TOURIST
ATTRACTIONSPersonal Safety and Security
Except for certain neighbourhoods in central Brussels and the outer edge of Antwerp (the port and docks), Belgium is a safe country. Belgians are generally helpful towards strangers in general.
Take normal, common sense precautions to avoid becoming a victim of crime. Take only the minimum amount of cash, credit cards and personal ID necessary when you go out. Leave valuables and documents in a secure place. Avoid carrying money, credit cards and your passport in the same bag or pocket.
In the event of theft, contact the nearest police station and obtain a police report. This report is mandatory when applying for a replacement passport or insurance claim.
You should be extra vigilant at major railway stations, on the underground, buses and trams, particularly late at night.
Never leave luggage unattended. There have been reports of luggage being stolen from the racks at the end of carriages in high-speed trains, usually just before the doors close in readiness for the train to depart.
Do not leave valuables such as purses, bags or mobile phones visible in your car, even when you are in it. Keep car doors locked and windows secure at all times. It is increasingly common for thieves, usually on motorbikes, to break a window and snatch valuables from the front or back passenger seat when the vehicle is stationary at traffic lights.
Driving Tips
If you wish to drive in Belgium you must have a valid international driving licence, insurance and vehicle documents. If you are driving a vehicle that does not belong to you then written permission from the registered owner may also be requested.
Belgian roads are generally in good condition and at night are well lit, including the motorway network. Traffic is fast and Belgium’s accident rate is high mainly due to speeding. Traffic signs are always in the local language only (either Dutch or French), except in Brussels, where they're bilingual.
Since 1 February 2007 the following road regulations were brought into place:
If it is raining, hailing or snowing, vehicles of 7.5 tonnes or over are not allowed to overtake on motorways, highways or roads with a minimum of four lanes.
Vehicles of 3.5 tonnes or over are not allowed to use the left lane on roads with more than three lanes. An exception is made when traffic approaches a fork in the motorway and vehicles have to move to the left or right hand lanes depending on their destination.
The maximum speed for vehicles of 3.5 tonnes or over is now 90km/hr on motorways and highways of 2 x 2 lanes or more.
If your vehicle breaks down and you are on the hard shoulder of the motorway, you must now wear a fluorescent jacket.
Drivers must give absolute priority to vehicles joining a road from the right, even if they have stopped at a road junction or stopped for pedestrians or cyclists. Exemptions to this rule include motorways, roundabouts, roads sign-posted with an orange diamond within a white background, and drivers who are attempting to join a road after having driven down a street in the wrong direction.
Trams and buses have priority over other traffic. If a tram or bus stops in the middle of the road to allow passengers on or off, you must stop.
There is a speed restriction of 30 kms/hr in school areas, which is valid 24 hours (even when schools are closed). The start and finish of these zones are not always clearly marked.
Do not drink and drive, frequent alcohol checks are made, in daytime as well as at night. A maximum of 0.22 mg/l (0.5 promille) is allowed. A blood sample will be taken if you refuse to be breathalysed. Fines vary depending on the degree of intoxication. In certain cases driving licences have been confiscated immediately.
Using a mobile 'phone while driving (excepting hands-free ones) is not allowed and will incur a heavy fine.
Except for certain neighbourhoods in central Brussels and the outer edge of Antwerp (the port and docks), Belgium is a safe country. Belgians are generally helpful towards strangers in general.
Take normal, common sense precautions to avoid becoming a victim of crime. Take only the minimum amount of cash, credit cards and personal ID necessary when you go out. Leave valuables and documents in a secure place. Avoid carrying money, credit cards and your passport in the same bag or pocket.
In the event of theft, contact the nearest police station and obtain a police report. This report is mandatory when applying for a replacement passport or insurance claim.
You should be extra vigilant at major railway stations, on the underground, buses and trams, particularly late at night.
Never leave luggage unattended. There have been reports of luggage being stolen from the racks at the end of carriages in high-speed trains, usually just before the doors close in readiness for the train to depart.
Do not leave valuables such as purses, bags or mobile phones visible in your car, even when you are in it. Keep car doors locked and windows secure at all times. It is increasingly common for thieves, usually on motorbikes, to break a window and snatch valuables from the front or back passenger seat when the vehicle is stationary at traffic lights.
Driving Tips
If you wish to drive in Belgium you must have a valid international driving licence, insurance and vehicle documents. If you are driving a vehicle that does not belong to you then written permission from the registered owner may also be requested.
Belgian roads are generally in good condition and at night are well lit, including the motorway network. Traffic is fast and Belgium’s accident rate is high mainly due to speeding. Traffic signs are always in the local language only (either Dutch or French), except in Brussels, where they're bilingual.
Since 1 February 2007 the following road regulations were brought into place:
If it is raining, hailing or snowing, vehicles of 7.5 tonnes or over are not allowed to overtake on motorways, highways or roads with a minimum of four lanes.
Vehicles of 3.5 tonnes or over are not allowed to use the left lane on roads with more than three lanes. An exception is made when traffic approaches a fork in the motorway and vehicles have to move to the left or right hand lanes depending on their destination.
The maximum speed for vehicles of 3.5 tonnes or over is now 90km/hr on motorways and highways of 2 x 2 lanes or more.
If your vehicle breaks down and you are on the hard shoulder of the motorway, you must now wear a fluorescent jacket.
Drivers must give absolute priority to vehicles joining a road from the right, even if they have stopped at a road junction or stopped for pedestrians or cyclists. Exemptions to this rule include motorways, roundabouts, roads sign-posted with an orange diamond within a white background, and drivers who are attempting to join a road after having driven down a street in the wrong direction.
Trams and buses have priority over other traffic. If a tram or bus stops in the middle of the road to allow passengers on or off, you must stop.
There is a speed restriction of 30 kms/hr in school areas, which is valid 24 hours (even when schools are closed). The start and finish of these zones are not always clearly marked.
Do not drink and drive, frequent alcohol checks are made, in daytime as well as at night. A maximum of 0.22 mg/l (0.5 promille) is allowed. A blood sample will be taken if you refuse to be breathalysed. Fines vary depending on the degree of intoxication. In certain cases driving licences have been confiscated immediately.
Using a mobile 'phone while driving (excepting hands-free ones) is not allowed and will incur a heavy fine.
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