Planning a trip to Belgium? Maybe you’re dreaming of Brussels’ Grand Place at golden hour, Belgian waffles and chocolate, Bruges’ canals, Ghent’s medieval streets, or a quick city break filled with art, beer tastings, and museums in between. Belgium is compact, brilliantly connected, and perfect for multi-city itineraries, especially when paired with nearby Schengen stops.
If you’re a non‑EU/EEA traveller (or you live in the UK on a non‑UK passport), you may need a Schengen visa for Belgium for a short stay. A Schengen visa is an entry permit for non‑EU nationals for a temporary visit of up to 90 days in any 180‑day period.
Do You Need a Visa to Visit Belgium?
UK passport holders can travel visa-free to the Schengen area (including Belgium) for up to 90 days in any 180‑day period for tourism, visiting family/friends, business meetings, cultural/sports events, and short-term study/training.
However, citizens of certain non‑EU countries must hold a short‑stay visa to travel to the Schengen area, and the EU provides the official nationality lists and exemptions.
Your passport must also:
- have a date of issue less than 10 years before you arrive (note on renewals before 1 October 2018), and
- have an expiry date at least 3 months after the date you plan to leave the Schengen area.
Schengen visa applicants must also meet the EU passport validity standard (at least 3 months after Schengen departure; for multiple-entry, 3 months after last departure).
The 90/180 Rule
Belgium follows the Schengen short‑stay rule: you can stay up to 90 days in any 180 days, and days spent in other Schengen countries count too. GOV.UK highlights that prior Schengen days in the previous 180 days are included in the total.
The EU’s short‑stay calculator can help you plan your itinerary accurately.
Types of Belgium Schengen Visa
The EU recognises three Schengen visa formats:
- Single-entry (enter once)
- Multiple-entry (several visits while valid)
- Airport transit visa (transit through the international transit area only; you cannot enter the Schengen territory)
Belgium Schengen Visa Requirements
Belgium’s process is document-led: decisions are made on the basis of the file you submit, so completeness matters.
This checklist aligns with EU Schengen rules and the Belgian process sources you provided:
1. Valid passport
- For UK travellers entering Belgium visa-free, the passport must meet the Schengen validity rules described above.
- For Schengen visa applicants: passport must be valid at least 3 months after departure (and meet the multiple-entry rule where relevant).
2. Completed visa application form (part of the Schengen application file).
3. A photo compliant with ICAO standards.
4. Proof of purpose of stay (tourism, visiting family/friends, business, etc.).
5. Proof of accommodation during the stay.
6. Proof of financial means
The EU requires evidence of financial means. Also note that border control may ask travellers to show they have enough money for their stay.
7. Travel medical insurance
Insurance must cover emergency medical care, hospitalisation and repatriation (including in the event of death).
The Schengen minimum coverage is €30,000, and the policy must cover your entire intended stay across the Schengen area.
8. Biometrics
Fingerprints are collected when you submit your application (exemptions exist for specific categories).
9. Evidence that you will leave the Schengen area
The EU requires evidence of your intention to return after your visit.
How to Apply for a Schengen Visa for Belgium
Step 1: Determine your visa requirements
Schengen rule: apply at the consulate of the country you intend to visit. If visiting multiple Schengen countries, apply to the country where you will spend the longest time; if stays are equal, apply to the country of first entry.
Step 2: Prepare your documents carefully
Build a complete file with passport, form, photo, insurance and purpose/accommodation/funds/return intention evidence. Missing documents can trigger delays or refusal under standard Schengen rules.
Step 3: Book your Belgium visa appointment in the UK
For UK-based applicants: Belgium’s UK application flow runs through TLScontact - Visa Application Centres. Start here:
Direct VAC entry points provided in your sources:
Step 4: Attend your appointment and provide biometrics
Fingerprints are collected when you lodge your application (with exemptions for certain categories).
Step 5: Pay the visa fee
The EU lists the standard Schengen fee levels and notes that service centres can charge additional fees.
Step 6: Track your application and collect your passport
TLScontact is the practical approach for UK submissions, so tracking/collection instructions should be followed through the TLScontact flow for your chosen centre.
Belgium Schengen Visa Fees
The European Commission lists:
- €90 for adults
- €45 for children aged 6 - 12
The EU also notes:
- The visa fee can be waived for certain categories, and
- An additional fee may apply if you apply through a visa service centre.
Biometric Requirements & Application Locations
Biometrics are generally collected when you submit your Schengen visa application (with exemptions for specific categories).
UK application channel:
- London: TLScontact London
- Edinburgh: TLScontact Edinburgh
- Manchester: TLScontact Manchester
Belgium Schengen Visa Processing Time
The EU states the normal processing time for a Schengen visa is 15 days, and it can be extended up to 45 days if a more detailed examination and/or additional documents are required.
When to apply
Apply no earlier than 6 months before travel and at least 15 days before your intended journey.
Belgium Travel Insurance
Travel insurance isn’t optional for a Belgian tourist visa (short-stay Schengen visa). The EU requires medical insurance covering:
- emergency medical care
- hospitalisation
- repatriation (including in the event of death)
The minimum Schengen medical coverage level is €30,000.
A Schengen-compliant insurance is primarily about meeting the official checklist cleanly: correct coverage amount, correct territory, Schengen-wide, and correct dates. That’s why many applicants prefer insurance that is designed around these Schengen requirements, so the insurance certificate is easy to verify alongside the rest of the file.
Upcoming Changes: Preparing for EES
From 12 October 2025, the EU Entry/Exit System (EES) will begin to roll out. Travellers entering the Schengen area for short stays may need to register biometric details at the border, and should expect border processes to take longer during rollout.
What If Your Belgium Visa Application Is Refused?
The EU confirms that if your Schengen visa application is rejected, you will be told:
- Why it was rejected, and
- how to submit an appeal.
Common refusal triggers
Most avoidables map directly to the official requirements:
- Incomplete/missing supporting documents (purpose, accommodation, funds, return intent)
- Insurance that doesn’t clearly meet the Schengen minimum cover and benefits
- Itinerary/accommodation evidence that doesn’t match the trip plan you’ve stated
Essential Contacts for Your Belgium Visa Journey
- TLScontact Belgium (UK): Book appointments and manage your Belgium visa appointment in the UK.
- TLScontact VAC pages: London / Edinburgh / Manchester.
- European Commission: Applying for a Schengen visa
- GOV.UK: Belgium entry requirements
Your Top Questions about the Belgium Schengen Visa
How long can I stay in Belgium with a Schengen visa?
A Schengen visa is for short stays of up to 90 days in any 180 days across the Schengen area, including Belgium. Two practical reminders. Your visa sticker may grant fewer than 90 days, and time spent in other Schengen countries counts toward your 90-day total.
Can I travel to other Schengen countries with a Belgian Schengen visa?
Yes. A Schengen visa is designed for travel across the Schengen area, as long as you stay within the 90/180 limit. If your itinerary includes multiple countries, apply in the country where you’ll spend the most nights.
How do I apply for a Schengen visa for Belgium from the UK?
Use the UK application channel via TLScontact and book your appointment at the appropriate VAC. Start here
Do I need to attend a Belgian visa appointment in person?
In general, yes, fingerprints are collected when you submit your Schengen visa application, though exemptions exist for some categories.
What passport rules apply for Belgium?
For British citizens, the passport must be issued less than 10 years before arrival and be valid at least 3 months after your planned departure from the Schengen area.
Is travel insurance mandatory for a Belgium tourist visa?
Yes. Schengen rules require medical insurance covering emergency care, hospitalisation, and repatriation (including death), with minimum coverage of €30,000.
How early should I apply for a Belgium Schengen visa?
According to EU guidance, you shouldn’t apply earlier than 6 months before travel and at least 15 days before your intended journey.
Belgium Awaits! Start Your Belgian Adventure Today
You could be planning to admire Brussels’ Grand Place, explore Bruges’ canals, or build an itinerary around chocolate shops, cathedral cities, and cosy cafés. Belgium is a brilliant short break, and an easy base for wider Schengen travel.
From medieval skylines and historic squares to modern European institutions and world-famous cuisine, Belgium delivers a lot in a small footprint.
Get your Schengen-compliant travel insurance from Gigasure in minutes and begin your Belgium visa application process with confidence. Let us handle the insurance requirement while you focus on booking your Belgium visa appointment and building a complete document file.
Note: Information accurate as of February 2026. Always verify current requirements and appointment instructions via the official TLScontact pages and EU guidance before applying.
