Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Update 22/5/2020
No consular services
As from March 23 and until further notice, the Embassy of Belgium in London is closed for consular services. Only emergency cases will be handled. For these cases, please contact us by phone: +44 (0)20 7470 3700 or email: london@diplobel.fed.be.
With the current measures in place in the UK we remind you to stay at home as much as possible, to limit social contact outside your household and to respect the social distancing measures when you go out. Fines are imposed in case of violation.
Follow UK guidelines
The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases remains high in the UK. Therefore, the UK authorities retain the risk to the public as “high”. Since Monday 23 March, a strict containment system has been put in place for the entire territory. People are asked to stay at home as much as possible, to work from home if they can, to stay alert when going outside and to respect social distancing measures.
When going outside, the following measures must be followed:
- A distance of 2 meters between persons must be respected;
- Wash your hands as soon as you get home;
- A facial cover is recommended when you are in an enclosed space with people who do not belong to your household (eg. public transport).
For further information regarding the regime in place in the UK, please visit the UK government’s FAQ website on Coronavirus: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-outbreak-faqs-what-you-can-and-cant-do/coronavirus-outbreak-faqs-what-you-can-and-cant-do
We strongly recommend to follow the instructions of the UK authorities, namely those of the UK Department of Health and Social Care: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-information-for-the-public (in English) and of the National Health Service (NHS): https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/ (in English). Please monitor these sites regularly since updates are likely to be made swiftly.
Travelling
Steps are being taken worldwide to curb the spread of the coronavirus and stem the pandemic. The virus has spread worldwide and can therefore affect your travel. These trips do not help to fight the spread of the virus. Numerous countries have adopted quarantine measures or have closed their borders so that crossing them can no longer be guaranteed. Non-essential travel from and outside Belgium is prohibited until 8 June. The alleviation on restrictions to visit only apply to people currently residing in Belgium. International border crossing, with a limited number of exceptions remains forbidden. For essential travel to the UK, there is from 8 June a quarantine obligation of 14 days upon arrival in the country.
Belgians who are still abroad for a short period, such as tourists or students, should return to Belgium without delay or, failing this, to be willing to run the risk of staying longer than expected at their place of destination. Housing, finances, family, insurance, medical condition and health care are things to consider. If you choose to return, please check the availability of the usual commercial routes and contact your tour operator, travel agent or airline.
People who reside permanently abroad have to decide for themselves whether staying there is the best option. Take into account that few commercial options remain available and that it may be difficult to return to Belgium at this stage.
Currently, there are still commercial options available for traveling from the UK to Belgium, such as Eurostar (www.eurostar.com) and Eurotunnel (www.eurotunnel.com). Please consult the respective websites for the latest information.
For transit from the UK to Belgium via France: the borders remain open, but the French authorities only allow travel of European nationals and persons with a right of residence returning home through the French territory. Other EU Member States apply the same rule. The exception certificate necessary for international travel through France is available on https://media.interieur.gouv.fr/deplacement-vers-france-covid-19/index-en.html
Belgian nationals, people with their main residence in Belgium and long-term residents are asked to comply with two conditions upon their return to Belgium:
- The person must remain in isolation at home for 14 days; AND
- The person is prohibited from working outside for 14 days (even if s/he works in an essential sector); telework is still allowed.
For more details, please go to: https://www.info-coronavirus.be/en/faq/#006 or contact the Crisis Center in Belgium: 0800 14 689 (in Belgium) or +32 78 15 17 71 (from abroad) – open from 9am to 6pm (7/7)
More information
In case of emergency, our Embassies, Consulates as well as the general call centre in Brussels (+32 2 501 4000 - https://www.facebook.com/Diplomatie.Belgium – FB chat: m.me/diplomatie.belgium) are ready to assist Belgian compatriots abroad.
It is also important that our citizens take responsibility and follow the instructions of the competent local authorities closely (see above). In these highly exceptional circumstances, even the resources of the Belgian Embassies are limited.
Our travel advice is updated on a regular basis, please consult the pages regularly:
(FR) : https://diplomatie.belgium.be/fr/Services/voyager_a_letranger/conseils_p...
(NL) : https://diplomatie.belgium.be/nl/Diensten/Op_reis_in_het_buitenland/reis...
Communication from the Federal Public Service Foreign Affairs: Rights of Belgian citizens in the context of Brexit
On 17 October 2019, a new agreement was concluded between the European Union (EU) and the United Kingdom on an orderly exit of the United Kingdom from the EU. The agreement was ratified and entered into force on 1 February 2020. Since that date, the United Kingdom is no longer part of the EU.
On 1 February 2020 the transition period has officially commenced. This period will normally run until 31 December 2020, but it might be extended by one or two years. Notwithstanding the fact that the United Kingdom is no longer a member of the EU, it will remain bound by EU rules during this period but it will no longer be present in the European institutions. Everything else stays the same. EU citizens and Brits can travel, live and work in the exact same conditions as before. After this period, EU citizens and Brits who settled in the UK or EU before 31 december 2020 and registered themselves in time will largely retain the same rights. This has been agreed upon in the withdrawal agreement.
During this period, the EU and the United Kingdom will negotiate the future framework for their relations. When there is more info on this, we will update you.
Given the current developments surrounding Brexit, the information on this website is susceptible to change in light of political events. This information does not constitute legal advice. Neither the FPS Foreign Affairs nor the Belgian Embassy in London are in a position to provide such advice.
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© Tom D'Haenens
I hope that you enjoy our website - a portal into Belgium's presence in the UK.
Are you a Belgian citizen living in the United Kingdom or thinking of moving to the UK? Please register with the Embassy in London. Our consular services provide information about how to register, apply for identity cards and passports. Please note that since October 2011, Belgians residing in the UK have to book an appointment and come in person to the Embassy in London to apply for a new passport.
You are interested in travelling to Belgium or would like to study, work or do business there, please check the Travel to Belgium section. If you need a visa, an easy and quick application is available via the ‘Visa Application Centre’. Details can be found on https://be.tlscontact.com/gb/LON/index.php.
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If you have any questions and/or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us on london@diplobel.fed.be.
