+/- 0 h

Brussels

Official language

Dutch, French and German

Language capabilities

English

230 volts; an adapter is required for three-pin Swiss plugs

Banks
9 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday to Friday. Some banks may also open on Saturday mornings, although this is less common.

Shops
9/10 a.m.-6/7 p.m., Monday to Saturday. Some larger shopping centres may have longer opening hours and also open on Sundays. Opening hours may vary in smaller towns and rural areas, and some shops may close briefly at lunchtime.

• 1 January: New Year’s Day (Nieuwjaar)

• Easter Monday: Paasmaandag

• 1 May: Labour Day (Dag van de Arbeid)

• Variable date in May: Ascension Day (O.L.H. Hemelvaart)

• Variable date in May or June: Whit Monday (Pinkstermaandag)

• 21 July: National Day (Nationale feestdag)

• 15 August: Assumption Day (O.L.V. Hemelvaart)

• 1 November: All Saints’ Day

• 11 November: Armistice Day (Wapenstilstand)

• 25 December: Christmas Day (Kerstmis)

Belgium is part of the Schengen Area. The following information applies to Swiss citizens resident in Switzerland.

The following documents are required to enter Belgium:

• A valid Swiss identity card or a valid Swiss passport

• No visa is required.

• A travel authorisation is recommended for minors travelling alone, with only one parent or without their parents.

Coastal region

• Summer, June to August: average temperatures range from 18°C to 22°C. Maximum temperatures may reach 25°C or higher.

• Winter, December to February: average temperatures range from 2°C to 6°C. There may, however, be milder periods when temperatures rise above 10°C.

• Spring / autumn: average temperatures range from 8°C to 15°C.

Inland areas, including cities such as Brussels

• Summer: average temperatures range from 20°C to 24°C. Maximum temperatures may reach 30°C in July and August.

• Winter: average temperatures range from 0°C to 5°C. Frost and snow are possible, although snowfall is often light and short-lived.

• Spring / autumn: average temperatures range from 5°C to 15°C.

The Ardennes, an upland region in the south-east

• Summer: average temperatures range from 15°C to 20°C. Maximum temperatures may reach 25°C, but the nights are often cool.

• Winter: average temperatures range from -2°C to 3°C. The Ardennes generally receive more snow than other parts of Belgium.

• Spring / autumn: average temperatures range from 5°C to 12°C.

The ideal time to visit Belgium

• Beach holidays: June-August

• City breaks: May-September

• Winter holidays: December-February for winter sports in the Ardennes. Christmas markets in various cities also make winter an attractive time to visit.

• Mobile phone use: using a mobile phone in Belgium may incur roaming charges. It is advisable to check the charges before travelling and, if necessary, purchase a special roaming package to reduce costs.

• Wi-Fi: free Wi-Fi is now available in many hotels, restaurants, cafés and public areas. Public hotspots are available in larger cities such as Brussels, Antwerp and Ghent, and many municipalities provide free Wi-Fi in central areas.

• Prepaid SIM cards: these are readily available in Belgium and can be purchased in many shops, supermarkets and tobacconists. They allow travellers to use local rates for calls, text messages and mobile internet. The main mobile network providers are Proximus, Orange and BASE.

• Grand-Place, Brussels: an impressive historic market square surrounded by magnificent buildings, including the Town Hall and the Maison du Roi.

• Atomium, Brussels: an iconic city landmark representing an enlarged iron crystal and offering impressive views.

• Historic centre of Bruges: a well-preserved medieval centre and UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its picturesque canals, historic buildings and charming squares.

• Antwerp Central Station: one of the world’s most beautiful railway stations, known for its impressive architecture and glass domes.

• Gravensteen, Ghent: a well-preserved medieval castle offering an insight into the region’s history.

• Brussels Cathedral: the Cathedral of St Michael and St Gudula is a magnificent Gothic building in the heart of Brussels.

• Mini-Europe, Brussels: a miniature park presenting Europe’s most famous attractions at a scale of 1:25, including miniature models of Belgian landmarks.

• Waterloo, Brabant: the site of the famous Battle of Waterloo, where Napoleon was defeated in 1815. A museum and monuments commemorate this historic event.

• Hôtel de Ville, Liège: an impressive Renaissance-style town hall considered one of the most beautiful in Europe.

• Cinquantenaire Park, Brussels: a large park known for its imposing triumphal arch and automobile museum.

• Gravenhof Castle, Diest: a magnificent 16th-century castle surrounded by a picturesque park and regularly used for events.

• St Bavo’s Cathedral, Ghent: an imposing Gothic cathedral known for its elaborate stained-glass windows and paintings, including the famous Ghent Altarpiece.

• Belœil Castle, Belœil: an elegant 18th-century-style castle surrounded by beautiful gardens and ponds.

• Dinant, Wallonia: a picturesque town on the River Meuse, known for its distinctive church beneath a rocky cliff and for the Citadel of Dinant.

• Durbuy, the Ardennes: a charming town in the Ardennes, regarded as one of the smallest cities in the world and known for its medieval atmosphere and picturesque lanes.

Belgian cuisine is varied and rich in flavour. Visitors can enjoy a wide selection of delicious food and drink that reflects the local culture. Here is a brief overview of Belgium’s culinary highlights:

• Belgian beer: Belgium is known worldwide for its diverse range of beers, including Trappist beers, lambics, abbey ales and pilsners. Each region produces its own varieties, and beer is an important part of Belgian culture.

• Chips: Belgian chips are famous for their crisp texture and are often served with sauces such as mayonnaise, ketchup or Andalouse sauce. They are a popular street-food snack.

• Moules-frites: this classic Belgian speciality consists of mussels cooked in a savoury broth and served with chips. Bread is often provided to soak up the broth.

• Waffles: Belgian waffles are known worldwide and come in two main varieties: the crisp, rectangular Brussels waffle and the denser, sweeter Liège waffle. They are often served with toppings such as chocolate sauce, fruit or cream.

• Chocolate: Belgian chocolate is of outstanding quality and is known worldwide for its variety and refinement. Belgium has a long chocolate-making tradition, and chocolate shops can be found in every city.

• Moules à la bière: a variation of moules-frites in which mussels are steamed in beer, often with onions, garlic and herbs for additional flavour.

• Carbonade flamande: a traditional Flemish dish made with beef, onions and beer, often served with potatoes or chips.

• Speculoos: crisp, spiced biscuits often served with coffee or tea and also used as an ingredient in various desserts.

• Belgian endive: a popular vegetable in Belgium, often used in salads or baked with ham and cheese.

• Greetings: it is customary to shake hands and introduce yourself briefly. A friendly “Salut” or “Bonjour” in French, or “Hallo”, “Aangenaam” or “Goedendag” in Dutch, followed by a little small talk, is appropriate.

• Saying please and thank you: politeness is important in Belgium. It is therefore appropriate to say “s’il vous plaît” and “merci” in French or “alstublieft” and “dank u” in Dutch.

• Clothing: dress codes vary depending on the occasion. In cities such as Brussels and Antwerp, people often dress more smartly in restaurants and bars, while casual clothing is acceptable in rural areas and for informal occasions.

• Dining culture: Belgians take their time over meals and enjoy eating in company. It is customary to talk during the meal and enjoy the moment. When visiting Belgium, try local specialities such as chips, waffles, chocolate and beer.

• Smoking: smoking is largely prohibited in public buildings, restaurants and bars. Use designated smoking areas or smoke outdoors.

• Tipping: tipping is not always required because service is already included in the bill at most restaurants and bars. It is nevertheless customary to round up the bill or leave an additional 5-10% when the service has been particularly good.

• Drinking water quality: tap water is generally safe to drink and complies with European Union standards. Its quality may nevertheless vary, and it may contain chlorine.

• Vaccinations: no specific vaccinations are generally required for entry into Belgium. Travellers are nevertheless advised to keep routine vaccinations up to date, particularly those against diphtheria, tetanus, polio and measles.

• Medical care is available. The European Health Insurance Card must be presented for medical treatment.
• If you depend on certain medication, your travel pharmacy should contain an adequate supply. Please note, however, that many countries have special regulations governing medicines containing controlled substances, such as methadone, and substances used to treat mental health conditions. If necessary, contact the relevant foreign representation, namely the embassy or consulate, before departure.

• Before and during your trip, keep up to date with the current situation through the media and stay in contact with your tour operator. Further information is available on the website of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA).

• Brussels is home to NATO headquarters and the principal institutions of the European Union. Violent clashes between demonstrators and the security forces may occasionally occur during demonstrations. Avoid demonstrations of any kind and follow the instructions of the local authorities.

• Strikes may cause disruption and delays to public transport, particularly in Brussels and the surrounding area.

• The Belgian authorities warn of the risk of terrorist attacks.

• Swiss driving licence and vehicle registration document: recognised.

• Car hire: the minimum age is between 21 and 25, depending on the company.

• Mandatory equipment: CH sticker and warning triangle.

• Blood alcohol limit: 0.5‰.

• Long-distance trains: Belgium has a well-developed rail network operated by the national railway company SNCB/NMBS. Trains connect the country’s main cities, including Brussels, Antwerp, Ghent, Bruges and Liège, as well as international destinations such as Paris, Amsterdam and Cologne. Eurostar provides high-speed services to various European cities.

• Regional trains: SNCB/NMBS also operates an extensive network connecting smaller towns and rural areas. These trains are a convenient way to explore different parts of the country.

• Buses: Belgium has a well-developed network of routes operated by various regional transport companies. Buses also provide access to more remote areas not directly served by rail. Larger cities such as Brussels, Antwerp and Ghent have extensive urban bus networks.

• Underground / tram: some Belgian cities, including Brussels and Charleroi, have metro systems offering a fast and convenient way to travel within the city. Many cities also have tram networks linking the main districts.

• Tickets: tickets can be purchased from machines at railway stations, ticket offices or online.

• Other information: ticket inspections are strict in Belgium, so travellers should always have a valid ticket.

• Brussels Airport (BRU): regular direct connections from Zurich and Geneva.

• Brussels South Charleroi Airport (CRL): an airport mainly served by low-cost airlines; connections from Switzerland vary according to the season and flight schedule.

• Liège Airport (LGG): an airport primarily dedicated to cargo, with a limited range of passenger and charter flights.

The main airlines operating in Belgium include Brussels Airlines, TUI fly Belgium and Ryanair. SWISS also operates services between Switzerland and Brussels.

00 41 (disregard '0' preceding Swiss area codes)

• General emergency number: 112

• Police: 101

• Fire brigade and rescue service: 100

Place du Luxembourg 1
1050 Brussels
Telephone: +32 2 285 43 50
Email: bruxelles@eda.admin.ch

Special legal provisions

• Violations of narcotics legislation may be punishable by imprisonment even for small quantities and regardless of the type of drug.