Do UK citizens need a visa for Belgium?

No, UK citizens do not need a visa for short tourist or business trips to Belgium (Schengen Area) for up to 90 days in any 180-day period, provided you have a valid British passport, but you must meet other entry conditions like having funds and return tickets; longer stays or specific travel documents (like some UK Refugee Travel Documents) may require a visa.

Do UK citizens need ETIAS for Belgium?

You'll need an ETIAS if: You are not a citizen of an EU country. You are from a country whose nationals do not need a visa for short stays in the Schengen Area. You do not hold a residence permit or residence card issued by a European country requiring ETIAS.

Do UK passport holders need a visa for the EU?

No, UK citizens do not need a visa for short tourist trips (up to 90 days in 180) to the EU/Schengen Area, but starting in late 2026/early 2027, they will need to apply for a new ETIAS visa-waiver authorization online before traveling, similar to the US ESTA system, and will also face new EES border checks. For longer stays or different purposes (work, study), specific visas are required. 

Do Belgians need a visa to go to the UK?

Learn more: United Kingdom eTA for Belgian passport holders

Travelers visiting the UK for under six months require an Elecronic Travel Authorization (ETA). Travelers can submit an ETA application online. Once the application is approved, travelers receive their ETA confirmation electronically.

Can I go to Belgium with an UK passport?

Visa requirements

You can travel without a visa to the Schengen area, which includes Belgium, for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. This applies if you travel: as a tourist. to visit family or friends.

Do I Need Visa For Belgium With UK Travel Document? - Western Europe Explorer

Will EU citizens require an ETA for UK travel starting April 2025?

Yes, as of April 2, 2025, citizens from the European Union (EU) and European Economic Area (EEA), plus Switzerland, need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) for short visits to the UK, applying from March 5, 2025, through the official GOV.UK website or the ETA app. This digital permit allows stays of up to six months and is for non-visa nationals, replacing the need for a visa for most short trips, with Irish citizens generally exempt.

What date in 2025 does ETIAS start?

EES started on 12 October 2025. It will be introduced in phases, building towards being fully operational by 10 April 2026. You won't need an ETIAS for travel this year. The EU is looking to introduce ETIAS towards the end of 2026.

Does an EU citizen need a visa to enter the UK?

Citizens from the EU , Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein (except Irish citizens) need an electronic travel authorisation ( ETA ) to travel to the UK without a visa. Under the UK 's points-based immigration system, you can continue to visit the UK without applying for a visa.

Do British citizens need a visa for Europe in 2025?

Once approved, the ETIAS visa waiver is linked to the electronic chip inside the traveler's passport. The EU visa waiver will be verified when the passport is scanned at the exterior border. ETIAS will be a mandatory entry requirement for UK nationals once it becomes available in mid-2025.

How much is an ETIAS visa for UK citizens?

You can fill in the application form using either this official ETIAS website or the ETIAS mobile application. Applying for the ETIAS travel authorisation costs EUR 20, though some travellers are exempt from paying this fee.

What countries are visa free for UK citizens?

Visa-Free Countries for UK Passport Holders

• Albania. Andorra. Austria. Belarus. Belgium. ...
• Armenia. Brunei. Georgia. Hong Kong. Japan. ...
• Anguilla. Antigua and Barbuda. Aruba. Bahamas. Barbados. ...
• Argentina. Bolivia. Brazil. Chile. Ecuador. ...
• Cook Islands. Fiji. French Polynesia. Kiribati. Marshall Islands. ...
• Angola. Botswana. Cabo Verde. Eswatini. Gambia.

Do I need an ETIAS to travel to Belgium in 2025?

ETIAS will start operations in the last quarter of 2026.

No action is required from travellers at this point. The European Union will inform about the specific date for the start of ETIAS several months prior to its launch.

Do UK citizens need both EES and ETIAS?

Starting 2026, you'll need an ETIAS before traveling to most European countries. Additionally, the EES (Entry/Exit System) will be introduced alongside ETIAS to further enhance border security and track movements more efficiently.

What documents do I need to enter Belgium?

You must have a valid passport issued by your country of origin (for citizens of some countries, an identity card will suffice). You must have a visa if you need one to enter Belgium. You can get one from the Belgian embassy or consulate responsible for your place of residence.

Do I need a visa to travel in Europe for 2 weeks?

An ETIAS application is required for any short-term (less than 90 days) travel to the EU, including travel for business, pleasure, medical purposes, or if you are transiting through the EU en route to a further destination.

Where can I find the official ETIAS website?

ETIAS.COM is your source for the latest news, requirements and analysis.

Is ETIAS in use yet?

ETIAS is the new travel authorisation for visa-exempt travellers to enter 30 European countries. ETIAS will start operations in the last quarter of 2026. No action is required from travellers at this point.

Do I need etias to travel to Europe in May 2025?

Starting in May 2025, travelers from over 60 visa- exempt countries, including the U.S., will need to obtain an ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System) authorization to enter most European countries.

Are visa slots open for fall 2025?

For Fall 2025, F1 visa slots for Indian students will start to open around June or July, though there might be a few slots available in May. It is advisable to book your F1 visa slots for fall 2025 up to 120 days before your course starts.

How far in advance is ETIAS?

You should apply for an ETIAS authorization well in advance of your trip, ideally before booking your ticket or accommodation. While most applications are processed within minutes, in some cases, additional documents or an interview may be required, which can extend the process by up to 30 days.

Can I apply for ETIAS now?

No, you cannot apply for ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) yet, as it is not operational; it's scheduled to start in the last quarter of 2026, with applications opening a few months prior via an official website or app, requiring a €20 fee for most travelers. 

How to apply for ETIAS in the UK?

For UK citizens, the ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) application will become mandatory in late 2026 for short stays (up to 90 days) in most European countries, involving a simple online form on the official EU website for a €20 fee, requiring a valid passport, email, and payment card, with most approvals coming quickly but sometimes taking longer. You'll provide personal, passport, and security details, and it's best to apply well in advance of your trip.