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Belgium travel insurance

Maybe you're planning to sample Belgian chocolates in Antwerp. Or maybe you want to spend some time strolling the cobblestone streets of Bruges. Wherever you're headed in Belgium, you'll need travel insurance, and we can help you get it.

Read on to find out more about your travel insurance options for Belgium. Or, if you’re ready, select ‘Get a quote’ to begin comparing policies!

Alvaro Iturmendi - Confused.com travel insurance expert

Reviewed by Alvaro Iturmendi Travel insurance expert 8 min read | Published 14/08/2024

Our expert panel review all content. Learn more about our editorial standards and how we operate.

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Important information

All insurance products can offer cover for known events. These are global events that can be dangerous and/or disrupt travel arrangements. An example of this is the Covid-19 pandemic. This exclusion is valid if the event was declared a ‘known event’ when your travel insurance was purchased.

If you travel against Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) advice, you won’t be covered by any travel insurance you buy. The same applies if you fail to meet the destination’s entry requirements.

There are currently no travel advisories in place for Belgium. So, you should be able to purchase travel insurance and travel to Belgium with no restrictions*.

*Correct as of August 2024

Do I need travel insurance to travel to Belgium?

Travel insurance isn’t a legal requirement for Belgium, but it’s worth thinking about. With the right policy, you could have the peace of mind that you’re covered financially should anything go wrong.

For example, medical treatment in Belgium can be expensive. Having travel insurance can mean you'll be covered if you need emergency treatment, without having to worry about expenses. Plus, most standard policies also include repatriation. So, if you need to come home to the UK for treatment, you're covered there, too. Phew.

Choosing the right policy for your trip

To make sure you have the right cover for your Belgian getaway, you’ll need European travel insurance.

Depending on your personal circumstances, you can choose between the following policy types:

Single-trip travel insurance

If you’re planning a one-off trip to Belgium, single-trip travel insurance is what you’ll need. This policy covers you for one trip from the day you buy your policy until you return.

Annual multi-trip travel insurance

Taking multiple trips in a year? An annual multi-trip policy might be what you’re looking for. This type of policy usually covers up to 31 days per trip, across a timeframe of 12 months.

Backpacker travel insurance

If your Belgium trip is part of a larger trip, a backpacker travel insurance is worth thinking about. This type of policy can cover trips between 2 and 18 months across multiple countries.

What our travel insurance expert says

"Travel insurance for Belgium is a no-brainer. Why? Well, it can make sure you're covered for the unexpected hiccups you might face during your trip, like medical emergencies or lost luggage. Plus, with optional add-ons, like adventure insurance, you'll be able to easily tailor your policy to your trip.

"So, whether you'll be strolling through quaint Bruges or hiking the Ardennes - enjoy your Belgian adventure with the peace of mind only travel insurance can bring."

Alvaro Iturmendi Travel insurance expert

What does travel insurance for Belgium cover?

What's usually covered:

Cancellation and curtailment cover: If you need to cancel your trip or come home early because of unforeseen circumstances. For example, sudden illness.
Lost, stolen, or damaged luggage: If any of your luggage gets accidentally lost, damaged or stolen. Usually, most insurers cover personal items too, like your passport.
Emergency medical treatment and repatriation: If you need to receive emergency medical treatment while in Belgium. Or, if you need to be returned to the UK for treatment.
Flight cancellation: If you get delayed for a reason out of your control, or if your flight is cancelled.

What's usually not covered:

Certain activities and sports: High-risk activities and sports aren't usually covered by standard travel insurance, like paragliding.
Undeclared, pre-existing medical conditions: Pre-existing medical conditions can be covered by travel insurance. But, you'll need to make your provider aware. If you don't declare any medical conditions you have, you won't be able to claim for any treatment you need while abroad.
Travelling against government advice: If the FCDO advises against travel to a certain destination, but you go anyway.
Incidents caused by drug or alcohol use: If illness, injury or death results from being under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

How much is Belgium travel insurance?

The price of travel insurance for Belgium can be different for everyone.

This is because the price depends on personal needs and the nature of the trip. But, to give you an idea, here's a few examples of the most affordable policies for a holiday to Belgium:

Policy type	Price
Single-trip travel insurance	£2.05¹
Annual travel insurance	£10.85²
Backpacker travel insurance	£37.98³

¹Cheapest single-trip policy for 3 days in Belgium, 30 year old with no medical conditions - Confused.com data - August 2024
²Cheapest annual policy covering Europe, 30 year old with no medical conditions - Confused.com data - August 2024
³Cheapest backpacker policy for 3 months in Europe, 30 year old with no medical conditions - Confused.com data - August 2024

Medical care in Belgium

Belgian healthcare is considered to be one of the best in Europe. It's subsidised for Belgian citizens. This means that it can be offered at a reduced cost for individuals within a certain income level. In some cases, it can be free.

But, if you have a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC), or a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) you might still need to pay for any treatment you need. That's where travel insurance comes in.

A travel insurance policy can cover you for any emergency medical treatment you need. For example, due to injury or a sudden illness. Most policies can also cover you for pre-existing conditions, like diabetes. But remember, you’ll need to make sure that you’ve declared any conditions to your provider to be covered.

Keep in mind, you'll likely need to pay for non-emergency consultations or prescriptions. But, you might be able to be reimbursed for any money you spend through travel insurance. Just check with your provider to see what you’re covered for.

Top tip: The FCDO has a medical provider directory. You can use it to see which medical providers have staff that can speak English.

Travel insurance for activities while in Belgium

It’s a good idea to think about what activities you’d like to do during your Belgian getaway! Sometimes, certain activities won’t be covered by standard travel insurance.

But the good news is that when you take out a policy, you can add optional extras to your policy for an additional cost. These include:

Golf cover: From the Royal Antwerp Golf Club to the Royal Zoute Golf Club, there's plenty of places to play golf in Belgium. If you'll be enjoying a round, this add-on can cover you for your golf equipment, green fees and more.
Adventure sports cover: This add-on covers you for certain activities that insurers consider 'high-risk'. So, if you're planning to river raft in the Ardennes or rock climb in Freyr, you'll need this add-on.
Winter sports cover: This covers activities like snowboarding or skiing. With this add-on, you'll be covered for things like piste closure and lost ski passes. So, if skiing in Mont des Brumes is on your to-do list, you'll need this add-on.

Top tip: Don't forget, what's covered in a standard policy can vary from insurer to insurer. So, read the policy wording carefully to know what's included. That way, you'll know whether or not you'll need to pay for any optional extras. Sorted!

Do I need a visa to travel to Belgium?

No, you won’t need a visa.

This is because Belgium is within the Schengen area. This means you’ll be able to travel to Belgium and the 25 other countries within the Schengen area freely. But this only applies to trips lasting up to 90 days across a 180-day period.

But, to be granted entry into Belgium, you’ll still need to make sure your passport is:

Valid for a minimum of 3 months after the day that your trip comes to an end
Issued less than 10 years before the day of your arrival.

Helpful hint: If you're going to be staying in Belgium for longer than 90 days in a 180-day period, you'll need a visa. Check what type of visa you'll need with the Belgian Embassy in the UK.

Tips for travelling to Belgium

Here are our tips to get the most out of your Belgian adventure:

Currency

The currency in Belgium is the Euro, and there’s a tipping culture. It’s customary to round up the bill to the nearest euro and leave a small tip as thanks for good service.

Vaccinations

There aren’t any vaccinations currently advised for Belgium. But, you can always stay up to date with entry requirements.

Driving in Belgium

You can legally drive in Belgium with your UK driving licence, but don't forget they drive on the right-hand side! If you’re staying in Belgium for more than 185 days, you’ll need to apply for an International Driving Permit.

Top tip: In an emergency? You can phone ‘112’ from anywhere in Europe for emergency service assistance.

Time difference

Belgium is one hour ahead of the United Kingdom.

Language

Belgium has 3 official languages: Dutch, French, and German. But English is widely spoken by many Belgians as their second or third language.

Plug sockets

Belgium uses type-E plug sockets. So, if you're taking any appliances with you, you'll need to take a UK power adapter with you to be able to use them.