Belgium Travel: Current COVID-19 Entry Rules & Other Restrictions Explained – SchengenVisaInfo.com – SchengenVisaInfo.com
Despite the improvement of the COVID-19 situation and the high vaccination rates, Belgium still continues to require travellers to follow entry rules.
Currently, Belgium applies different rules depending on the country of origin a person is travelling from, SchengenVisaInfo.com reports.
The Federal Public Service (FPS) of Belgium explains that European Union/Schengen Area travellers as well as those who reach Belgium from a third country that is placed on the white list, are permitted entry to the country as long as they present valid COVID-19 proof.
This means that travellers from the EU/Schengen Area and those from safe-listed third countries can enter Belgium without being required to follow any additional rules, provided that they hold a valid vaccination, recovery, or test certificate.
On the other hand, the Belgian authorities have emphasised that stricter rules apply to the nationals of the remaining third countries that are not included on the safe list.
Travellers from third countries that are not part of the safe list can only enter Belgium if they present a valid vaccination or recovery certificate.
Travellers from third countries who have not been vaccinated or recovered from the virus are permitted entry to Belgium only if they have an essential reason for their trip and if they undergo pre-entry testing.
In addition, apart from having to present one of the documents mentioned above, travellers from third countries are also required to fill out the Passenger Locator Form if they travel by train, bus, boat, or plane.
Regarding the validity period of COVID-19 passes, Belgium applies the same rules as the other EU countries. A vaccination certificate is only accepted if it proves that the holder has completed primary vaccination with one of the approved vaccine doses in the last 270 days or if the holder has received an additional vaccine dose.
On the other hand, Belgium recognises only recovery certificates that prove that the holder recovered from the virus in the last 180 days.
As for the negative COVID tests, the Belgian authorities explain that the country accepts both PCR and rapid antigen tests. The PCR test must be taken within 72 hours before arrival in Belgium, and the rapid antigen test must be taken within 24 hours before arrival.
Even though Belgium still requires travellers to meet entry rules, the country has already dropped the majority of its domestic COVID-19 restrictions.
While in Belgium, travellers are no longer required to present a COVID pass when accessing different public places and events, such as bars, restaurants, and cafes, among others. The requirement to wear a face mask has also been lifted.
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