Key facts
Belgium is a member state of the European Union located in Western Europe. There are 4 countries (France, Germany, Luxembourg, Netherlands) that Belgium shares its borders with. As for languages, the country’s residents speak Dutch, French and German. Although English isn’t the official language, the majority of people in Belgium are good English speakers.
EF EPI’s 2021 rankings placed Belgium 6th among 100 nations out of non-native English-speaking countries.
The national currency in Belgium is Euro (EUR). The euro (€) is subdivided into 100 cent (c).
With today’s currency rate, 1 USD is worth 0.96 EUR.
Belgian
Banknotes
€5€10€20€50€100€200€500
Belgian
Coins
€1€25c10c20c50c1c2c
Check with your bank before your trip to find out if there are any fees for using your card abroad. Some banks do not charge fees when you use a foreign ATM or pay in foreign currency, but others may charge a fixed cost for each transaction or allow a limited number of free withdrawals. The travel card provided by Wise.com, Revolut or Monose might be an excellent option to cut down on transaction fees.
Ookla® Speedtest The average fixed internet speed in Belgium is 178.63 Mbps and mobile is 124.55 Mbs.The global average is 164.00 Mbps and 114.16 Mbps respectively.
ATM Density Belgium has more ATMs than most other countries.67.17 ATMs per 100,000 people.The global average is 39.49.
SIM Registration In order to purchase a SIM card in Belgium, a passport or ID is required as identification.
Socket types
There are 2 socket types used in Belgium. Type C is a popular socket type throughout Europe (except the United Kingdom), Russia, and certain Asian countries.
The sockets’ shapes and voltage differ from country to country and a travel plug adapter may be required. Portable devices, such as phones, notebooks or tablets, usually handle the entire range of voltages used across the world (110-240V).
Public holidays
In the year 2023, Belgium will celebrate 14 national public holidays. The next one All Saints’ Day will take place on November 1.
| Date | Holiday name | |
|---|---|---|
| January 1, 2023 | New Year’s DayNieuwjaar | |
| April 7, 2023Moving holiday | Good FridayGoede Vrijdag | |
| April 9, 2023Moving holiday | Easter SundayPasen | |
| April 10, 2023Moving holiday | Easter MondayPaasmaandag | |
| May 1, 2023 | Labour DayDag van de arbeid | |
| May 18, 2023Moving holiday | Ascension DayOnze Lieve Heer hemel | |
| May 19, 2023Moving holiday | Day after Ascension DayDay after Ascension Day | |
| May 29, 2023Moving holiday | Whit MondayPinkstermaandag | |
| July 21, 2023 | Belgian National DayNationale feestdag | |
| August 15, 2023 | Assumption DayOnze Lieve Vrouw hemelvaart | |
| November 1, 2023 | All Saints’ DayAllerheiligen | |
| November 11, 2023 | Armistice DayWapenstilstand | |
| December 25, 2023 | Christmas DayKerstdag | |
| December 26, 2023 | St. Stephen’s DayBoxing Day |
Sources
- EF English Proficiency Index (EF Education First)
- Speedtest Global Index® (Ookla®)
- Automated teller machines (ATMs) (per 100,000 adults) (The World Bank Group)
- Registration Policies Per Country (Prepaid Data SIM Card Wiki)
Tourism
What hotel chains are present in Belgium?
There are Mariott hotels in 2 cities: Brussels and Ghent.
The Hilton hotel chain operates in Belgium.
The IHG hotel chain operates in Belgium.
The Best Western hotel chain operates in Belgium.
There are Radisson hotels in 8 cities.
The Accor hotel chain operates in Belgium.
What fast food chains are present in Belgium?
The McDonald’s chain operates in Belgium.
The KFC chain operates in Belgium.
The Burger King chain does not operate in Belgium.
The Subway chain operates in Belgium.
The Domino’s Pizza chain operates in Belgium.
The Starbucks chain operates in Belgium.
Sources
- Country by National Dish (Samson Daniel)
Weather
What is the weather like in Brussels?
Weather data for Brussels (capital city) by Open-Meteo.com
Transport
Railways There are passenger trains , and some of them are high-speed trains.
Subway Systems The subway system is available in Brussels.
Sources
- List of high-speed railway lines (Wikipedia)
- List of metro systems (Wikipedia)
- Left- and right-hand traffic (Wikipedia)
- The Global Enabling Trade Report 2016: Road connectivity (World Economic Forum)
Safety
Emergency phones in Belgium
Sources
- Belgium Travel Advisory (United States: Department of State)
- Travel Advice for Belgium (United Kingdom: The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office)
- Mortality caused by road traffic injury (The World Bank Group)
- Corruption & Economic Crime (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime)
Smoking & Alcohol
Smoking ban Smoking is forbidden in all public indoor locations, with limited exceptions.
Cananbis legality Recreational usage is decriminalized, and medical use is legal in certain circumstances.
You are not entitled to a duty-free allowance for tobacco or alcohol if you are under the age of 17.
Alcohol allowance
Travellers from EU countries:
- 90L of still wine (60L of sparkling wine)
- 110L of beer
- 10L of alcoholic beverages stronger than 22%
- 20L of fortified or sparkling wine or other liqueurs up to 22%.
Travellers from non-EU countries:
- 4L of wine
- 16L of beer
- 1L of spirits over 22% volume or 2L of alcoholic beverages less than 22% volume
Tobacco allowance
Travellers from EU countries:
- 800 cigarettes or 400 cigarillos or 200 cigars or 1kg of tobacco
Travellers from non-EU countries:
- 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco
Sources
- Belgian Customs and Excise Administration.
- Alcohol, tobacco, cash and excise duties (europa.eu)
- List of smoking bans (Wikipedia)
- Legality of cannabis (Wikipedia)