Indian nationals holding a full valid Indian passport require a Schengen visa to enter Belgium.

For more information regarding visas please consult following website: www.vfs-be-in.com

Calling Belgium from abroad

Dial 00 + Country Code 32 + City Code:
Antwerp: 3
Bruges: 50
Brussels: 2
Ghent: 9
Leuven:16
Mechelen: 15
Ostend: 59

Banking Hours

Banks are open Monday through Friday, 9:00am - 4:00pm and are closed on Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays. Some banks close for an hour during lunch.

Credit Cards & ATM

All major cards are accepted (i.e.: Visa, American Express, Diners Club and Eurocard) as well as Travellers’ Cheques. ATM machines are available in all major cities.

Currency

Money can be changed in banks, at airports, at main railway stations and in exchange offices. The Belgian currency unit is the EURO (Euro) €. Euro notes are issued in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 euros. Coins come in denominations of 1 and 2 Euro, and 5, 10, 20, 50, 1 and 2 cent pieces. Many foreign exchange offices open on Sundays. Foreign exchange traffic is not regulated. There is no limit on the amount of foreign currency which may be brought in or out of the country.

Parking

Generally, throughout Belgium, there is a charge for parking. Parking meters or ticket machines take Euros.

Some streets have "blue-zones" where parking is only allowed for a limited period of time and a parking disk has to be obtained and displayed.

Language

The official language in Flanders is Dutch (Flemish), Brussels is bi-lingual and English is widely spoken.

Shopping

Shops are open from Monday - Saturday 10am - 6pm. Most shops are closed on Sundays. Department stores often remain open longer, up to 21:00 on Fridays. Souvenir shops are open on Sundays during the tourist season. Bakeries and patisseries also open on Sunday mornings.

Electricity

AC.220 volts. Plugs are continental 2-pin round.

Tips, VAT & Taxes

Tips are always included in restaurant, hotel and taxi prices. Of course, you can add a little extra should you feel the service warrants an extra reward.
In restaurants, service charges and VAT included in the price.

Museums and Galleries

Many museums and galleries are closed on Mondays. Check their website to find out opening times.

What language do they speak?

The official language spoken in Flanders is Dutch. English is widely spoken

The weather

Seldom too hot or too cold. Summer temperatures average from 54° F to 72° F and winter averages from 32° F to 43° F. In summer bring lightweight, comfortable clothing, and a sweater or a jacket for the evening. During the winter bring warm clothes, and it is always a good idea to pack an umbrella and a rain coat.

What type of plug adaptor do I need?

A.C. 220 volts - 50 cycles. Plugs are of the round 2-pin type.

What’s the accommodation and food like?

All hotels, from small charming properties to international chain hotels, assure that a quality experience awaits you. Take advantage of up to 50% discount on hotel rates in Brussels on weekends and during July and August.

Every type of gourmet cuisine in the world is on the menu. You can delight in fine chocolates, munch on fries with mayo, savor fresh mussels from the North Sea and then wash it all down with the country’s diverse variety of beer – over 500 available. Anyway you slice it, everyone leaves the table satisfied.

What about transfers from the airport?

Train shuttle service is located on the lower level of Brussels International Airport and connects to the North, South & Central stations of Brussels. The 20 minute train ride departs every 20 minutes and costs approximately $4.00. Taxi service is available from the airport to the city center and costs approximately $50.

How do I get around Flanders and how far apart are the cities?

An extensive rail network connects all of Flanders. Purchase train tickets after you arrive in Flanders.

Tips

Tips are included in the final price. It is up to the client to give a tip or not (10 to 15% of the final price)