ETIAS Belgium: Travel Authorization to Visit Belgium

As the capital of the European Union and the headquarters of NATO, Brussels is one of Europe’s most international cities. Every year, Belgium welcomes millions of visitors to its medieval cities—Bruges, Ghent, and Antwerp—as well as for its cuisine and European institutions. Starting with the launch of ETIAS in the fourth quarter of 2026, nationals of visa-exempt countries—Americans, British, Canadians, Australians, and about 60 other nationalities—will need to obtain an ETIAS authorization before any stay in Belgium. This authorization is valid throughout the Schengen Area: a single ETIAS is sufficient to visit Belgium and other European countries during the same trip.

Key Information on ETIAS for Belgium

Who needs to obtain an ETIAS to visit Belgium?

ETIAS is mandatory for nationals of visa-exempt countries wishing to enter Belgium. This includes citizens of the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Japan, South Korea, Brazil, and some 60 other countries. Belgium also hosts a large number of foreign civil servants, diplomats, and lobbyists associated with European institutions—those whose nationality is subject to ETIAS must obtain authorization before each stay, unless they hold a special status issued by an EU institution.

European Union citizens do not need an ETIAS—they are entitled to freedom of movement. Check the full list of nationalities covered by ETIAS to verify your status. If your nationality requires a Schengen visa, you must apply for a standard visa rather than an ETIAS—see our page on the difference between ETIAS and the Schengen visa.

Border authorities in Belgium: the Federal Police and the Immigration Office

In Belgium, control of the Schengen Area’s external borders is carried out by the Federal Police, specifically by its specialized division: the Aviation Police. This unit operates at the country’s six Schengen airports and is responsible for external border controls, detecting forged documents, combating human trafficking, and enforcing immigration policy. In particular, it uses E-gates —automated border control gates—to streamline the processing of travelers.

The Immigration Office, which is part of the Federal Public Service for the Interior, plays a supporting role in all matters concerning decisions regarding the entry, residence, and removal of foreign nationals. The two agencies work closely together during inspections, particularly at Brussels-National and Charleroi airports. Upon entry into Belgium, officers will check your passport and verify the validity of your ETIAS authorization.

Major airports of entry in Belgium

Belgium set a new airport traffic record in 2025 with 36.4 million passengers, up 4.5% from 2024 and surpassing the pre-pandemic record set in 2019 for the first time. The Belgian airport network is based on two main hubs and several regional airports.

Brussels-National (BRU) is the main international gateway, offering direct flights to New York, Washington, Montreal, Toronto, Chicago, São Paulo, Beijing, Tokyo, and many other intercontinental destinations via Brussels Airlines and its partner airlines. Charleroi (CRL), Ryanair’s main hub in Belgium, primarily offers low-cost European destinations and is often used by travelers coming from Paris or northern France.

Stopover in Belgium: Do You Need an ETIAS?

Brussels-National is a hub for intercontinental flights, particularly from Sub-Saharan Africa, the Congo, and other Central African countries, to which Brussels Airlines operates an extensive network. Many travelers stop over there before continuing on to other destinations in Europe.

If your layover in Brussels involves passing through Schengen border controls —which is the case for the vast majority of connecting flights—you will need a valid ETIAS authorization. However, if you remain in the international transit area without crossing the Schengen border, ETIAS is not required for the connection itself. Visit our page on transit in Europe and ETIAS to learn the detailed rules for your itinerary.

Belgium, home to the European institutions

Brussels is home to the headquarters of the European Commission, the Council of the European Union, and the European Parliament (which holds its plenary sessions in Strasbourg). It is also from Brussels that policies related to ETIAS are coordinated; ETIAS is developed and managed by eu-LISA, the European agency responsible for large-scale IT systems in the area of freedom, security, and justice. As such, Belgium plays a central institutional role in the implementation of ETIAS. For official information on ETIAS, visit the official ETIAS website.

The ETIAS for Belgium is valid throughout the Schengen Area

An ETIAS authorization obtained for travel to Belgium is valid in all 30 countries of the Schengen Area. If your itinerary includes visits to Belgium, the Netherlands, and France, a single authorization is sufficient. For more information on all the requirements for traveling in Europe, see our comprehensive guide.

Frequently Asked Questions About ETIAS for Belgium