How to Apply for ETIAS for Belgium in 2026

Millions of travelers head to Belgium every year. For some of these travelers, a visa is required. Others? Just a passport will do. However, starting in late 2026, that is changing.

If you've been able to enjoy visa-free travel to Belgium, you may soon be required to apply with the European Travel Information and Authorisation System. ETIAS, for short.

While it's not in effect now, the countdown has begun, which means it may be the next time you travel to Brussels, Bruges, Ghent, or anywhere else you're traveling to in Belgium.

Getting an ETIAS for Belgium

From the end of 2026 on, travelers who do not hold a Schengen visa/citizenship will need ETIAS.

This means that citizens from the US, UK, Canada, and dozens of other countries will have to apply for one before they head to Belgium. This can come as a surprise to travelers who are used to just grabbing their passports and going.

Some of the travelers this new requirement affects are:

• US citizens
• UK citizens
• Canadian citizens
• Travelers from outside of the EU who do not require a Schengen visa to travel to Belgium.

If you are not a citizen of a visa-exempt country (such as China or India), you do not need ETIAS to visit Europe. Instead, you need a Schengen visa.

Exemptions

To visit Belgium, most visa-exempt travelers will have to apply for ETIAS once it has fully gone into effect. Still, there are some exemptions.

If you are a diplomat or hold refugee status, you may be exempt. If you're an EU dual citizen, you are exempt. Those with Schengen visas, long-stay visas for Schengen countries, and EU/Schengen citizens and legal residents are also exempt.

There may be other exemptions too, so make sure to check the official ETIAS website for the entire list.

If you're not sure if you need a visa to enter Belgium, you can learn more in our Belgium Visa Guide.

How to apply for ETIAS for Belgium

Note: ETIAS isn't in effect yet.

Once ETIAS has launched and is required, you'll need to apply for authorization before traveling to Belgium. Thankfully, the entire process is online and should only take a handful of minutes.

While the exact application process has yet to be publicized, details about what it will entail have.

You'll be able to apply on the EU's ETIAS website or through their mobile application.

This isn't like a visa application, where documents like birth certificates, marriage licenses, and bank statements are required. That said, you'll need to:

• Share details about your upcoming trip to Belgium.
• Provide personal information like your name, nationality, and passport number.
• Answer a few questions about your personal history. These questions include your current occupation, your parents' names, and any past criminal convictions.

You'll also be prompted to pay the fee. Unfortunately, like other requirements around the globe (the US's ESTA, the UK's ETA, for example), ETIAS isn't free. Though if you're under the age of 18 or over 70, the fee is waived.

For everyone else, it is 20 euros per person, and has to be paid online (or within the app).

Most of the time, an ETIAS application is approved in just a couple of minutes. When you fill out the application, you'll provide your email. This is where you'll receive confirmation that your ETIAS has been approved and you're good to go.

Though approval happens in just a few minutes for most travelers, it doesn't always. It can take up to 96 hours for approval.

In some cases, while it's less common, your ETIAS for Belgium can be denied. If it's denied, for whatever reason, you will be notified by email within 96 hours of submission. The email will also tell you the reason(s) your ETIAS has been rejected.

Also uncommon, authorities could need to see more information before making a final decision. If this is the case, within 96 hours of submitting your application, you'll receive an email requesting additional details or even an interview. If more information is needed, a decision could take up to 30 days to be made, providing you've submitted all of the necessary supplementary details.

Travel permissions & allowances

When approved, your ETIAS for Belgium is valid for up to three years, or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. Still, you can always reapply.

Having an ETIAS for Belgium isn't the same thing as having a visa for Belgium. You can think of ETIAS kind of like permission to enter the country and Schengen zone.

It doesn't allow you to search for/get a job in Belgium, work remotely in Belgium, or start any kind of immigration process. It also doesn't allow you to stay for as long as you want. Visa-exempt travelers with ETIAS can stay in Belgium for up to 90 days within each 180-day period.

Belgium ETIAS FAQs

• ETIAS is required for visitors to Belgium who do not have a Schengen visa/passport from 2026 on.
• The ETIAS application is online and only takes a few minutes.
• Once approved, your ETIAS is valid for 3 years or until your passport expires – whichever comes first.
• Belgian citizens and Schengen country citizens do not need ETIAS.
• Current Belgium visa holders do not need ETIAS.

Do I need ETIAS for Belgium?

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I have a Belgian visa. Do I need ETIAS?

Do US citizens need ETIAS for Belgium?

Do UK citizens need ETIAS for Belgium?