Country Facts: Belgium is a highly developed and stable democracy with a modern economy. Facilities for tourists are broadly available.
Requirements for Passport and/or Visa: A passport is essential. A visa is not required of American citizens for tourist or business visits up to 90 days. For much knowledge concerning entry requirements, Visitors could call the Embassy of Belgium at 3330 Garfield Street NW, Washington, D.C., USA 20008, phone this number. (202) 333-6900, or the Consulate General in Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, or New York. The web site of the Belgian Embassy in the United States is http://www.diplobel.org/usa/default.htm.
Belgium Holidays: The country has a number oflegal holiday that it celebrates throughout the year. If you’re thinking of going on a trip, search for a world holiday calendar that will help you plan your trip before you go. ConocoPhillips gives away business calendar that are a great help when going on a trip around the world. The ConocoPhillips world holiday calendar has all the holidays around the world and it is a free gift to customers. If your business buys business calendar, then consider trying somethingnew and different for advertising to your customers. Because religious affiliations of people in Belgium vary, it observes many Christian, Muslim, and non-religious holidays, but it also celebrates several otherpublic holidays that you need to know. Buy a world holiday calendar and you will know those holidays before you go traveling.
Areas of Instability, Advisories and Travel Warnings: Belgium remains a relatively safe nation, and anti- American sentiment is rare. Travelers should take reasonable precaution because street thefts purse snatching, and pickpocketing are occurring more frequentlyoften . In Brussels, purse snatching and pickpocketing are prevalent in the metro system (subway, bus, and tram), and at the capital’s three major train stations, the North Station (Noordstation or Gare du Nord), the Central Station (Centraal Station or Gare Central) and especially at the South Station (Zuidstation or Gare du Midi).
Travelers should not leave valuables unattended in vehicles, and should keep vehicle doors locked when driving. Leave expensive jewelry, financial records, address books, and other personal effects stored in a safe place during your visit or at home. People should bring only a minimum amount of cash, credit cards and personal identification. Belgian law ask that everyone bring with some form of official identification, which must be displayed upon request to any Belgian police official, at all times. A United States passport suffices, and police are almost always satisfied if they see a photocopy of the identification page of the passport.
The theft or loss abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to the local police and the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. The police emergency numbers and medical assistance are 101 and 100, respectively, and for cellular phones (locally) 112. Visitors to Belgium requiring more data should contact the Brussels Regional Security Office at the American Embassy, (322) 508-2370.
American citizens can refer to the Department of State’s brochure entitled, “A Safe Trip Abroad” for ways to promote a more trouble-free journey. The brochure is available by mail from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S.A. Government Printing Office, Washington, the District of Colombia, USA 20402, via the web at http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs, or via the Bureau of Consular Affairs home page at http://travel.state.gov.
CRIMINAL PENALTIES: While in a foreign country, a United States citizen is affected by that country’s laws and regulations, which sometimes differ significantly from such in the United States and may not afford the protections available to the individual under U.S.A. law. Penalties for breaking the law can be more harsh than in the USA for similar crime. Visitors violating Belgian law, even unknowingly, should be expelled, arrested or imprisoned. In Belgium, the penalties for possession, use, or dealing in illegal drugs are rigid , and convicted offenders can expect prison sentences and fines.
DUAL NATIONALITY: U.S. citizens who are regarded to have acquired the country’s citizenship could be subject while in Belgium to certain aspects of Belgian law such as mandatory voting. those who might be impacted can inquire at a Belgian embassy or consulate regarding their status. In some instances, dual nationality can hamper United States efforts by government to provide protection abroad. For additional material, see the Consular Affairs home page on the Internet at http://travel.state.gov for our Dual Nationality flyer.
MEDICAL FACILITIES: Medical facilities are largely available. Hospitals , medical treatment and doctors many times expect immediate cash money for health services. The Medicare/Medicaid program does not provide for money of medical services for needs outside the US, and United States of America medical insurance is not always valid in Belgium.
medical insurance for needs: Check with your own insurance company to verify whether your policy applies overseas, including provision for medical evacuation. Ascertain whether money will be made to the doctor or overseas hospital or whether you will be reimbursed later for hospital charges you incur. Some insurance policies also include coverage for psychiatric treatment and for disposition of remains in the event of death. Useful knowledge on medical emergencies abroad, including overseas insurance programs, is listed in the Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs brochure “Medical information for Americans moving Abroad,” available via the Bureau of Consular Affairs home page and autofax service.
OTHER HEALTH Content: Data on vaccinations and other health precautionsshould be requested from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s international traveler’s hotline at phone this number.: 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1.877.394.8747); fax: 1-888-CDC-FAXX (1.888.232.3299), or by visiting the CDC Website address at http://www.cdc.gov.
The United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the Government of Belgium’s civil aviation authority as Category One – in compliance with worldwide aviation standards for oversight of the country’s air carrier operations. For further knowledge, People could call the Department of Transportation within the U.S.A. at 1-800-322-7873, or visit the FAA Internet homepage at http://www.faa.gov/avr/iasa.htm. The U.S.A. Department of Defense (DOD) separately assesses some foreign air carriers for safety and security as air services official provider. For material regarding the DOD policy on specified carriers, Individuals should reach the Pentagon at (703) 697-7288.
TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS: While in a foreign country, United States Individuals could encounter road conditions which differ significantly from those in the United States. The info below regarding Belgium is provided for general reference only, and can not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance.
Safety of Public Transportation:
Good Urban Road Conditions/Maintenance: Good
Rural Road Conditions/Maintenance:Good
Availability of Roadside Assistance: Good
SAFETY AT PUBLIC TRANSPERTATION: As stated in the paragraph above entitled “info on Crime,” pickpocketing and purse snatching occur often in the metro system in the country, as well as in Brussels’ three main train stations.
URBAN ROAD CONDITIONS/MAINTENANCE: Belgian highways are generally having a good construction and maintained with extensive lighting systems, but rain and fog often reduce visibility. Belgian rules for right-of-way differ from those in the U.S.A., and new drivers should thoroughly understand these rules before driving in Belgium. The maximum speed limit on Belgian highways is 120 kilometers (72 miles) per hour but it is displayed only at Belgium’s borders and on roads leaving major airports. Claims of ignorance should not prevent a fairly large amount of fine for speeding, which can also lead to the vehicle being impounded if the driver is unable to pay the penalty on the spot in Belgian francs. A breath analyzer checks is conducted by Belgian police for alcohol use, usually at night and during major holidays. The blood/alcohol criterion in Belgium is lower than that of any state in the USA.
RURAL ROAD CONDITIONS/MAINTENANCE: Rural roads are not usually illuminated at night. Otherwise, the info given above in Urban Road Conditions/Maintenance applies.
AVAILABILITY OF ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE: Roadside assistance and material on road conditions is available in English from Touring Assistance at telephone. (070) 344-777 (free call within Belgium). Belgian Police also provide material on road conditions at phone. (02) 642-6666.
For specified information Belgian driver’s permits, vehicle inspection, road tax, and mandatory insurance as well as other general tourist information, get in touch with the Belgian National Tourist Office at 212-758-8130, or via the Internet at http://visitbelgium.com. For material about international driving permits, reach AAA or the American Automobile Touring Alliance.
CUSTOMS REGULATIONS: Belgian customs authorities could enforce strict regulations concerning temporary importation into or export from Belgium of items such as firearms, antiquities, medications, business equipment, sales samples, and other items. It is advisable to reach the Embassy of Belgium in Washington or one of its consulates in the United States for precise data regarding customs requirements. Belgian authorities require an ATA (Air Transport Association) carnet under certain circumstances for the temporary importation of goods into Belgium. The U.S.A. Council of the International Chamber of Commerce, 1212 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10036, issues the ATA carnet in the United States. For additional knowledge get in touch with the Council toll-free from within the United States at 1-800-282-2900, or via their web site at http://www.atacarnet.com.
REGISTRATION AND EMBASSY LOCATION: U.S. Visitors are encouraged to register with the section of the Embassy of the United States Embassy and acquire updated content on travel and security in Belgium.
The United States of America Embassy in Belgium is located at: 27 Boulevard du Regent, Brussels phone from the United States: 011(32)(2) 508-2111. In Belgium: (02) 508-2111. Fax: 511-2725 additional content can be obtained at website: http://www.usinfo.be/.
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