Capital: Brussels
Time zone: GMT + 1
Telephone services: Country Code: 32
Outgoing Code: 00
Emergency telephone numbers: Dial 112 anywhere in the EU to reach the emergency services. Additional local numbers:- Police – 101, Fire, Ambulance – 100, or from a mobile phone – 112.
Tourist information: Belgian Tourist Office, 5th Floor, 29 Princes Street, London W1R 7RG Tel: (0891) 600 255 or (0891) 887 799 (recorded message 50p/min.) Fax: (020) 7458 0045.
Passport information: Valid passport required by all: except nationals of EU countries and nationals of Andorra, Liechtenstein, Malta, Monaco, San Marino and Switzerland providing they carry a national ID card. Return Ticket required. Requirements may be subject to short term change. Contact embassy before departure.
Visa information: Required by all except: Nationals of Great Britain, Australia, Canada, USA, EU, Japan, Andorra, Argentina, Brazil, Brunei, Chile, Costa Rica, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Israel, Jamaica, South Korea, Liechtenstein, Malawi, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Poland, San Marino, Singapore, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Switzerland, Turkey (if resident in an EU country and have a residence permit valid for a further 4 months), Uruguay, Vatican City and Venezuela
Health information: Other Health Risks: None at present.
Food & drink: Water is considered drinkable, normal precautions should be observed with food. In January 1999 Dioxins entered the food chain in Belgium – visitors are advised to take advice on eating pork, chicken or dairy products
Currency: Belgian Franc (Bfr) = 100 centimes
Credit cards and Travellers cheques are widely accepted. US dollars are the preferred currency.
ATM availability: Over 2000 locations.
Cost of living: Relatively expensive, similarly to other Western European countries.
Languages: Dutch and French.
Weather: Warm May – Sept, and snow likely during the winter months.
Electricity: 220 Volts AC 50 Hz. Plugs are 2 pin.
Post: 2- 3 days to other European destinations. Poste Restante is available in the main cities.
Transport: RAIL: A dense, regular service operates. A reduced rate card can be purchased for unlimited discounts for 1 month period.
Special information: “Flemings” often prefer to speak English; rather than French, to Foreign visitors.