Go, but pay attention.
No major changes since yesterday.
Governments, one trip
What they're telling their own citizens about Belgium
The real score
The breakdown
See it from your perspective
Go, but pay attention.
The general Sketch Score, unweighted for any specific traveler.
Don't do this
Laws that jail tourists
Marijuana possession
Possessing small amounts of marijuana is a punishable offense that results in a fine.
Staying healthy
What to watch out for, health-wise
Active notices
- • Global Measles
Tap water safe to drink: Yes
Vaccines
Required: Yellow Fever
Recommended: Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Measles, Rabies, Tick-borne Encephalitis
Source: CDC Travelers' Health →Getting in
What you'll need at the border
The visa policy of the Schengen Area is a component within the wider area of freedom, security and justice policy of the European Union. It applies to the Schengen Area and Cyprus, but not to EU member state Ireland. The visa policy allows nationals of certain countries to enter the Schengen Area via air, land or sea without a visa for up to 90 days within any 180-day period. Nationals of certain other countries are required to have a visa to enter and, in some cases, transit through the Schenge
Source: Wikipedia →Real, not invented
Terrorism
Terrorists are likely to try to carry out attacks in Belgium. Terrorism attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by foreign nationals such as: public transport national and international transport hubs music, sporting and cultural events entertainment establishments and nightlife venues government buildings and international institutions places of worship and religious sites You should be vigilant in public places and follow the advice of local authorities. There have been some high-profile terrorist attacks across Belgium. The main threat is from extremists linked to Daesh (formerly referred to as ISIL). Previous incidents have included fatal attacks against civilians and law enforcement: on 16 October 2023, 2 people were killed and one seriously injured in a terrorism-related shooting incident in Brussels in 2022, a police officer was killed and another injured in a suspected terrorist incident in Brussels The Belgian authorities have successfully disrupted various attack plans, making a number of arrests in recent years. The Belgian government has set the national threat level at 3 ‘Serious’. You can expect to see an increased police presence, and additional safety measures may be in place. Be aware of your surroundings and follow the advice of local authorities.
Source: UK FCDO →From people who've been there
Local know-how
Staying safe
- •With the notable exceptions of certain major urban areas like Brussels (mostly the northern and western sections of the region), Antwerp (the southern neighbourhoods), and Walloon cities bor…
- •Pickpocketing and other crimes: Violent crimes are generally uncommon in Belgium, but as with much of Europe, petty crimes like pickpocketing do occur, mostly in Brussels and more touristy cities like Bruges and Antwerp.
- •Aggravated assaults have occurred sporadically throughout the years, but they rarely involve tourists. Brussels and other major cities have seen a surge of assaults against women
- •Racism: As a country marked by continued waves of immigration, Belgium is one of the world's most multicultural nations.
- •People of North African or Middle Eastern ancestry in particular may attract violent stares and resentment from older generations in rural areas and wealthier sections of Brussels and Antwerp.
- •People who are recognisably Jewish, such as men who wear kippot, have also experienced harassment and worse, and should check on current conditions for Jews before they go.
Staying healthy
- •In the winter, like most other European countries, only influenza will cause you a considerable inconvenience. No inoculations are needed to enter or leave Belgium.
- •Tap water is safe to drink throughout Belgium. As one of Europe's most densely populated countries, Belgium suffers from serious air pollution. This applies for both urban and rural areas.
Adapted from Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA — edited by travelers, not us.
Right now
In the news the last few days
- India , Belgium unveil 10 key outcomes during PM De Wever visit ; MEA says ties focused on 3Ts2026-09-04
- India , Belgium unveil 10 key outcomes during PM De Wevers visit ; MEA says ties focused on 3Ts2026-09-04
- EU and Nato vow to step up pressure on Russia2026-09-03
- Belgian PM Bart De Wever arrives in India for three - day official visit , to hold talks with PM Modi2026-09-03
Real talk
What travelers actually say
Brussels is not the dangerous city some online rumors suggest, though it does not match the safety standards of Scandinavia. The primary areas of concern are the north and south train stations, which sit in the city's poorest districts. Travelers will encounter visible homelessness and drug use in these specific zones, though these areas are no more sketchy than similar parts of Dublin. Violent crime is not a defining feature of the city, and it remains safer than many major American cities. While some tourists experience street harassment, the city center is generally manageable for those who avoid the grittier station neighborhoods.
“The north and south train stations are situated in the poorest parts of the city and you will see visible homelessness and sometimes drug addicts
— r/travel
“Anyway, the station area can be sketchy, but no more sketchy than say Dublin or so. Its absolutely not in the same ballpark as the Tenderloin as some may suggest
— r/travel
“I have travelled to a lot of places, and Brussels was way safer than the American cities I been to.
— r/travel
Pack this, know this
The little things that trip people up
Plug & voltage
C / E · 230V
Driving side
right
Emergency
police: 101 or 112 / ambulance: 112 / fire: 112
Tipping
Tipping in Belgium is not usually done as service charge is always included. However, you may tip as a sign of appreciation. Usually, this is done by paying in bank notes with a total value slightly higher than the price of the meal and telling the waiter/waitress that they can keep the change.
SIM / Data
Belgium uses the GSM standard of cellular phones (900 MHz and 1800 MHz bands) used in much of the world except parts of the Americas. There are three main companies (Proximus, Orange and Base, and a large number of MVNOs) offering wireless service. The country is almost totally covered.
Zoom in
4 Belgium cities on SKETCH.WORLD
Real, resident-submitted Numbeo crime data at the city level — the same national picture above, with crime swapped for what people who actually live there report.
Show the receipts (9 sources)
- us-state — observed 2026-09-09
- uk-fcdo — observed 2026-09-09
- ca-gac — observed 2026-09-09
- worldbank-political — observed 2026-09-09
- worldbank-policeTrust — observed 2026-09-09
- cdc-health — observed 2026-09-09
- wikivoyage — observed 2026-09-09
- reddit — observed 2026-09-09
- lgbtq-legal-wikipedia — observed 2026-09-09