Belgium

GENERAL INFORMATION
Language: French, Dutch, German
Electricity: 220V AC 50Hz
International Direct Dialing Code: 32
Driving: Driving is on the right. National licence required. Minimum driving age is 18
Currency: Euro (EUR 1 = 100 Cents)
Business/Social Hints: Smoking is usually prohibited in public places. Request permission before smoking in offices, cars and restaurants. On social occasions, eg invitation to restaurants, be punctual and dress as for business meetings unless otherwise indicated. Minimum drinking age: Persons between the ages of 16-18 are allowed to purchase alcholic drinks (less than 21% volume)

Public Holidays: 2008
Jan 1 New Years Day, Mar 24 Easter Monday, May 1 Labour Day, May 1 Ascension Day, May 11 Pentecost, May 12 Pentecost Monday, Jul 21 Independence Day, Aug 15 Assumption, Nov 1 All Saints Day, Nov 11 Armistice Day, Dec 25 Christmas Day
Emergency Services: Police: 101. Fire & Ambulance: 100
Clothing: Light to warm clothes throughout the year, supplemented by heavier wear for winter months. Rainwear at any time

HEALTH & SAFETY INFORMATION
Compulsory Vaccinations: None.
Recommended Immunisations: None, however check travellers have up to date tetanus & polio immunisations.
Reciprocal Health: Participant of the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC scheme) which allows visitors on short-term stays to other member countries to use the public health care sector for free or reduced-cost medical treatment and emergency care.

PASSPORT & VISA INFORMATION
Passport General: Required, but NOT by the following:
1) Holders of a national passport expired for no more than 5 years: Andorra, Austria, France, Germany (expired 1 year only), Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, Portugal, San Marino, Spain & Switzerland
2) Holders of National Identity Cards issued to nationals of Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland Rep, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, Portugal, San Marino, Spain & Switzerland
Passport Validity: 1) Where a visa is not required please contact nearest embassy/consulate
2) Where a visa is required passports must be valid 3 months beyond period of intended stay
Visa General: The following DO NOT require a visa:
1) Nationals of Belgium
2) Nationals of the following countries travelling with a valid national passport:
a) United Kingdom
b) Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus (full passport required), Czech Rep, Denmark, El Salvador, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong (S.A.R. passport holders), Hungary, Iceland, Ireland Rep, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea (South), Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macao (S.A.R. passport holders), Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United States, Uruguay, Vatican City & Venezuela
3) Holders of a British National Overseas passport
4) Holders of a British non-EC/EU "looklike" passport issued to citizens of Anguilla, Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands, Montserrat, Turks & Caicos Islands & British Virgin Islands

The following DO require a visa:
a) Bolivia
Visa Notes: 1) Where a visa is required children must hold their own passports
Visa Special Notes: 1) All visitors must hold onward/return tickets & sufficient funds for length of stay, except nationals of Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland Rep, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden & United Kingdom
2) Member of Schengen Visa Agreement, however we strongly recommend that travellers make enquiries prior to travel with the appropriate Embassies of the countries within the agreement which they plan to visit

CURRENCY, CUSTOMS & EXCISE INFORMATION

Import Allowances: For persons of 17 years of age or older:

1) Travellers entering from non-EU countries (including Canary Islands, Channel Islands & Gibraltar):
a) 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars or 250gr of tobacco
b) 1 lit of spirits of more than 220 proof or 2 lit of up to 220 proof
c) 2 lit of still wines
d) 50gr of perfume & 0.25 lit of eau de toilette
e) Other goods to the value of EUR 175 (EUR 90 for travellers under 15 years)

2) Travellers entering from EU countries (goods obtained duty & tax paid - guidance levels):
a) 800 cigarettes, 400 cigarillos, 200 cigars & 1 kg of tobacco, except if entering from the following EU countries:
Czech Rep; 200 cigarettes (until end 2007) or 50 cigars or 100 cigarillos or 250gr of tobacco (until end 2006)
Estonia; 200 cigarettes or 250gr of tobacco, no limit on other tobacco products (until end 2009)
Hungary (until end 2008), Latvia (until end 2009), Lithuania (until end 2009), Poland (until end 2008), Slovakia (until end 2008) or Slovenia (until end 2007); 200 cigarettes, no limit on other tobacco products
b) 10 lit of spirits, 20 lit of fortified wine, 90 lit of wine (of which, a max of 60 lit of sparkling wine) & 110 lit of beer
Prohibited/Restricted: Unpreserved meat products. Other unpreserved foodstuffs must be declared

• Belgium Tourist Board