Belgium country information

You are on holiday in Belgium. How delicious! But what is the ideal time to travel? How much do you pay on average for a hotel or a bite and how is medical care arranged? On this page you will find practical information on Belgium.

Electricity Belgium

Voltage

• 230 volts

Adapter

• Power outlets have two round holes and may have a protruding ground pin.
• For grounded plugs without a ground pin hole, you may need a Europe adapter or a universal world plug.
• An adapter or world plug is often a handy tool to take with you when traveling.

Medical care and safety in Belgium

• Medical care in Belgium is excellent, but expensive. Partly for this reason, it is recommended to take out good travel insurance. Please note that cash may be required to provide medical care.
• In case of hospitalization or when specialist medical care is required, travelers should contact their insurance company directly.

Coronavirus (COVID-19)

• Most countries have taken measures to prevent the spread of the corona virus. Before you travel, view the current travel advice.

Emergencies

• In the event of an emergency, for example when you are hospitalized abroad, you can contact your Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
• For information and any support you can also contact one of your country’s representations in Belgium.

European health insurance card (EHIC)

• The European health insurance card or EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) entitles you to essential medical care in the event of illness or an accident during a temporary stay in Belgium. If you show your EHIC, healthcare providers know that you are insured and where they can declare the healthcare costs. It is often not necessary to advance healthcare costs yourself.
• The personal EHIC can usually be found on the back of your health insurance card’s health insurance card or in your health insurer’s app. Consult your health insurer’s website for more information about the EHIC.
  Medicines
• Take plenty of special medicines with you (in the original packaging) or ask the doctor for a prescription.
• It is advisable to bring your own travel pharmacy with regular medicines.

Medical statement

• Travelers who bring medicines prescribed by a doctor or specialist may be required to carry a medical certificate. This applies in any case to medicines that fall under the Opium Act (such as certain sleeping aids, ADHD drugs and strong painkillers).
• Request the statement in time.

Health advice

• Watch out for ticks when hiking or camping in the countryside, as they can transmit Lyme disease.
• Protect yourself from ticks!

Drinking water

• The tap water is safe to drink.

Vaccinations

• For personal advice and up-to-date information about vaccinations and health issues, please contact your qualified doctor or a vaccination center.

Safety Belgium

• Contact or look for travel advice by your Ministry of Foreign Affairs for up-to-date information about security risks abroad.

Travel season Belgium

• Belgium is a destination for all seasons.
• The summer is best for outdoor activities such as boat trips, street festivals, bicycle tours and a terrace visit.
• The Ardennes are attractive for active holidays in every season, with a peak for canoeists in the spring and summer. With a bit of luck, you can go cross-country skiing in winter.

Belgium climate

• The Ardennes has a different climate compared to the rest of Belgium. Due to height differences (hills), considerable temperature differences arise locally. Snow falls earlier and more often, which also stays longer. The average number of frost days per year in the Ardennes is 44. In the rest of Belgium it is 14. It also rains much more than in the rest of the country. The Ardennes is one of the wettest areas in Europe.

Clothes to wear in Belgium

• Bring light, but also warm clothing for changing weather conditions. A raincoat or poncho can come in handy. A (fleece) sweater or cardigan is useful for the cool evenings.
• Bring comfortable walking shoes.

Other useful information

• Most spoken languages: Dutch, French and German.
• The official language border between Dutch and French runs from Mesen in the south of West Flanders via Ronse in East Flanders and Halle in Brabant to Visé (Visé, near Maastricht) in Liège.
• English is increasingly used as a second language alongside the language of the region concerned.

Time difference

• There is no time difference with the Netherlands.

Facts and numbers

• Official name: Kingdom of Belgium / Royaume de Belgique (French) / Königreich Belgien (German)
• Residents: Belgian (m), Belgian (f)
• State form: Parliamentary Monarchy
• Belgium is divided into 3 communities, 3 regions, 10 provinces and 581 municipalities.
• Capital: Brussels / Bruxelles (French) / Brüssel (German)
• European Union: Belgium has been a member of the European Union since it was founded in 1952.
• Language: Dutch, French, German
• Population: 2019: 11.5 million
• Surface: 30,528 km²
• Income per inhabitant per year: 2018: $ 42,800
• Average life expectancy: 2018: 81.5 years (NL: 82.1 years)
• Currency: Euro (EUR)
• Country code license plate: B.

Camping in Belgium

• Belgium has about 900 campsites. Most of these can be found along the coast and in the Ardennes.
• The Belgian campsites do not differ much from the campsites as they are known in most other countries.
• Camping à la ferme: camping on the farm.
• Camping naturiste: naturist campsite.

Quality of the campsites

• The quality of the Belgian camping site is generally fair to good.
• The classification into categories determined by the government and the corresponding star ratings are based on the amount of facilities and not on quality.
• Glamping: luxury camping is a growing phenomenon in Belgium.

Camping organizations in Belgium

• The main camping organization in Belgium are the Dutch-speaking Flemish Camping and Caravanning Federation (VKT) (vlaamsekampeertoeristen.be) and the French-speaking Fédération Francophone des Clubs de Camping et Caravanning de Belgique They represent the interests of campers and also provide information.

Camping Key Europe

• In addition to a replacement ID card at the campsite, this camping card is a handy discount card in the low and high season.
• With a CKE, the discount can be up to 20%.

Camping prices Belgium

• The rates depend on the location of the site, the comfort, the region and the season. In general, accommodation is free for children under 2 years old and a discount applies for children between 2 and 12 years old.
• The rates are usually calculated per pitch, ie including car, camping equipment and two adults.
• Access to amenities such as swimming pool, sauna, discos and sports matches is generally included. A small contribution is required for some activities, such as equipment for mini golf, tennis and horse riding, organized tours and bicycle rental.
• Tourist tax is usually included in the camping rates.

Camping reservations Belgium

• The campsites on the coast are popular; timely reservation is not an unnecessary luxury here, especially in the high season (July and August).
• At many campsites in Belgium it is also possible to rent fully equipped mobile homes or bungalows. Usually a minimum rental period of one week applies. It is wise to book well in advance.

Wild camping

• Free camping in Belgium is only allowed with the permission of the local authorities, the police or the land owner.
• Free camping is prohibited in Flanders and along the coast.
• In some beautiful nature reserves, special so-called bivouac areas have been designated where a maximum of 3 tents (10 people) may be placed for a maximum of 48 hours. For information see: bivakzone.be.
• Staying overnight in the caravan or motorhome on the public road is only allowed in parking lots along the motorways for less than 24 hours.

Campers

• The same rules apply to campers in Belgium as to other vehicles.
• The number of special camper pitches outside the regular campsites is growing. These are often simple parking spaces at a port or tourist attraction, or at the edge of a built-up area, with facilities for water, electricity and the discharge of waste water.

Winter camping in Belgium

• Belgium has a limited number of campsites that are also open in winter.
• Most winter campsites can be found in the Ardennes.
• The Belgian winter campsites offer reasonable comfort for a winter holiday. Often there are also rental accommodations.

Facilities on the campsite

• Front desk: when registering at the campsite in Belgium, personal data is noted, how many people are involved and what the length of stay is. Usually, proof of identity must be submitted.
• The Camping Key Europe (CKE) is accepted as proof of identity at most campsites.
• Checking in with a CKE is faster and campsites that participate in the CKE program often give discounts. In addition to the CKE, take a passport or ID card with you, it may be requested.
• Pitches: the terrains and surfaces of pitches vary per region.
• Water and own drainage on the pitch are no exception.
• Rental accommodations can be found on some camping areas. The offer varies from mobile homes to mobile homes.
• Often a minimum rental period of one week applies.
• Some campsites have cabins especially for hikers.
• Electricity: CEE plugs for power connection are standard.
• Butane gas is usually used for cooking in Belgium. The availability of this is good, with various suppliers such as Campingaz, Primagaz and Butagaz.

Internet

• Internet: most campsites in Belgium offer wireless internet.

Camping market

• In the season, foodstuffs are readily available at (medium) large campsites.
• Many campsites have free facilities for cooling food or freezing ice packs. How this is arranged varies. Sometimes the items can be delivered to the reception, sometimes there are refrigerators and / or chests in the camping shop, cooking or washing up facilities.

Sanitary, showers, washrooms

• Showers and washrooms usually have both cold and warm running water.

Animation and recreation

• Belgian campsites generally offer many facilities for the children and entertainment programs.

Pets on the campsite in Belgium

• Pets are allowed on most campsites in Belgium. Please inquire with the owner in advance.

Popular camping destinations

• Ardennes: wooded hills for exciting bike and hike trails.
• Belgium coast: for undisturbed long walks on the seawall, looking out over a fine sandy beach.
• Flanders: enjoy by bike, in a tent or cottage, enjoy the culture.

Here you will find more information about Belgium.