from red areas outside the EU/Schengen Area that are not on the white list must present evidence of a negative PCR test result from within 72 hours prior to arrival in Belgium. Some travelers will also undergo testing after arrival in Belgium.
Is a curfew in place?
No, there is currently no curfew in Belgium.
Are there restrictions on intercity or interregional travel?
No, there are currently no restrictions on intercity or interregional travel.
Are hotels open in Belgium?
Yes, hotels in Belgium are open.
Are airports open in Belgium?
Yes, Belgium’s five international airports are all open.
Are restaurants and bars open in Belgium?
Yes, Belgium’s restaurants and bars are open.
Are attractions open in Belgium?
Yes, attractions are open in Belgium right now.
Is Belgium open to American tourists?
Since the US is not on the white list for third countries, American tourists can only visit Belgium if they are fully vaccinated, traveling for essential reasons, EU citizens, or residents of Belgium.
Is Belgium open to Canadian tourists?
Yes, since Canada is on the white list for third countries, Canadians can freely visit Belgium.
Sources
We will update this guide on Belgium reopening to tourism with any new developments. If you need more information on travel to Belgium, you can check these official sources:
- US Embassy Updates on COVID-19 in Belgium
- CDC Travel Recommendations for Belgium
- General Belgium Travel Advisory
- Current Entry Requirements for Belgium
- Countries’ Color Classifications
- Information on Recognized Vaccines and Certificates
- Passenger Locator Form
- Current Restrictions within Belgium
- Quarantine and Testing Exemptions
- Information on COVID Testing in Belgium
