Belgium for travellers: passport, face coverings, drugs and health

Travelling to Belgium is easy, but some rules surprise people arriving from abroad. This guide summarises what the UK Government's travel advice (FCDO) says on laws, driving and health, updated on 17 October 2026 and read on 7 November 2026. It is educational information for travellers: it does not recommend venues and has no explicit content. What the advice does not cover, we do not claim.

Carry your passport

The advice is blunt: you must carry your passport with you at all times. If you go out at night, do not leave it at the hotel for convenience. A reasonable approach is to carry the original and keep a separate digital copy on your partner's phone; the FCDO says nothing about copies, that is common sense.

The ban on face coverings

Covering your face (such as the burka or niqab) in public places is banned. The FCDO states fines of up to 137 euros and detention of up to seven days, and stresses there is no exemption for tourists. For couples heading to a masked party, the practical conclusion is to put the mask on inside the venue and not in the street; on what happens inside a private venue the advice says nothing and we do not extend it.

Drugs: zero tolerance in practice

Drug offences, including cannabis possession, use and trafficking, are serious. Penalties can include a minimum three-month prison sentence. Expect strict enforcement even in airport transit, where baggage is scanned. If you take medication, check its legal status: the health advice warns that medicines prescribed or bought in the UK may have a different legal status in Belgium, and points to TravelHealthPro and the Belgian embassy.

Organised crime

The advice mentions gangs linked to drug trafficking that have carried out shootings, stabbings and attacks with homemade explosives, especially in Brussels and Antwerp. The risk is mainly to those involved in drug crime, but bystanders can be caught up. Avoid anyone offering drugs and deserted areas at night.

Driving

If you hire a car: carry your licence, vehicle documents, insurance and the technical inspection certificate (contrôle technique), plus the passports of driver and passengers. Police use speed cameras and unmarked cars, and speeding can mean on-the-spot fines. Using a mobile phone while driving is illegal without hands-free. Belgium has a high accident rate, mainly because of speeding. Brussels, Ghent and Antwerp have low emission zones and foreign vehicles must register beforehand. E-scooters have a 25 km/h limit, no passengers and no pavement riding.

First World War battlefields

If you sightsee in the north-west, stay on footpaths: unexploded shells have been found. If you see suspected munitions, move away and report it to the police.

Health

The emergency number is 112 (ask for an ambulance). Take insurance covering local treatment and medical evacuation. Non-emergency consultations and prescriptions carry a fee. British nationals need a GHIC or EHIC for necessary state healthcare, and these cards do not cover repatriation, non-urgent treatment or private clinics. Check vaccine recommendations at least eight weeks before travelling.

Terrorism, demonstrations and strikes

The national threat is level 3 ("Serious"). Demonstrations and strikes are frequent, especially in the Schuman area, and can affect access to embassies and transport. If you travel by train, read our guide to Brussels stations.

Steps before you travel

1. Check the updated advice on gov.uk or your own country's.
2. Take insurance with medical evacuation.
3. Prepare your passport and copies.
4. Check the strike calendar.
5. If you drive, check low-emission zone registration.

Before you go: agreements as a couple

A good couples' trip is decided before you arrive. Talk calmly about what you would like and what you would not, and agree a simple signal to stop or leave without explanations; nobody should feel obliged to anything, and a "no" or a "not now" is always respected. If you plan to visit an adult venue, read its official website first: hours, entry policy, dress code and conduct rules should be published, and management may reserve the right of admission. Photos and videos of other people are never taken without their express permission; protect your own privacy and do not share personal data with strangers. On health, talk about STI testing before the trip, carry condoms and consult your doctor or sexual health service. Take travel insurance covering medical care and evacuation, save the emergency number (112 in the EU), note your lodging's address and plan the way back in advance. Above all, do not drink more than you can manage: the best night is the one you remember with a smile.

Frequently asked questions

Can I wear a mask in the street? No: Belgian law bans covering your face in public and does not exempt tourists.

What about cannabis? It is penalised; do not count on tolerance.

Who do I call for medical help? 112.

Where can I read more? On our Brussels destination page and in our Benelux and France guides.

Read also

• Brussels for couples: Grand-Place, official advice and a prudent night out
• Brussels by train: stations, luggage and taxis without nasty surprises
• Luxembourg for couples: the Grund, the fortifications and a calm night