🇧🇪 Belgium visa requirements

Belgian visa rules are Schengen standard, mostly. For many, it’s 90 days visa-free. But don't assume you can work off your laptop.

Who can walk into Belgium visa-free?

If you hold a passport from the EU/EEA/Switzerland, you don't need a visa. You can stay as long as you like, work, and live in Belgium. For US, Canadian, Australian, UK, and New Zealand citizens, it's also straightforward. You get 90 days in any 180-day period under the Schengen Agreement. This means you can't just hop out for a day and reset your clock. Plan your travel across the Schengen zone carefully.

For citizens of countries like Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, North Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Serbia, and Ukraine (with biometric passports), the 90/180 rule applies too. They can enter visa-free for short stays.

However, if your passport is from countries like China, India, Russia, or many African nations, you'll need to apply for a Schengen visa before you travel. This process takes time and requires proof of funds, accommodation, and travel insurance. Expect to queue at the embassy or visa application centre.

How long can you actually stay?

The 90/180 rule is the golden ticket for visa-free travelers. It governs your total stay across the entire Schengen Area, not just Belgium. Overstaying carries penalties. While Belgium doesn't always stamp exit passports rigorously, getting caught can mean a ban from the Schengen zone for 1 to 5 years. Fines are also possible, though often applied on re-entry to Schengen, not necessarily at the Belgian border. Keep track of your days. If you plan on staying longer than 90 days, you'll need a specific long-stay visa or residency permit, which is a different process entirely and requires applying from your home country.

Working remotely on a tourist stamp

This is where things get murky. Officially, working while on a 90-day tourist stamp is not permitted. You're supposed to be visiting for leisure. However, enforcement varies wildly. Many digital nomads do work remotely from cafes or co-working spaces without issue. The key is not to draw attention. Don't set up a permanent desk at your Airbnb and conduct client meetings that look like actual employment. Authorities are more concerned with people taking jobs away from local residents. If you're simply checking emails and attending Zoom calls, you're likely fine. But if you're engaging in any activity that could be construed as local employment, you risk problems.

What’s new with Belgian visas?

Belgium, like other Schengen countries, is moving towards a more digital process. The EU has been rolling out its ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System), an electronic travel authorisation. It's not a visa, but an online pre-screening for visa-exempt travellers. While initially slated for mid-2023, it's now expected around mid-2025†. This will require citizens from visa-exempt countries to obtain authorisation online before travelling. Fees are expected to be around €7†. Beyond ETIAS, Belgium hasn't introduced major new visa categories or drastically changed existing ones in the last year or so. Standard Schengen visa fees remain at €80† for adults. The core rules for short stays haven't seen recent upheaval.