Belgium entry requirements for United Arab Emirates passport holders
Checked daily · Updated May 25, 2026·View sources
No visa required
90 days
Max stay
90 days
Passport validity
6 months
Beyond entry date
Return ticket
Required
Or onward travel proof
Proof of funds
Recommended
May be checked
UAE passport holders can enter Belgium without a visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. This covers tourism, business meetings, and short visits. No visa application is needed for stays under 90 days in 2026.
Entry requirements
| Requirement | Details | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Valid passport Must be valid for the entire stay in Belgium | Your passport needs to be valid for the entire time you plan to stay in Belgium. Schengen rules do not require 6 months beyond departure, but your airline might enforce it — check with them before flying. | Required |
| Return or onward ticket Proof of departure from the Schengen area | Immigration at Brussels Airport routinely asks for a return or onward ticket showing you leave the Schengen zone within 90 days. Have a printed or digital copy ready — they check this before stamping you in. | Required |
| Proof of accommodation Hotel booking or host invitation | Carry a hotel confirmation or an invitation letter from your host in Belgium. Border officers sometimes ask for it, especially if you arrive without a clear itinerary. | Recommended |
| Proof of funds Show you can support yourself during the stay | Have a bank statement or credit card showing access to roughly €50–€100 per day of your stay. Officers rarely ask for it, but it helps if you look under-prepared. | Recommended |
90-day limit applies to all Schengen countries
Your 90-day visa-free stay is for the entire Schengen Area (29 European countries). If you've already spent time in France, Germany, or any other Schengen country, that counts toward your 90 days. Track your days carefully — overstaying can lead to fines and entry bans.
Travel insurance is not mandatory but highly recommended
While Belgian immigration rarely asks for proof of insurance, medical costs in Belgium are high. A simple hospital visit can cost €200–€500. A travel insurance policy covering medical expenses and repatriation costs as little as €20–€50 for a short trip. Get one before you go.
What happens at the border
1
Arrive at Brussels Airport or other Schengen entry point
You'll go through Schengen passport control. Join the 'All Passports' queue. Have your passport, return ticket, and accommodation confirmation ready. The officer will check your passport validity, stamp it, and ask a few questions (purpose of visit, length of stay). Answer honestly and briefly.
2
Receive entry stamp
The officer stamps your passport with the date of entry. This stamp starts your 90-day clock. Check the stamp before leaving the counter — if it's missing or unclear, ask for a correction.
3
Collect luggage and exit
After passport control, proceed to baggage claim, then customs. There's usually no customs check for personal items. You're free to enter Belgium.
Download Belgium Entry Checklist
PDF · United Arab Emirates Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated May 25, 2026
Overstay calculator
Enter your arrival date and we'll tell you exactly when you need to leave.
Staying longer & fees
Visa options if you want to stay beyond the free limit:
Tourist visa (single entry)
Max stay90 days
Validity3 months from issue date
Cost€80 (~$87 USD)
For longer stays or if visa-free entry is not used. Apply at Belgian embassy.
Tourist visa (multiple entry)
Max stay90 days per entry
ValidityUp to 1 year
Cost€80 (~$87 USD)
Allows multiple visits within validity. Same fee as single entry.
Long-stay visa (D visa)
Max stayOver 90 days (up to 1 year)
ValidityUp to 1 year
Cost€180 (~$196 USD)
For work, study, or family reunification. Requires sponsorship.
work visa
Belgian Work Visa (Single Permit)
Up to 3 years, renewable
€180 (~$196 USD) application fee
For skilled workers with a job offer. Requires employer sponsorship and labour market test. Allows family reunification.
Apply student visa
Belgian Student Visa (D visa)
Up to 1 year, renewable annually
€180 (~$196 USD) application fee
For full-time study at a recognised institution. Must show proof of enrolment and sufficient funds. Allows part-time work.
Apply investor visa
Belgian Investor Visa (Professional Card)
Up to 5 years, renewable
€1,200 (~$1,308 USD) application fee
For entrepreneurs investing at least €500,000 in Belgium. Requires a viable business plan and job creation. Fast-track for high investments.
Apply digital nomad visa
Belgium Digital Nomad Visa (under development)
Not yet available
N/A
Belgium does not currently offer a dedicated digital nomad visa. Remote workers typically use tourist visa or apply for a work visa if employed locally.
Other fees
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Tourist visa (single entry)For stays beyond 90 days or if visa is required. | €80 (~$87 USD) |
| Tourist visa (multiple entry)Same fee as single entry, but allows multiple entries within validity. | €80 (~$87 USD) |
| Overstay fine per dayPenalty for overstaying visa-free period; enforced at departure. | €5 per day (~$5.45 USD), max €500 (~$545 USD) |
Common reasons for entry denial
Insufficient funds for stay30%
No return ticket25%
Suspicious travel pattern20%
Approval probability calculator
Answer 6 quick questions — we'll estimate how likely you are to be approved for entry based on typical immigration patterns.
Transiting through Belgium
No transit visa needed
UAE passport holders do not need a transit visa to change planes at Belgian airports, provided they remain airside and have a confirmed onward ticket.
Airside transitAllowed
Exceptions & conditions
- No visa needed for any nationality for airside transit in Belgium.
Transit hubsBrussels Airport (BRU) · Brussels South Charleroi Airport (CRL) · Antwerp International Airport (ANR)
Health & vaccines for Belgium
Recommended vaccines
Routine vaccines (MMR, DTaP, polio, varicella, influenza)EssentialHepatitis ARecommendedHepatitis BRecommendedRabies (for travellers with outdoor exposure)Consider
Health risks
Tick-borne encephalitisLow risk
Rare but present in forested areas; vaccination recommended for hikers.
Lyme diseaseLow risk
Transmitted by ticks in wooded areas; use repellent and check for ticks.
Food and waterborne diseasesLow risk
Standard hygiene precautions sufficient; tap water is safe.
Based on CDC and WHO guidance. Consult a travel medicine clinic 4–6 weeks before departure for personalised advice.
Immigration offices for extensions
Brussels
Immigration Office (Office des Étrangers)
Chaussée de Wavre 100, 1050 Brussels
Mon–Fri 08:30–16:30
Main office for visa extensions and residence permits. Appointments required.
Antwerp
Antwerp Immigration Office
Lange Kievitstraat 125, 2018 Antwerp
Mon–Fri 09:00–16:00
Handles local residence matters. Bring all original documents.
Practical information for AE travellers
Country basics
CapitalBrussels
LanguageDutch, French, German
Driving sideRight-hand traffic
US driving licenceUS visitors can drive with a valid US driver's license for up to 90 days.
Money
CurrencyEuro (EUR)
Exchange rate
1 USD = 0.86 EUR
Time zone
Local timeUTC+1
vs New York+6h
vs Los Angeles+9h
Electricity
Voltage230V / 50Hz
Plug types
C,EType C (two round pins) and Type E (two round pins with a hole for the male grounding pin)
⚠ US adapter needed
Water & health
Tap water
Safe to drink
Tap water is safe to drink throughout Belgium.
Emergency numbers
Frequently asked questions
Up to 90 days within any 180-day period. This is for the entire Schengen Area, not just Belgium. If you've already spent time in other Schengen countries, that counts toward your 90 days.
No. The visa-free stay cannot be extended for tourism or business. If you need to stay longer, you must apply for a long-stay visa (type D) from the Belgian embassy in the UAE before traveling.
For stays under 90 days, no registration is required. If you stay longer (with a visa), you must register at the local commune (town hall) within 8 days of arrival.
You will be denied entry. Renew your passport before traveling. The 6-month validity is strictly enforced at Schengen borders.
No. Visa-free entry is for tourism, business meetings, and short-term visits only. Any paid work requires a work permit and a long-stay visa.
Overstaying can result in a fine, a ban from the Schengen Area, and difficulty getting future visas. The fine varies by country but can be several hundred euros. Leave before day 90.
If you stay airside (don't pass through passport control) and your layover is under 24 hours, you generally don't need a visa. But if you need to enter Belgium (e.g., to switch airports or stay overnight), the visa-free rules apply — you can enter for up to 90 days.
Official sources
Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on May 25, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.