Travel to Belgium

All information for those wishing to come to Belgium.

Visa and BREXIT

Below you will find all the information about Brexit and your visa.
  1. Last updated on

End of free movement law in the UK and for UK nationals and their family members

  • 31 December 2020 at 23h59 Central European Time → Transition period ends
  • As of 1 January 2021 at 00h00 Central European Time → UK nationals are treated as third country nationals
  • UK nationals are no longer “persons enjoying the rights of free movement under Union law”
  • EU free movement law no longer applies to and in the UK, including for EU citizens and their family members residing in the UK

Principles

  • Residence cards issued by the UK under Directive 2004/38/EC to family members of EU citizens residing in the UK will no longer have visa exempting effect
  • Residence cards issued by the UK under the EU Settlement Scheme to family members of EU citizens residing in the UK do not have visa exempting effect
  • Amendment of the Visa Regulation to exempt UK nationals from the visa requirement for short stays enters into force on 1 January 2021

Third Country National (TCN) family members of UK nationals residing in the UK

  • Directive 2004/38/EC will no longer apply to TCN family members of UK nationals residing in the UK.
  • TCN family members of UK nationals will have to fulfil all the rules of the Visa Code applicable to third‑country nationals.
  • The maximum length of authorised stay will be limited to 90 days within 180 days (‘short stay visa’).
  • TCN family member not already holding a visa and intending to travel as of 1 January 2021 must apply for a short stay visa under the general rules applicable to third-country nationals in accordance with the Visa Code.
  • Possibility to use visas already issued by EU MS but TCN family member need to fulfil, in addition, the entry conditions applicable to third-country nationals.

TCN family members of EU citizens residing in the UK

  • UK issued residence cards will no longer exempt from the visa requirement.
  • TCN family members will have to apply for an entry visa at the consulate of the EU MS of their main destination.
  • For travels to an EU MS of which the EU citizen is NOT a national, the TCN family members will continue to benefit from Directive 2004/38/EC and its visa facilitations.
  • For travels to the EU MS of which the citizen is a national, the general entry and visa conditions as laid down in the Schengen Borders Code and in the Visa Code applicable to third‑country nationals will apply for TCN family members.
  • Residence cards issued by the UK under the EUSS do not exempt from the visa requirement.